HAL drops mask mandate as of March 1,2022

[Mary229]

44 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

The airline/airport and cruise terminal mask mandate will automatically expire on 18 March.   No action is required.   Action would be required if they want to extend the mandate.

I am not seeing that expiration date given in the amended order.

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Amended-Global-Testing-Order_12-02-2021-p.pdf

[The-Inside-Cabin]

6 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I am not seeing that expiration date given in the amended order.

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Amended-Global-Testing-Order_12-02-2021-p.pdf

 

6 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I am not seeing that expiration date given in the amended order.

https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/pdf/Amended-Global-Testing-Order_12-02-2021-p.pdf

That link you provided is for the CDC testing requirement.   The airline mask requirement was an order from the TSA.  That's what I am referring to.

 

Statement regarding face mask extension

Statement

Thursday, December 2, 2021

 

Following the President’s order and announcement regarding efforts to combat the Omicron variant, TSA, in conjunction with the CDC, will extend the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through March 18, 2022.

 

Edited February 19, 2022 by The-Inside-Cabin

[cruzin4us]

4 hours ago, Navybikermom said:

Woohoo! As someone who has a hard time breathing with masks on, I am very happy to see this. My upcoming cruise in March will be SO much better!

I have a much harder time seeing.....my glasses fog up and I hate it.....and yes, I've tried everything.   

 

[Mary229]

8 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

 

That link you provided is for the CDC testing requirement.   The airline mask requirement was an order from the TSA.  That's what I am referring to.

 

Statement regarding face mask extension

Statement

Thursday, December 2, 2021

 

Following the President’s order and announcement regarding efforts to combat the Omicron variant, TSA, in conjunction with the CDC, will extend the face mask requirement for individuals across all transportation networks throughout the United States, including at airports, onboard commercial aircraft, on over-the-road buses, and on commuter bus and rail systems through March 18, 2022.

 

That is interesting as it is not in the order.  Thank you. I stand by my speculation that the emergency order will be lifted March 1.

Edited February 19, 2022 by Mary229

[iflyrc5]

10 hours ago, ottahand7 said:

Great news!  We hopefully will have passed COVID test before return to FL and the will have 5 full days mask free on the NS. 😺

The announcement states it is for cruise leaving after Mar 1 so that may mean that those of us on the NS for the Feb 23 cruise will be under the current requirements for the entire cruise.  We have been on board since Feb 2 and wearing a mask is not really that big of a deal and for those of us that are on multiple cruises and have to be tested before the next cruise it does give us some assurance that we will be able to pass our Covid test on board prior to our follow on cruise.  They statement also says it may be required in some venues so we will have to wait and see what they mean.  We will still wear ours in crowded areas while on the ship even if it is not a requirement.

[iflyrc5]

2 hours ago, smbt1 said:

Actually what it says is that they want to make sure the crew is protected, but if the passenger wish to risk it, they are not going to stop them. Especially since those passengers that might get sick will mostly be off of the ship soon and in most cases will not be tested before they leave. As such not part of reported stats, nor any problem they have to deal with.

 

Lets see passengers are on for the length of the cruise, the crew is on board for months for their contract, they live in very tight quarters.  They have potential exposure to every new set of passengers where a case might make it past testing.  If they do get sick the cruise line has to quarantine them off ship and deal with having to have someone fill in for them while they are in quarantine.  If one does get sick those from the crew in close contact may have to quarantine as will.

 

So actually there is science behind it, as well as the desire by the cruise line to limit crew impacts.

Those of us doing back to back cruises are tested on board 2 days before the end of each cruise.  BTW - some of the islands have required guests and locals to wear masks so even if you are not required to wear them on the ship the ports may - we have been on the NS since since Feb 2 and several of the ports had that requirement.

[strickerj]

9 hours ago, Sea42 said:

If you follow the first link in the first post, HAL Travel Well:

IMPORTANT NOTE: Effective with sailings departing March 1, masks are recommended on board but not required. However, masks may be required in certain venues and events. Please pay close attention to onboard signage.

Wait, how is this different from the current requirements? I assume you already aren't required to keep your mask on in your stateroom? (Or if you are, who'd enforce it?)

[Sea42]

15 minutes ago, strickerj said:

Wait, how is this different from the current requirements? I assume you already aren't required to keep your mask on in your stateroom? (Or if you are, who'd enforce it?)

I think it will mean the Main stage shows and maybe places like BB kings where the room is packed with people. Time will tell.

[strickerj]

1 minute ago, Sea42 said:

I think it will mean the Main stage shows and maybe places like BB kings where the room is packed with people. Time will tell.

Oh I see, probably not the dining venues then?

