Luvcrusn Posted February 10, 2022 #1 Share Posted February 10, 2022 While On Board 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. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cruisestitch Posted February 10, 2022 #2 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Yup https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2829816-12-feb-2022-updated-mask-policy/page/2/#comment-62619613 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phoenix_dream Posted February 10, 2022 #3 Share Posted February 10, 2022 I'm glad to see this. Interesting that they chose to keep masks for Theatre and Casino. I get why to a point. What I don't get is why they limited it to those. Or why they didn't say in those venues if you are not 6' away from someone. Meaning, why not require them when sitting in the Sky Lounge watching entertainment, or playing trivia, etc.. Not sure I get the difference. On my recent cruise, I would go gamble on sea days in the morning when it was virtually empty. No one was ever near me except when walking by. So I would need to wear a mask then, but people sitting for an hour playing trivia would not need to. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me but at least it's a start 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvcrusn Posted February 10, 2022 Author #4 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Just now, cruisestitch said: Yup https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2829816-12-feb-2022-updated-mask-policy/page/2/#comment-62619613 I saw this thread after I posted, sorry for the duplicate. I was very excited by the news! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeRick Posted February 10, 2022 #5 Share Posted February 10, 2022 There is some continued confusion and discussion on these boards on the mask policy due to the CDC's recent update on their "voluntary" guidelines. Stay tuned. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAGA Posted February 10, 2022 #6 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Wish they had included continuation of mask-wearing at buffet…I don’t miss watching people eat off their plate while hovering over the other food displays! Hopefully buffets will continue to be served by crew… Thanks for sharing this update BTW - onboard Apex now with 2nd leg of B2B starting Feb 12. Hadn’t heard anything about it, but in hindsight I see that today’s “Celebrity Today” does not mention anything about masks (although I understand change doesn’t take effect until 2/12). They weren’t doing much mask enforcement anyway (heard first request by crew this morning at buffet - actually refused service to someone) , but will be interesting to see if theater mask compliance will be higher next week. I’m guessing not, as it will be easy to forget mask in cabin if not needed other than casino and theater. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davekathy Posted February 10, 2022 #7 Share Posted February 10, 2022 13 minutes ago, PAGA said: Wish they had included continuation of mask-wearing at buffet… Excellent idea. Makes more since than in the theater. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichYak Posted February 10, 2022 #8 Share Posted February 10, 2022 1 hour ago, phoenix_dream said: I'm glad to see this. Interesting that they chose to keep masks for Theatre and Casino. I get why to a point. What I don't get is why they limited it to those. Or why they didn't say in those venues if you are not 6' away from someone. Meaning, why not require them when sitting in the Sky Lounge watching entertainment, or playing trivia, etc.. Not sure I get the difference. On my recent cruise, I would go gamble on sea days in the morning when it was virtually empty. No one was ever near me except when walking by. So I would need to wear a mask then, but people sitting for an hour playing trivia would not need to. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me but at least it's a start I can only think of 2 reasons why they would carve out the theater and casino: They've kept track of contract tracing data and these are the 2 locations generating the most positives It's just for show Hopefully it's the former. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncgolferette Posted February 10, 2022 #9 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Guess I won’t be gambling on my next cruise if I need to wear a mask. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsblbruce Posted February 10, 2022 #10 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Many will likely avoid the mask requirement by staying put once seated and making good use of the beverage package thereby "actively drinking"! Thinking about this logically, these two locations were likely selected to maintain the mask because in the theatre it's not possible to social distance, and in the casino there is a high degree of touch. They aren't sanitizing machines between people and they don't want someone coughing on hands and then pressing buttons. We are on Silhouette Feb 14 and have a dozen bottles of hand sanitizer that will be used between slots. And after touching elevator buttons. And after touching a handrail. You get the picture. Basically we will marinade ourselves in it over 12 days. This practice is carried forward from previous sailings as I picked up Norovirus onboard an RCCL vessel once and it was hideous... