Mask requirements on QM2

[Reggiefan]

I am one who currently opposes a mask mandate, especially on a Transatlantic crossing. I have no issue with--and indeed welcome--any requirements of vaccination and proof of a negative Covid test before boarding. But I am booked on a Transatlantic crossing in 2023--I have pushed it back more than once--and will push the crossing back again if there is a mask mandate. My reasons: 

 

1. The appeal of a TA crossing for me is its ambience and elegance and reminder of the past. Wearing a mask undermines that appeal.

 

2. Requirements such as vaccination and a negative test should dramatically reduce the chances of catching Covid. 

 

3. Those wanting to wear a mask can wear one.

 

4. The protection provided by a mask seems especially small when in many settings passengers can be seated next to one another for extended periods--restaurants and bars--without wearing a mask.

 

5. My position does depend on the circumstances. If a new variant emerges that is highly contagious and is too often causing hospitalization, that would be totally different. In that instance, one should not be cruising regarding of the mitigation measures taken. But it seems that going forward, we may have to accept Covid as a one more health concern and get on with life.

 

Note my purpose is not to initiate a debate on Covid mitigation measures. But I did want to say that a mask mandate (except for medical facilities) defeats my reasons for sailing, and I will cancel or push back my sailing rather than wear a mask on board.

[mcloaked]

2 minutes ago, Reggiefan said:

I am one who currently opposes a mask mandate, especially on a Transatlantic crossing. I have no issue with--and indeed welcome--any requirements of vaccination and proof of a negative Covid test before boarding. But I am booked on a Transatlantic crossing in 2023--I have pushed it back more than once--and will push the crossing back again if there is a mask mandate. My reasons: 

 

1. The appeal of a TA crossing for me is its ambience and elegance and reminder of the past. Wearing a mask undermines that appeal.

 

2. Requirements such as vaccination and a negative test should dramatically reduce the chances of catching Covid. 

 

3. Those wanting to wear a mask can wear one.

 

4. The protection provided by a mask seems especially small when in many settings passengers can be seated next to one another for extended periods--restaurants and bars--without wearing a mask.

 

5. My position does depend on the circumstances. If a new variant emerges that is highly contagious and is too often causing hospitalization, that would be totally different. In that instance, one should not be cruising regarding of the mitigation measures taken. But it seems that going forward, we may have to accept Covid as a one more health concern and get on with life.

 

Note my purpose is not to initiate a debate on Covid mitigation measures. But I did want to say that a mask mandate (except for medical facilities) defeats my reasons for sailing, and I will cancel or push back my sailing rather than wear a mask on board.

 

Of course any potential passenger is entitled to cancel if he/she does not wish to cooperate with a Cunard mask mandate.  However there is still some fraction of folk who don't appreciate that the primary purpose of wearing a mask is not to protect the wearer from being infected by others, but to protect other people from catching it from that person if they should be infected and possibly unaware of it. Any one person can in principle infect an awful lot of other people whilst they are infected.

[Reggiefan]

Mcclouded, thanks for your response. My intent was not to start a debate on Covid mandates, and I have already stated my position. But my intent was to state that for at least one person booked on a future TA crossing, if circumstances require a mask mandate, then perhaps I should not be sailing at all. Even with a mask mandate, chances are you will be seated next to others for extended periods with no one wearing a mask unless passenger capacity is materially reduced, there is social distancing at meals, and the bars are closed.

[Bell Boy]

MASK UPDATE :

 

It appears Cunard have revised their announcement re the relaxation of Face Masks  

 

Originally the announcement from Cunard was,  as of the '27th March' there would be a relaxation of Face Masks, eg when walking around the ship and only mandatory  in certain venues for example the Theatre and visiting the Medical Centre etc.

 

The revised announcement now states the relaxation is for the Q. Elizabeth only, however, for QM2 the proposed relaxation will now take effect from the 18th April .   

[BigMac1953]

Hi Everybody

 

My son and his new wife are on the 24 April round trip.

 

What do they need to do to enter NYC and then return to the ship a few hours later? I can't find anything definitive.

