Are masks provided?

[mains_dream]

Hello,

I’m just wondering how many masks to take for a 7 day cruise.  Holland says masks are to be worn on embarkation and disembarkation.  Also in the theatre.  Do they provide disposable masks?

[Linguist208]

On Rotterdam they left 4 masks in the stateroom upon embarkation (2 for each of us) and I seem to recall them saying more were available at guest services or from the stewards (but that's vague, and I may have imagined that).

 

Masks MUST be worn during embarkation and disembarkation, at all ports. You'll need to have your own when you first board.

[mains_dream]

Thank you.

[grest]

These are tight fitting masks to allow no room for air to escape....did not find them comfortable, and wore my own.

[iflyrc5]

1 hour ago, mains_dream said:

Hello,

I’m just wondering how many masks to take for a 7 day cruise.  Holland says masks are to be worn on embarkation and disembarkation.  Also in the theatre.  Do they provide disposable masks?

On the NS in Feb/Mar they provided 2 KN95 masks per person and if you wanted more just ask.

[Mary229]

Cruise tip:  when we filled our prescriptions our pharmacists gave us a bundle of masks, gratis.  We were filling the “extra” so she knew we were traveling for a while 

[Florida_gal_50]

1 hour ago, grest said:

These are tight fitting masks to allow no room for air to escape....did not find them comfortable, and wore my own.

I agree, they were tight.  That's what I liked about them.  If they are hanging under your nose or on your chin they aren't doing any good.  Not saying that was the case with you.

[Crazy For Cats]

On the Eurodam we got six masks.  They also provided a small bag to put them in when you went to dinner.

[VermeulT]

last week on the Rotterdam there were 2 x KN95 masks for each passenger in the stateroom and if you wanted/needed more - the disposable blue ones were available at the front desk.

 

Masks are only REQUIRED for getting on and off the boat in any port, including HMC.  They are RECOMMENDED when inside at all other times, especially in more crowded areas (in theory - world stage, shows, etc).  I'd say maybe 15-20% wore masks indoors.

[Linguist208]

5 hours ago, grest said:

These are tight fitting masks to allow no room for air to escape

...that's kind of the point, actually. If the air you exhale doesn't get filtered by the mask, you might as well not be wearing one.

[ShipWalker]

I'm always amused when I see people wearing the HAL masks upside down. (Cruise hack: the ship goes on the port side.)  😀

[TiogaCruiser]

Just off Zuidie (a few hours ago). 
We (2 of us) got a total of 1 a piece KN95).

Masks we’re required for boarding and disembarking, there was a sign saying masks required in the casino. Towards the beginning of the 10 day cruise, people wore them. Towards the end, about 90% we’re wearing them. The sign was still up.

Masks we’re required on the tenders and Shorex buses. There were a constant handful who didn’t. 

Edited April 13, 2022 by TiogaCruiser

[Florida_gal_50]

7 minutes ago, TiogaCruiser said:

Just off Zuidie (a few hours ago). 
We (2 of us) got a total of 1 a piece KN95).

Masks we’re required for boarding and disembarking, there was a sign saying masks required in the casino. Towards the beginning of the 10 day cruise, people wore them. Towards the end, about 90% we’re wearing them. The sign was still up.

Masks we’re required on the tenders and Shorex buses. There were a constant handful who didn’t. 

That was a pretty good amount wearing them.  There was a dude on the hal Facebook group saying masks are optional.  I said no, they are recommended.  That’s different than being optional.  He said no, it’s the same thing.  That is part of the problem.

[grest]

15 hours ago, ShipWalker said:

I'm always amused when I see people wearing the HAL masks upside down. (Cruise hack: the ship goes on the port side.)  😀

I've been known to do that!

[maui07]

16 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

That was a pretty good amount wearing them.  There was a dude on the hal Facebook group saying masks are optional.  I said no, they are recommended.  That’s different than being optional.  He said no, it’s the same thing.  That is part of the problem.

But if they weren't optional they would require them?! no?

[FlaMariner]

On 4/13/2022 at 11:54 AM, mains_dream said:

Hello,

I’m just wondering how many masks to take for a 7 day cruise.  Holland says masks are to be worn on embarkation and disembarkation.  Also in the theatre.  Do they provide disposable masks?

 

You just need to bring one mask to get you thru the embarkation/check in area and then let HAL provide others if you need them.

 

Have fun!

[Florida_gal_50]

2 hours ago, maui07 said:

But if they weren't optional they would require them?! no?

Why don't they say they are optional then?  They are saying they are recommended.

[maui07]

34 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Why don't they say they are optional then?  They are saying they are recommended.

still sounds like optional to me! Cheers!

[john2003]

I find this dialog a bit disappointing.

Recommended means they are optional but HAL has an opinion they are expressing. They recommend they be worn. How complicated is this?

[Florida_gal_50]

If masks were optional hal would have said that instead if recommended.  Seems to me that those who don't want to wear them read into it what they want. Everyday on the koningsdam that captain thanked us for wearing them.  I also feel it's respectful to the crew to wear them so I do.

[Mary229]

HAL is strictly following CDC guidance.  That is the wording in the CDC guidance for cruise ships.  Whole law schools have been built around deciphering bureaucrat-speak.  Don’t worry about it and don’t worry about what other people are doing either. 

[Florida_gal_50]

6 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

HAL is strictly following CDC guidance.  That is the wording in the CDC guidance for cruise ships.  Whole law schools have been built around deciphering bureaucrat-speak.  Don’t worry about it and don’t worry about what other people are doing either. 

If it had no effect on me I wouldn't worry. Unfortunately some people don't do what they are asked to unless forced.  I'm speaking of those that don't wear masks when it's required because they don't like it. It effects the crew as well who are just trying to make a living.  They are not of the ships for giggles.

[Mary229]

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

If it had no effect on me I wouldn't worry. Unfortunately some people don't do what they are asked to unless forced.  I'm speaking of those that don't wear masks when it's required because they don't like it. It effects the crew as well who are just trying to make a living.  They are not of the ships for giggles.

I just don’t want to get on a ship with a bunch of Covid vigilantes.  Let the people in charge do the enforcing and the passengers should mind their own business and follow safety instructions, as always. Cruising has always required strict adherence to the safety rules.  

[Florida_gal_50]

12 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I just don’t want to get on a ship with a bunch of Covid vigilantes.  Let the people in charge do the enforcing and the passengers should mind their own business and follow safety instructions, as always. Cruising has always required strict adherence to the safety rules.  

Have you been on a hal ship before?  Hal almost never will confront people. Even when they get the balls to I've heard passagers refuse.  I just don’t understand your comment about being a vigilante.  That’s just odd.  I get dirty looks all the time from the non mask wearers.  I don’t do anything of the sort.

Edited April 15, 2022 by Florida_gal_50

[Mary229]

8 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Have you been on a hal ship before?  Hal almost never will confront people. Even when they get the balls to I've heard passagers refuse.

I realize that but I don’t want passengers being confrontational either.  It is not my job to maintain order on a ship and any non-official attempt to do so may inflame the situation.  I had a very bad unprovoked experiences on a Princess and an Oceania ship.  I removed myself from the interaction and contacted security, quickly and very quietly.  
 

I try to follow all safety rules after all that is a lot of water below my feet and I don’t want anything to endanger the operation of the vessel.

Edited April 15, 2022 by Mary229