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAGA Posted February 10, 2022 #11 Share Posted February 10, 2022 On Apex, and the casino has been advertising complimentary cocktails during certain hours…not sure how that encourages masks 🤪. Also odd since most everyone has a drink package…but I digress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weregoingcruising Posted February 10, 2022 #12 Share Posted February 10, 2022 4 minutes ago, jsblbruce said: Many will likely avoid the mask requirement by staying put once seated and making good use of the beverage package thereby "actively drinking"! Thinking about this logically, these two locations were likely selected to maintain the mask because in the theatre it's not possible to social distance, and in the casino there is a high degree of touch. They aren't sanitizing machines between people and they don't want someone coughing on hands and then pressing buttons. We are on Silhouette Feb 14 and have a dozen bottles of hand sanitizer that will be used between slots. And after touching elevator buttons. And after touching a handrail. You get the picture. Basically we will marinade ourselves in it over 12 days. This practice is carried forward from previous sailings as I picked up Norovirus onboard an RCCL vessel once and it was hideous... Do you get the buzz from marinating in the alcohol as drinking it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare PTC DAWG Posted February 10, 2022 #13 Share Posted February 10, 2022 23 minutes ago, ncgolferette said: Guess I won’t be gambling on my next cruise if I need to wear a mask. I tend to agree, it’s gonna cost them or me some money…if it costs them enough, look for masking the casino to go away sooner than later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsblbruce Posted February 10, 2022 #14 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Just now, weregoingcruising said: Do you get the buzz from marinating in the alcohol as drinking it? Maybe! Will have to test that theory next week! 😉 Note to file: Do not buy the hand sanitizer with aloe. You leave weird fingerprints on EVERYTHING. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drakes2 Posted February 10, 2022 #15 Share Posted February 10, 2022 2 hours ago, phoenix_dream said: I'm glad to see this. Interesting that they chose to keep masks for Theatre and Casino. I get why to a point. What I don't get is why they limited it to those. Or why they didn't say in those venues if you are not 6' away from someone. Meaning, why not require them when sitting in the Sky Lounge watching entertainment, or playing trivia, etc.. Not sure I get the difference. On my recent cruise, I would go gamble on sea days in the morning when it was virtually empty. No one was ever near me except when walking by. So I would need to wear a mask then, but people sitting for an hour playing trivia would not need to. Doesn't make a lot of sense to me but at least it's a start Absolutely no sense at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weregoingcruising Posted February 10, 2022 #16 Share Posted February 10, 2022 46 minutes ago, jsblbruce said: Maybe! Will have to test that theory next week! 😉 Note to file: Do not buy the hand sanitizer with aloe. You leave weird fingerprints on EVERYTHING. Aloe problem is a great idea if I decide to pursue a life of crime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeeRick Posted February 10, 2022 #17 Share Posted February 10, 2022 1 hour ago, RichYak said: I can only think of 2 reasons why they would carve out the theater and casino: They've kept track of contract tracing data and these are the 2 locations generating the most positives It's just for show Hopefully it's the former. @RichYak was this an intentional play on words pertaining to the theater and reason number 2?😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cbfb Posted February 10, 2022 #18 Share Posted February 10, 2022 3 hours ago, Luvcrusn said: I saw this thread after I posted, sorry for the duplicate. I was very excited by the news! Same here! Posted a duplicate and very excited!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare DCPIV Posted February 10, 2022 #19 Share Posted February 10, 2022 Casino does make sense in that there's a lot of density and a lot of yelling. That doesn't really distinguish it from many other bars, but there's likely something else. It could be (as mentioned) that contact tracing has taught them a few things. It could be the employees. Well never know. Regardless, it's nice to see things moving in a good direction. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvcrusn Posted February 10, 2022 Author #20 Share Posted February 10, 2022 We were onboard Equinox in Nov/Dec 2021 and it was right before Omicron reared its ugly head. At the time masks weren't required of passengers (crew had to wear them) ew eanywhere on board and the ship was only half full. Only 1 case on the next to last sea day, so cruising was great! We did like that the crew was serving the food in the OVC. I do hope that will continue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichYak Posted February 10, 2022 #21 Share Posted February 10, 2022 40 minutes ago, TeeRick said: @RichYak was this an intentional play on words pertaining to the theater and reason number 2?😀 Kind of. Actually, my original number 2 was "It's just theater" but changed it to avoid confusion. 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CalTexCruiser Posted February 10, 2022 #22 Share Posted February 10, 2022 As was explained to me by a dealer in the casino on Apex, they are quite worried about the dealers catching Covid from unmasked passengers because they are already short staffed and would have to shut down tables (read reduce casino revenue) if dealers have to quarantine. They can't easily sub in a waiter from the buffet or MDR to cover a sick dealer. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zitsky Posted February 10, 2022 #23 Share Posted February 10, 2022 I'm glad to see this news. It will make the cruise a lot more enjoyable. I'm triple vaccinated. I don't mind wearing a mask in the theater but I think people should still maintain some distance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sakigemcam Posted February 10, 2022 #24 Share Posted February 10, 2022 I'm a little confused. Aren't they requiring vaccinations for all that can be vaccinated, ie except for children? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zitsky Posted February 10, 2022 #25 Share Posted February 10, 2022 16 minutes ago, sakigemcam said: I'm a little confused. Aren't they requiring vaccinations for all that can be vaccinated, ie except for children? What are you confused about? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts