Mask policy changed effective Feb 14th

[ginadcnj]

27 minutes ago, The sea calls my name said:

That is fact. It was reported today On Vicki Freed's Coffee talk. Mask are not required in the Casinos and smoking can resume after Feb 15.  I was hoping this was an avenue to end it once and for all. 

Same. I was looking forward to spending a little time in the casino on our April Oasis cruise, but I suppose this is better for my budget! 

[mom2tcdx2]

Will be disappointed if they allow smoking in the casino on our March cruise.  Sadly I can't handle the smoke and then get a horrible sore throat if I spend even just a tiny bit of time in there.  So alas, if they do then I will save a little money.  Can't say I would miss the mask, though my sister will be taking a 2 year old who would still need to wear one.  Part of him possibly being compliant was showing that everyone else was wearing one too.  

[bucfan2]

3 minutes ago, mom2tcdx2 said:

 my sister will be taking a 2 year old who would still need to wear one.  Part of him possibly being compliant was showing that everyone else was wearing one too.  

Well, let's just hope that the upcoming 'good' removes the silliness of that requirement as well.

[lovesthebeach2]

4 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

Man oh man...can't afford x all the time lol.

Celebrity doesn’t allow smoking in the casino? 

[davekathy]

3 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Celebrity doesn’t allow smoking in the casino? 

Nope. And this isn't a recent change either. The casinos have always been busy on the Celebrity cruises we have been on. No where inside there ships. Kudos to Celebrity. 

Edited February 9, 2022 by davekathy

[bucfan2]

7 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Celebrity doesn’t allow smoking in the casino? 

No they don't!  And when they relieve their protocols, they may very well go back to no masking!!

[lovesthebeach2]

5 minutes ago, davekathy said:

Nope. And this isn't a recent change either. The casinos have always been busy on the Celebrity cruises we have been on. No where inside there ships. Kudos to Celebrity. 

Thanks…good to hear, we’ve always cruised Royal but planned to book Celebrity when we are onboard Mariner.

[xpcdoojk]

1 hour ago, bucfan2 said:

Don't be sorry...it's a day to celebrate!  Ignore the comments you don't like and smile at reality.  Good things are coming, and soon!!

Maybe not where she lives.  Darn I did it again.  😂

 

Hi Peggy.  

 

JC

[davekathy]

2 minutes ago, lovesthebeach2 said:

Thanks…good to hear, we’ve always cruised Royal but planned to book Celebrity when we are onboard Mariner.

And remember your C&A tier level is reciprocal on Celebrity up to the CC elite. 

[Pandamonia]

With the UK government lifting ALL restrictions and covid powers in theory the cruise lines can operate without masks from Southampton and FULL capacity. 

 

This will be a major competitive advantage and probably cause other countries and lines to follow for fear of losing bookings. 

 

So much for USA land of the free. Free as long as the CDC say so. 

[LucasLikesToCruise]

4 hours ago, UNCFanatik said:

 

Oh I agree, these are the same people that would love to see children stay masked in schools forever. But Royal needs to stop catering to this anti-science and anti-data crowd and look at the data for themselves. Have health protocols that are grounded in reality and data from the last 2 years and not just have protocols because they want to project safety. The US national pivot is already happening because of politics and Royal needs to drop masking protocols all together. 

 

And again, if individuals want to wear masks, I am all about their freedom to do so

 

But don’t you know that some people can never be happy unless EVERYONE does things exactly the way that they expect them to be done.  🤷🏼‍♂️🤔

[LucasLikesToCruise]

4 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

Bummer...play along on day 1...you'll be good to go the remainder of the cruise (my understanding it'll be fleet wide on 14Feb).  Hopefully more good news comes along as well.

Yeah,  because we all know that “the science” miraculously changes at the stroke of midnight on 2/13 in all the various time zones.  🤔

[LucasLikesToCruise]

13 minutes ago, Pandamonia said:

With the UK government lifting ALL restrictions and covid powers in theory the cruise lines can operate without masks from Southampton and FULL capacity. 

 

This will be a major competitive advantage and probably cause other countries and lines to follow for fear of losing bookings. 

 

So much for USA land of the free. Free as long as the CDC say so. 

All depends on what state you are in.  Thank God for states rights. 😁

[PerferWarmWeather]

Thanks OP

[NightOne]

6 hours ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Masks no longer required in vaccinated only areas starting Feb 14th

 

Now let's get unvaccinated OFF the ships so there are no more unvaccinated areas. 😱

[karena1]

6 hours ago, skagen said:

AWESOME.  Wonder how this applies to the fitness center... I used it once during my last cruise and ran with a mask which was painful - I recall before the "mask-everywhere" there was a carve out for when you were running on a treadmill/etc; in such a case you didn't need to wear a mask.

 

Technically, "In any pool or activity where they may become wet" - sweating count? 🙂

I went to the gym at 6 am on Freedom this weekend.  There was no one there when I got there, so did not wear my mask at all.  Later a few people came in, maybe 7 or 8 and only 1 person had their mask on, no one else did.

[Maitaivegas]

So I was reading about changes coming to RCI and no masks in any vaccinated only areas, effective 2/14. Was really hoping that change would come after my cruise.

The comedy club in Blazes is so small and then add people laughing with no masks on, my night time entertainment options is rapidly shrinking.

[Ken at the beach]

10 minutes ago, NightOne said:

 

Now let's get unvaccinated OFF the ships so there are no more unvaccinated areas. 😱

Given that Royal is a family cruise line there are many thst do not share that thought.

[skagen]

7 minutes ago, karena1 said:

I went to the gym at 6 am on Freedom this weekend.  There was no one there when I got there, so did not wear my mask at all.  Later a few people came in, maybe 7 or 8 and only 1 person had their mask on, no one else did.

 

Yep, I moved my mask down to where my nose wasn't covered during my run and I was the only person in the whole fitness area I think - I should have just taken the darned thing off.  Thankfully this will slowly become a non-issue - I can't imagine how regular fitness center attendees manage if they run much and have to wear a mask each time.

 

I loved loved loved the track on deck 5; over .4 miles each time around - just a little warm outside for a run but better than the fitness center.

[karena1]

5 minutes ago, skagen said:

 

Yep, I moved my mask down to where my nose wasn't covered during my run and I was the only person in the whole fitness area I think - I should have just taken the darned thing off.  Thankfully this will slowly become a non-issue - I can't imagine how regular fitness center attendees manage if they run much and have to wear a mask each time.

 

I loved loved loved the track on deck 5; over .4 miles each time around - just a little warm outside for a run but better than the fitness center.

Thankfully my gym at home as never required masks when working out.  Would have been a deal breaker if they had, I would have just worked out on my equipment at home or walked outside.

[binro01]

20 minutes ago, Maitaivegas said:

So I was reading about changes coming to RCI and no masks in any vaccinated only areas, effective 2/14. Was really hoping that change would come after my cruise.

The comedy club in Blazes is so small and then add people laughing with no masks on, my night time entertainment options is rapidly shrinking.

If you are worried about it, you can use a well fitted N95 mask. I personally keep a stock of them and use them if I feel I'm in an area where the virus could be prevalent. (Sporting events, Walmart, etc) I will not be bringing them on my cruise. Royal has stated that their vaccination rate has been in the mid 90s, everyone is tested prior to boarding. The danger is greater at my Gym than any cruise.

Even if everyone wore a mask, most people would use a cloth masks, and if you were waring one too, it would be effectively the same as not waring one.

An N95 mask will solve this for you and you can continue with your night time entertainment without fear.

[NightOne]

30 minutes ago, Ourusualbeach said:

Given that Royal is a family cruise line there are many thst do not share that thought.

 

Don't care about the rug rats LOL

 

I agree with you: others may not share this view.

Edited February 9, 2022 by NightOne

[Jasukkie]

Any idea on changes in capacity? I'm more concerned about that than masks.

[NightOne]

2 hours ago, bucfan2 said:

No they don't!  And when they relieve their protocols, they may very well go back to no masking!!

 

Just updated today:

 

"Effective for all sailings departing February 12, 2022 forward, masks will not be required onboard for vaccinated guests unless attending activities in the Theatre or Casino. Masks will continue to be required for unvaccinated guests, under 12 years old, at all times indoors except while eating or drinking."

[Ken at the beach]

6 minutes ago, NightOne said:

 

Just updated today:

 

"Effective for all sailings departing February 12, 2022 forward, masks will not be required onboard for vaccinated guests unless attending activities in the Theatre or Casino. Masks will continue to be required for unvaccinated guests, under 12 years old, at all times indoors except while eating or drinking."

Do you have a link to that, I cant seem to find it.  Everything I see still indicates the 14th and it still requires masks on board in unvaccinated areas

Edited February 9, 2022 by Ourusualbeach