[navybankerteacher]

2 hours ago, mcloaked said:

 

Of course any potential passenger is entitled to cancel if he/she does not wish to cooperate with a Cunard mask mandate.  However there is still some fraction of folk who don't appreciate that the primary purpose of wearing a mask is not to protect the wearer from being infected by others, but to protect other people from catching it from that person if they should be infected and possibly unaware of it. Any one person can in principle infect an awful lot of other people whilst they are infected.

Good post — the lack of understanding about masks continually amazes me;  but it reflects the sorry attitude of people who seem to accept only those measures which they see as designed to protect themselves.

[ace2542]

30 minutes ago, Bell Boy said:

MASK UPDATE :

 

It appears Cunard have revised their announcement re the relaxation of Face Masks  

 

Originally the announcement from Cunard was,  as of the '27th March' there would be a relaxation of Face Masks, eg when walking around the ship and only mandatory  in certain venues for example the Theatre and visiting the Medical Centre etc.

 

The revised announcement now states the relaxation is for the Q. Elizabeth only, however, for QM2 the proposed relaxation will now take effect from the 18th April .   

I must have misread it then. I thought it was the other way around QM2 first then QE on April 18th

[Windsurfboy]

14 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

Good post — the lack of understanding about masks continually amazes me;  but it reflects the sorry attitude of people who seem to accept only those measures which they see as designed to protect themselves.

 

It's also about time with or without mask

 

2 hours spent legitimately sitting in a bar with out a mask ,  verus a 2 minute walk to toilet, then putting mask on for 2 minutes has very little effect on risk to others.

 

Whilst 1 hour in theatre a mask has a significant impact on the safety of  others.

 

Whilst there are so many legitimate  places inside where you do not need need to wear a mask this lowers the protection of mask polcy to others

 

 

[Bell Boy]

1 minute ago, ace2542 said:

I must have misread it then. I thought it was the other way around QM2 first then QE on April 18th

No, I've just had confirmation from a couple of friends who have embarked QE this morning  ( 3/4/22)

Mask wearing is only required in the Theatre /Casino and any visit to the medical centre . However, many guests are still being cautious and wearing them until they seated in a  Bar/Restaurant venue etc. 

[netpj]

It  would be appreciated if someone could post the link to the latest Cunard announcement about masks.  I was not able to find this latest information.  Thanks.

[ace2542]

10 minutes ago, Bell Boy said:

No, I've just had confirmation from a couple of friends who have embarked QE this morning  ( 3/4/22)

Mask wearing is only required in the Theatre /Casino and any visit to the medical centre . However, many guests are still being cautious and wearing them until they seated in a  Bar/Restaurant venue etc. 

Yet still no outbreak on the QE this time. I think we would have heard about it by now if there was.

[Host Hattie]

5 minutes ago, ace2542 said:

Yet still no outbreak on the QE this time. I think we would have heard about it by now if there was.

It's turnaround day for Queen Elizabeth today

[ace2542]

1 minute ago, Host Hattie said:

It's turnaround day for Queen Elizabeth today

So there have been no cases onboard this past sailing then?

[mcloaked]

15 minutes ago, netpj said:

It  would be appreciated if someone could post the link to the latest Cunard announcement about masks.  I was not able to find this latest information.  Thanks.

 

Go to the web page https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/frequently-asked-questions.sailing-with-confidence.faq610.summary" and click the + sign on the question:  "Will the guests be expected to wear face-masks on the ship and on shore?" if it is not already visible.

Edited April 3, 2022 by mcloaked

[mcloaked]

In case for any reason the link I posted does not work here is the text copied from Cunard's web page a minute ago:

 

Whilst we highly recommend that guests wear masks on board, they are only required in the theatre, cinema, or if you visit the medical centre. Your mask must cover your nose and mouth and be of good quality (ideally medical grade). Re-usable masks should be washed regularly, and visors and face shields aren’t accepted as a substitute for a face mask.

Off the ship, masks are required during embarkation, disembarkation, and when using tender boats*. Some destinations may also require you to wear masks when ashore and we recommend taking one with you whenever you disembark the ship.

All guests will need to comply with this face mask policy in order to travel.

For more information on Cunard's return to sailing, visit our Covid-19 hub.

*Applies to Cunard voyages sailing on or after 27 March 2022 on Queen Elizabeth and departures from 18 April on Queen Mary 2. If sailing before these dates, please refer to our previously communicated policy, which can be found in emails relating to your voyage.