[The-Inside-Cabin]

47 minutes ago, strickerj said:

Wait, how is this different from the current requirements? I assume you already aren't required to keep your mask on in your stateroom? (Or if you are, who'd enforce it?)

Right now you have to mask walking down the hallway - sitting in the theatre - sitting in casino  etc

The new policy no longer requires masking in any area.    They leave the option open for unspecified situations and venues. 

 

They are not going to require masking in shows or BB King - if that was going to be their position , they wouldn't have sent this out.    They just want to reserve the right to reimpose masking if something happens. 

 

After March 1st sailings - masks will only be worn by passengers who want to continue to wear them - don't know about the crew yet.

Edited February 19, 2022 by The-Inside-Cabin

[CruiserBruce]

2 hours ago, strickerj said:

Wait, how is this different from the current requirements? I assume you already aren't required to keep your mask on in your stateroom? (Or if you are, who'd enforce it?)

The current requirement was to keep a mask on in all indoor venues unless eating or drinking.  Of course they aren't enforcing in your cabin...nobody expects that. It's the shows and other venues. 

[Boatdrill]

10 hours ago, ontheweb said:

I think it is clear on this point. It says it is effective for cruises departing March 1st. If you are in progress on March 1st, you have departed prior to that date.

However, the 35 day South Pacific Zuiderdam trip leaves on Feb 27. 

There will be a mutiny if masks are still required for the entire cruise.    

[smbt1]

4 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

Those of us doing back to back cruises are tested on board 2 days before the end of each cruise.  BTW - some of the islands have required guests and locals to wear masks so even if you are not required to wear them on the ship the ports may - we have been on the NS since since Feb 2 and several of the ports had that requirement.

Yes, but the B2B cruises are a pretty small subset of the total number of cruisers that are not tested before they leave.

[iflyrc5]

9 minutes ago, smbt1 said:

Yes, but the B2B cruises are a pretty small subset of the total number of cruisers that are not tested before they leave.

Of the current approx 900 guests on the NS about 250 of us were B2B.

[smbt1]

48 minutes ago, iflyrc5 said:

Of the current approx 900 guests on the NS about 250 of us were B2B.

Still a substantial minority being only 27%.  Most cruise have a far lower ratio.

[smbt1]

2 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

Of the current approx 900 guests on the NS about 250 of us were B2B.

Also keep in mind that if one tests positive on a B2B the answer for the cruise line is simple off they go on turn around day.  While it might add to their statistics, no impact of ship operations at all, unlike if a crew member tests positive and impacts the work schedule.

[VMax1700]

8 hours ago, Boatdrill said:

However, the 35 day South Pacific Zuiderdam trip leaves on Feb 27. 

There will be a mutiny 

Great idea for a book! 😉

[ski ww]

That is good news, although our cruise isn't until July.

[ski ww]

That is good news, although our cruise isn't until July.

[ontheweb]

10 hours ago, Boatdrill said:

However, the 35 day South Pacific Zuiderdam trip leaves on Feb 27. 

There will be a mutiny if masks are still required for the entire cruise.    

I would not doubt that.

[Hlitner]

5 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Great idea for a book! 😉

Perhaps the next HAL newbuild will be called the "Bountydam."

[brainy blonde]

Yippee!  The "almost former" mask mandate was a deal breaker for us.  (The Eurodam Fall crossing was enough for us.)

 

Onward to the Volendam this summer!

[Sea42]

18 hours ago, smbt1 said:

Also keep in mind that if one tests positive on a B2B the answer for the cruise line is simple off they go on turn around day.  While it might add to their statistics, no impact of ship operations at all, unlike if a crew member tests positive and impacts the work schedule.

B2B passengers currently on the Koningsdam, are being allowed to do their (now 5 day) quarantine on the ship.

 

[smbt1]

20 minutes ago, Sea42 said:

B2B passengers currently on the Koningsdam, are being allowed to do their (now 5 day) quarantine on the ship.

 

So it looks like that option started up on the 18th when they went under the new protocol.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 21, 2022 by smbt1

[12cruise2]

I haven't read every post on this thread, but I just saw this just now on the HA web site about mask-wearing through 3/31/22 saying where masks are REQUIRED.  Maybe this part hasn't been updated; aye.:

"WHILE CRUISING
Masks
Through March 31, 2022, all guests are encouraged to wear
face masks. Masks are required in elevators, designated indoor
entertainment areas, retail shops, and in the casino except when
eating or drinking. Guests will be required to wear face masks
prior to being seated in all dining venues and Lido Market and
occasionally in other areas where larger numbers of guests may
congregate (signs will be posted)."