Masks Required on Rotterdam 150th Anniversary Sailing

[BermudaBound2014]

I surmise that the average age of passengers is also taken into account when reinstating the mask mandate.

 

We all know age is the strongest predictor of widespread illness from covid. If Captains are following the data,  they absolutely should take into account the average age of those on each sailing when making the call to mask or not. 

 

Long voyages across the pond during normal school sessions lean toward much older demographics. A ship sailing with 80-90% of it's passengers over the age of 65 is more likely to experience an outbreak in which passengers become ill. It's not fair that the elderly are more prone to this illness, but it's undeniable.

 

 

15 hours ago, grouchomarx said:

For me it’s 100% a deal breaker.

 

I suspect that masking is going to come and go for quite awhile, especially on longer voyages where the passengers average age is much higher than a 7 day Caribbean cruise. Masks are cheap and the decision can be made on the spot. I have a 10 day cruise coming up, and in retrospect I wonder if I would have been better off with a B2B where the age tends to be lower.

 

Many consider masking a deal breaker. The news of ships randomly reinitiating mask mandates will likely further drive Johnny Public away. Unfortunately, this is yet another nail in the financial coffin of the cruise industry. 

 

 

[FlaMariner]

Looking around on the HAL website for their info on masking.....this is what I've found....Any idea where in the T&C or elsewhere where they say they can require masking?  Seems like false advertising if this is the policy yet masking is required?  What am I not understanding?

 

Mask Policy
Masks on board are recommended but not required indoors or outdoors*. We highly recommend guests wear a mask in the World Stage and other entertainment areas, casino, spa treatment rooms, Club HAL and during other congregate events. For more details, view our FAQs.
*Masks are required on the ship indoors on Alaska cruises that sail between Whittier to Vancouver and on buses/trains on Cruisetours.

 

[FlaMariner]

I may have found the answer in the FAQ's....very frustrating.....seems like "bait and switch"

 

Masks are recommended, but not required, in most onboard venues, though you may need to wear them in select venues or certain situations on your cruise. 

[Naismith]

Hmnn.  I have surgery scheduled this week, I wonder if the professionals in the operating room will have "moved on" or wear masks?

 

Some have referred to the idea of masks as "foreign," and this is true.  But please understand it is very common in Asia, sangat sehari-hari, part of everyday life.  Asians suffered with SARS and MERS in a way that did not hit North America, and they have learned caution and the common-sense efficacy of mask wearing.  It was very frequently seen when I lived in Indonesia.

 

And if North Americans were smart, they would follow the patterns in Singapore, Korea, other spots in Asia (who had much lower Covid death rates) and be willing to mask from time to time in order to stop spread during a surge.   

 

It is not just Covid, but also flu, Noro, and other bugs that may cause a Captain to require masking for a season.  

 

(And I am an Army veteran, so I fully appreciate the value and costs of freedom.)