[Bell Boy]

2 hours ago, ace2542 said:

So there have been no cases onboard this past sailing then?

The immediate past sailing has only been a quick four/five day sailing to Amsterdam, I expect no time for feedback.  However , read the constructive posts from rakkor ( and Jane) 18th March  

[mcloaked]

36 minutes ago, Bell Boy said:

The immediate past sailing has only been a quick four/five day sailing to Amsterdam, I expect no time for feedback.  However , read the constructive posts from rakkor ( and Jane) 18th March  

 

and maybe also less likely there were cases during such a short voyage too.  On the Norway voyage the cases numbers did not rise much until after the first four or five days.

[roscoe39]

11 hours ago, ace2542 said:

I don't understand what this means?

steel tube..... - aeroplane 

[Lakesregion]

6 hours ago, BigMac1953 said:

Hi Everybody

 

My son and his new wife are on the 24 April round trip.

 

What do they need to do to enter NYC and then return to the ship a few hours later? I can't find anything definitive.

All covid restrictions expire April 18th unless the "Experts" who know little extend them again. That is on the national level. NYC seems to drift to an entirely different drummer with daily twists and turns, so on one will really know about NYC until the ship docks.

[Windsurfboy]

 

Mask rules are just to cover cruise lines backside which is why new rules make sensr

 

The virus is primarily air born. Mask offer good protection for others , I wear one in most settings e.g supermarket.  However in a ship/ hospitality setting there are just too many places where you spend most of your time that you can legitimately take your mask off. Take a typical sea day. If it's fine I sit outside to read , or bad weather in cabin.

 

The amount of virus I breathe out directly proportional to time with mask off.

 

Walk to breakfast  5 mins mask  on

Breakfast  45 mins mask off

Walk back 5 mins mask on

 

Walk for coffee 5 mins mask on

60 mins having a couple of coffees and chatting mask off 

5 mins back mask on

 

Lunch 5 mins there mask on

60 mins mask off

5 mins back mask on

 

Dinner 5 mins going mask on

120 mins mask off

5 mins mask on

60 mins in bar mask off or 60 mins in theatre mask on

5 mins back mask on.

 

So even obeying rules spend 85% of time with mask off.

 

Hence new rules ,  theatre where you spend hour next to strangers only place it makes a difference. Perhaps also in crowded lifts 

 

 

 

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[chatdad]

Leaving this coming Sunday for a RT out of NYC and just happy to be traveling again.  If masks are deemed to be worn, so be it.  No big deal and means I won't have to pay attention to how close the shave is.  

[Lakesregion]

59 minutes ago, chatdad said:

Leaving this coming Sunday for a RT out of NYC and just happy to be traveling again.  If masks are deemed to be worn, so be it.  No big deal and means I won't have to pay attention to how close the shave is.  

Good point about the shave and for the ladies; over the past two years of living under the mask mandate I have noticed that a mask takes about ten to twenty years off a ladies visual age. So in all things one must look to the good side of things.

 

[lissie]

1 hour ago, Lakesregion said:

Good point about the shave and for the ladies; over the past two years of living under the mask mandate I have noticed that a mask takes about ten to twenty years off a ladies visual age. So in all things one must look to the good side of things.

 

Haven't noticed that - why would you say that about women and not men?   I would be worried if I was a lipstick manufacturer though - I wonder if that will ever come back? 

[Lakesregion]

20 hours ago, lissie said:

Haven't noticed that - why would you say that about women and not men?   I would be worried if I was a lipstick manufacturer though - I wonder if that will ever come back? 

Because I don't eye ball men as I do women. Here in the US where masks are seldom seen anymore, make-up is coming back strong.

[lissie]

14 minutes ago, Lakesregion said:

Because I don't eye ball men as I do women. Here in the US where masks are seldom seen anymore, make-up is coming back strong.

This is quite amusing as I have no idea what sex you are - but I have you down to either gay women or hetero man now  haha.   We have a week in the USA before getting on a cruise I intend to wear a mask in all indoor settings to minimize the risk of being denied boarding. I'm genuinely curious to see how the locals react. 

Edited April 13, 2022 by lissie