Cruising with a Mask Mandate

[Sunset329]

We have some questions for those who have cruised with a mask mandate. We are not anti-mask. We always wear masks where required. However, we cruise to meet new friends. We find it difficult to meet others when everyone is wearing a mask. We miss the laughter and smiles of new friends. We are also hard of hearing, and rely on expressions and reading lips to understand others. We love meeting at Crooner's with friends. I can't imagine sitting in a bar or theatre with a mask. We have a 14 day Caribbean cruise in February, and our final payment will be fast approaching. We desperately want to cruise again. Our question is how rigid is the mask requirement. Do you have to wear a mask in the bars and restaurants? Do you carry masks around in order to use the elevators? Are masks required at poolside, casino and theatres? Specifically, where are the masks actually worn? