Tips for a mask mandated cruise…

[chefchick]

20 minutes ago, crzndeb said:

I don’t sail until Dec., so who knows what he rules will be then, but since I got the Cheers deal, I just plan to have a drink in my hand at all times (and not just alcohol).

I as well. 🥂🍸🍹

[ninjacat123]

6 minutes ago, chefchick said:

I as well. 🥂🍸🍹

My DH says he's going to keep a cup in his hand with a straw in it attached to his mouth.  It's gonna be the new look onboard 🤣

[Knights on the Beach]

I thought we weren't allowed to post BS stuff about whether masks are effective or not? 

 

We're taking disposable masks, they seem to be the most breathable. Last year we had three trips to Key West and used buffs. Pretty sure that's not allowed on the ship.

[DEL67]

In April we took a mask required river cruise and, although we would prefer not to, had no issue with wearing masks.

[Jasonsterling]

2 hours ago, Cruise Related said:

Please Post pics of the whole getup! Might as well have some fun during this tricky situation for sure! Now if only you had a sonic screwdriver……I bet the alchemy bar is gonna love you! 

I will! I think it'll be fun and the Alchemy is my big hang out, can't wait to settle in as part of the atmosphere! 

[chefchick]

15 minutes ago, cruisemom2 said:

I thought we weren't allowed to post BS stuff about whether masks are effective or not? 

 

We're taking disposable masks, they seem to be the most breathable. Last year we had three trips to Key West and used buffs. Pretty sure that's not allowed on the ship.

Well, MASK EFFICACY was not the point of this post, but you know how hard it is to get “the people of cruise critic” to focus 🤣. I’m traveling solo.  I’ve been lucky enough to have sailed Alaska cruises many times, so excursions aren’t a priority for me.  My plan was to do all those fun, cruise things we haven’t been able to do for the last year (live music, comedy shows, piano bar sing alongs, trivia, casino, bellying up to the bar and chatting up to those around you, eating too much food, etc). I guess I will still do all those things but with a mask on.    Not what I had in mind, but I hope to make the best of it. 🥂

Edited August 5, 2021 by chefchick

[Knights on the Beach]

7 minutes ago, chefchick said:

Well, MASK EFFICACY was not the point of this post, but you know how hard it is to get “the people of cruise critic” to focus 🤣. I’m traveling solo.  I’ve been lucky enough to have sailed Alaska cruises many times, so excursions aren’t a priority for me.  My plan was to do all those fun, cruise things we haven’t been able to do for the last year (live music, comedy shows, piano bar sing alongs, trivia, casino, bellying up to the bar and chatting up to those around you, eating too much food, etc). I guess I will still do all those things but with a mask on.    Not what I had in mind, but I hope to make the best of it. 🥂

I hear you! Not what we had planned either but we're going to make the best of it. We've been lucky to enjoy live music almost all along (minus a few weeks last year) but we're SO looking forward to everything else a cruise offers. ❤️

[Gin-soaked bar-room queen]

[Floriduh]

We did American Queen Steamboat Co with a fully masked boat.

 

It wasn't that big of a deal. No one fought the rules. Everyone was happy to be there. 

 

If someone forgot (I did several times because the Grill was right next to our room and I would run out to fill me water bottle) it was a funny oops moment as they would get embarrassed and hustle back to their cabin. The passengers had a "We are all in this together" attitude.

 

Really, it wasn't an issue once we started to cruise. Just a fact of life.

[brewcrew]

Sounds like many of you had the right attitude while cruising while masked!  Glad you all had fun and it is what you make of it!  Btw, since we are being asked to wear masks again not only on cruise ships but locally I did check out those Tommie Copper ones mentioned in this thread.  They are on clearance on QVC.com if anyone is interested.  Be safe!!!

[hurricane0226]

2 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

My DH says he's going to keep a cup in his hand with a straw in it attached to his mouth.  It's gonna be the new look onboard 🤣

Kool look

[hurricane0226]

2 hours ago, Jasonsterling said:

I will! I think it'll be fun and the Alchemy is my big hang out, can't wait to settle in as part of the atmosphere! 

let's see who has the most funny or kool mask, might as well enjoy it, we are cruising. 

[hurricane0226]

1 hour ago, Gin-soaked bar-room queen said:

what if it is a thong?

[mowogo]

From my travels over the past year in the pandemic, I've learned that the secret to spending extended time in a mask is all about mask comfort, and finding a mask that is most comfortable for you.  My personal favorites are the style sold as "Korean Pop Star Masks" which are multi-layer and extremely comfortable for me, and stay very form fitting and very easy to position for minimal fog.  

[Markmom18]

8 hours ago, Brew12 said:

Second thing was to always bring at least 2 masks. 

 

  “At least 2 masks” ??   For 2 days then, right?
 

 I need a clean mask per day. 😷 😷 And if said mask gets super sweaty & icky,  I’d change it as needed. Just my opinion and my face.
 

Plus, isn’t it recommended to change as needed? Like you wore the mask all day, wake up the next day and put on new one. 

🛳🛳

Bobbi 

[Markmom18]

31 minutes ago, mowogo said:

From my travels over the past year in the pandemic, I've learned that the secret to spending extended time in a mask is all about mask comfort, and finding a mask that is most comfortable for you.  My personal favorites are the style sold as "Korean Pop Star Masks" which are multi-layer and extremely comfortable for me, and stay very form fitting and very easy to position for minimal fog.  

   Hi,

 

   Ahhh, minimal fog got my attention, as I wear glasses for reading.  AND “extremely comfortable” 😁😷!   I’ll look on Amazon. 

 Thanks!

🛳🛳

Bobbi 

 

[BoozinCroozin]

10 hours ago, crzndeb said:

I don’t sail until Dec., so who knows what he rules will be then, but since I got the Cheers deal, I just plan to have a drink in my hand at all times (and not just alcohol).

I agree. By following the rules set forth, this is important. A nice cocktail, bottled water, and $3 popcorn solves a lot of issues.

[May1cruiser]

Had to wear a mask everyday for 16 months, usually working six days a week. They were paper surgical. For glasses, have to form tightly around the top to avoid moist breath traveling upwards. not always easy. There are different sizes if you look closely online, some will show the sizes in MM, Tend to find the grey and black sized smaller than the light blue. I will say when masks restrictions were lifted, i felt naked without the mask and sometimes still feel guilty for not wearing one. 

 

For the cruise tomorrow, def plan to follow the rules, will have adult beverages that have been earned. Plan to have two masks with me at all times as the straps are marginal. (bring plenty of extras)

After the challenges we all have faced, have zero issues with masks. 

[Brew12]

9 hours ago, Markmom18 said:

  “At least 2 masks” ??   For 2 days then, right?
 

 I need a clean mask per day. 😷 😷 And if said mask gets super sweaty & icky,  I’d change it as needed. Just my opinion and my face.
 

Plus, isn’t it recommended to change as needed? Like you wore the mask all day, wake up the next day and put on new one. 

🛳🛳

Bobbi 

Because your are never too far from your cabin on a cruise ship, 1 is probably fine. I would bring at least 2 masks on a shore excursion. It's a bad day if you sit down to eat, take your mask off, and the wind blows it off the table into a stagnant puddle. Better safe than sorry imo.

[ProgRockCruiser]

32 minutes ago, Brew12 said:

Because your are never too far from your cabin on a cruise ship, 1 is probably fine. I would bring at least 2 masks on a shore excursion. It's a bad day if you sit down to eat, take your mask off, and the wind blows it off the table into a stagnant puddle. Better safe than sorry imo.

I think the other poster is saying they would like a clean mask every day, not re-using the previous day's.

 

We are scheduled for the 4 Sept sailing on Magic.  We talked briefly about canceling or moving it, but even if we could do that without penalties, we really want to just get on a ship and relax, and we think the logistics of wearing masks will be tolerable.

 

We have evaluated that we'd need to wear masks in these cases:

 

• When entering the MDR - take it off when you get to your seat.  (Yeah, insert joke here about how germs spread only at 5 feet or above.  I do understand the rationale, however.)
• On the rare occasion we grab something from the Lido buffet, and when we are just passing through.  I would assume (!) no masks needed at Blue Iguana Cantina or Guys Burgers, since they are "outside venues".
• When visiting the Fun Shops or walking through the Promenade deck
• If we visit the Comedy Club or see a show.
• At the Piano Bar, Red Frog Pub, or Alchemy (but see below about our drink-in-hand policy 😉 )
• If we take an elevator.  Since we do try to take the stairs anyway if only a few decks, this may be a great reason to stick with stairs.

 

We are those cruisers who enjoy and maximize our Cheers packages.  If we don't have a drink in hand, it's because we are waiting on the next one.  So wandering about sipping constantly is what we do anyway.  Sitting at the Alchemy Bar should not be an issue...

 

And we generally try to enjoy the outside decks as much as possible - mini-golf, hot tubs, Serenity, just walking about.

 

So I think, in reality, it won't be a big deal.

 

And getting a (rapid) Antigen test looks to be fairly straightforward in our area.

 

So we are going to go have Fun!

[Brew12]

30 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I think the other poster is saying they would like a clean mask every day, not re-using the previous day's.

 

We are scheduled for the 4 Sept sailing on Magic.  We talked briefly about canceling or moving it, but even if we could do that without penalties, we really want to just get on a ship and relax, and we think the logistics of wearing masks will be tolerable.

 

We have evaluated that we'd need to wear masks in these cases:

 

• When entering the MDR - take it off when you get to your seat.  (Yeah, insert joke here about how germs spread only at 5 feet or above.  I do understand the rationale, however.)
• On the rare occasion we grab something from the Lido buffet, and when we are just passing through.  I would assume (!) no masks needed at Blue Iguana Cantina or Guys Burgers, since they are "outside venues".
• When visiting the Fun Shops or walking through the Promenade deck
• If we visit the Comedy Club or see a show.
• At the Piano Bar, Red Frog Pub, or Alchemy (but see below about our drink-in-hand policy 😉 )
• If we take an elevator.  Since we do try to take the stairs anyway if only a few decks, this may be a great reason to stick with stairs.

 

We are those cruisers who enjoy and maximize our Cheers packages.  If we don't have a drink in hand, it's because we are waiting on the next one.  So wandering about sipping constantly is what we do anyway.  Sitting at the Alchemy Bar should not be an issue...

 

And we generally try to enjoy the outside decks as much as possible - mini-golf, hot tubs, Serenity, just walking about.

 

So I think, in reality, it won't be a big deal.

 

And getting a (rapid) Antigen test looks to be fairly straightforward in our area.

 

So we are going to go have Fun!

I'll be bringing a large number of masks if I don't cancel. 

 

I'm waiting to see how the masking policy is enforced. If you aren't required to wear it any time a drink is in hand except in elevators and waiting for dining that would be one extreme. If they insist you wear it while sitting at a bar and only pull it down to take a sip, like what airlines push, it's a completely different issue.

The problem with option 1 is that it is unlikely to make any significant impact to the issues which are leading them to change their policies. Option 2 would make it so I wouldn't go on the cruise but would be the most effective way to do it. 

Odds are that reality is somewhere in between. Just exactly where it ends up remains to be seen.

[ProgRockCruiser]

8 minutes ago, Brew12 said:

I'll be bringing a large number of masks if I don't cancel. 

 

I'm waiting to see how the masking policy is enforced. If you aren't required to wear it any time a drink is in hand except in elevators and waiting for dining that would be one extreme. If they insist you wear it while sitting at a bar and only pull it down to take a sip, like what airlines push, it's a completely different issue.

The problem with option 1 is that it is unlikely to make any significant impact to the issues which are leading them to change their policies. Option 2 would make it so I wouldn't go on the cruise but would be the most effective way to do it. 

Odds are that reality is somewhere in between. Just exactly where it ends up remains to be seen.

Indeed, it does seem to be possibly just "hygiene theater".

 

I just ordered some Hanes masks to act as back up to our usual ones - we have a variety of masks now, but the Hanes ones look comfortable, and at the price can be sacrificed daily if need be.

[Brew12]

4 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

Indeed, it does seem to be possibly just "hygiene theater".

I think many people see this as the case, even if they don't think of it in those terms. I'm taking a wait and see approach because this is a huge PR hit for measures that have no chance at being effective.

[ninjacat123]

29 minutes ago, ProgRockCruiser said:

I think the other poster is saying they would like a clean mask every day, not re-using the previous day's.

 

We are scheduled for the 4 Sept sailing on Magic.  We talked briefly about canceling or moving it, but even if we could do that without penalties, we really want to just get on a ship and relax, and we think the logistics of wearing masks will be tolerable.

 

We have evaluated that we'd need to wear masks in these cases:

 

• When entering the MDR - take it off when you get to your seat.  (Yeah, insert joke here about how germs spread only at 5 feet or above.  I do understand the rationale, however.)
• On the rare occasion we grab something from the Lido buffet, and when we are just passing through.  I would assume (!) no masks needed at Blue Iguana Cantina or Guys Burgers, since they are "outside venues".
• When visiting the Fun Shops or walking through the Promenade deck
• If we visit the Comedy Club or see a show.
• At the Piano Bar, Red Frog Pub, or Alchemy (but see below about our drink-in-hand policy 😉 )
• If we take an elevator.  Since we do try to take the stairs anyway if only a few decks, this may be a great reason to stick with stairs.

 

We are those cruisers who enjoy and maximize our Cheers packages.  If we don't have a drink in hand, it's because we are waiting on the next one.  So wandering about sipping constantly is what we do anyway.  Sitting at the Alchemy Bar should not be an issue...

 

And we generally try to enjoy the outside decks as much as possible - mini-golf, hot tubs, Serenity, just walking about.

 

So I think, in reality, it won't be a big deal.

 

And getting a (rapid) Antigen test looks to be fairly straightforward in our area.

 

So we are going to go have Fun!

DH and I are on Magic Sept 4 as well (I think you mentioned that in a previous post somewhere) and I think you posted some good thoughts.  We have the Cheers package as well, so sipping all day will be our activity as well.  I do have a spa pass and am curious if Carnival will require masks for vaccinated since I don't think unvaccinated can access the spa.  Anyone have thoughts?  TIA!

[Border Granny]

I have the N95 masks and I have plain white paper masks that I’ll double if I need to. I have a bunch of cotton more decorative ones I’m bringing.  I retired from over 50 yrs in healthcare so masks are second nature with me, and since I’m old I wore them religiously on the rare occasion I did leave the house during the quarantine days.

 

That being said, would I rather NOT have to wear masks.  Of course, but I haven’t cruised in over two years, and if masks are required then masks I shall wear😷🛳👍