NCL crew=no more masks

[YVRteacher]

As of 12:00am August 25 the crew on the NCL Encore no longer needs to wear masks.

Can anyone currently on board a different ship confirm if this is true for the ship on which you’re sailing?

 

[CptAleSpill]

Hallelujah!!

[Georgia_Peaches]

Good for them!  It's about time.  I was on a flight home to ATL when the mask mandate was dropped on planes.  The flight attendant made the announcement and she was near tears.  There was a loud round of applause and lots of cheers.  I'm sincerely happy for them if this is true!

[Dcoy]

The crew mask rule change was posted on Facebook this morning. 

[debenson0723]

56 minutes ago, YVRteacher said:

As of 12:00am August 25 the crew on the NCL Encore no longer needs to wear masks.

Can anyone currently on board a different ship confirm if this is true for the ship on which you’re sailing?

 

A crew member told me last night that this was fleet wide. Only needed if it's a port requirement and can be reinstated if cases on board start to rise. So happy for them.

[JGmf]

That's great news.  This past February 2022 all crew, of course, wore masks.  So did the poor guy who was lifeguard/safety paddling around in a kayak keeping an eye on swimmers in Harvest Cay...the guy was in the middle of the water with no one really nearby in the blazing sun.  Uggh. 

 

I bet that beach and water safety staff is extra relieved.

[Coastalbreezes]

This is fantastic news! Thanks for sharing it with us.

[vacation44]

Wonderful news!

[LaCal]

On my last cruise which was on the Bliss I had some discussions with quite a few dealers in the casino and 2 of the floor men…..out of 6 dealers 4 of  them said they’d continue wearing masks even when it’s only a option 😷…Both floor men said they’d wear theirs 

 

I’ll be curious to actually see how many crew continue wearing them…..

[cruiseny4life]

19 minutes ago, LaCal said:

On my last cruise which was on the Bliss I had some discussions with quite a few dealers in the casino and 2 of the floor men…..out of 6 dealers 4 of  them said they’d continue wearing masks even when it’s only a option 😷…Both floor men said they’d wear theirs 

 

I’ll be curious to actually see how many crew continue wearing them…..

I'm definitely going to be surprised if they all have their masks off when I embark on September 3rd! 

[spanishguy1970]

We will continue wearing ours on board, is a personal choice now. I will certainly not wear one while in my stateroom but will be as cautious as possible, same choice while on a plane. The operative word is " choice" whether you wear one or not is up to the person now and no one should be shamed for doing what they think is right for them.

[rbxlady]

Confirmed on the Getaway as of yesterday:

 

[CruisingSince1982]

Good! 

[SimplyAlbert]

20 minutes ago, spanishguy1970 said:

We will continue wearing ours on board, is a personal choice now. I will certainly not wear one while in my stateroom but will be as cautious as possible, same choice while on a plane. The operative word is " choice" whether you wear one or not is up to the person now and no one should be shamed for doing what they think is right for them.

 

Same as us.  DH has a heart condition so we continue to wear ours at home and will wear them when traveling.

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, LaCal said:

I’ll be curious to actually see how many crew continue wearing them…..

 

I'll be surprised if it's more then 5%. 

[BermudaBound2014]

According to crew social, the mandatory mask wearing was stopping a significant number of people from returning back to work on ships. Perhaps now we can see an ease in crew shortages. :). 

[cruiseny4life]

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

According to crew social, the mandatory mask wearing was stopping a significant number of people from returning back to work on ships. Perhaps now we can see an ease in crew shortages. :). 

What? No way! The cruise lines said it was the delayed visas...well whoever would I believe? 🙂 

[cruisequeen4ever]

I’m happy for the crew. At first reading the news, it made me a bit nervous for passengers, but then I remembered that most restaurants have unmasked workers, so it’s not really any different.

[gabbygal99]

So the cruise lines have had poor/slow/lacking/(insert-whatever-adjective-you-want-to-use-here) customer service due to reduced staffing levels because the crew have been consistently contracting covid from the passengers not wearing masks, but now the crew aren’t going to be wearing masks?!

 

I’m *sure* the service will improve from here on out! *sarcasm, for anyone that missed it*

[happytotravel]

Hi,

Just as Spanishguy1970 and SimplyAlbert stated I too plan to wear my mask while onboard and while on the plane even though I've had my boosters (5 shots in total). At least if by chance I get Covid I know that I did what I could to prevent myself from getting it.

 

Again, as mentioned, it is a choice that everyone should have.  Hopefully, we can all enjoy our various cruises no matter.

happytotravel

[hydro1570]

Just curious if the people that choose to continue masking will ask their room steward to not make up their room for the week. I mean they clean how many rooms nonstop daily? Then go in yours using the same cleaning supplies, so I would be more concerned with that in reality if you really think about it. 

[spanishguy1970]

4 hours ago, happytotravel said:

Hi,

Just as Spanishguy1970 and SimplyAlbert stated I too plan to wear my mask while onboard and while on the plane even though I've had my boosters (5 shots in total). At least if by chance I get Covid I know that I did what I could to prevent myself from getting it.

 

Again, as mentioned, it is a choice that everyone should have.  Hopefully, we can all enjoy our various cruises no matter.

happytotravel

I read in another thread a few weeks ago where people on ships are getting snarky remarks and Ughs from fellow passengers just because they decide to wear their masks. I hope that mentality goes away, don't want to wear your mask? is your choice, let others do what is right for them. IMO

[wolft927]

Finally glad to see the crews smiling faces again!!!!!!

[odie1024]

57 minutes ago, wolft927 said:

Finally glad to see the crews smiling faces again!!!!!!

Totally agree, have done 4 cruises since cruising restarted and doing another in October and will definitely look forward to their smiles and clearly understanding them.

 

 

[BermudaBound2014]

6 hours ago, cruiseny4life said:

What? No way! The cruise lines said it was the delayed visas...well whoever would I believe? 🙂 

 

 Delayed visas appears legitimate based on what I've read, but so is crew choosing not to return to cruise ship work due to covid protocols.  Many crew are young and simply do not want to be vaccinated,  wear a mask, test weekly, and quarantine if asymptomatic.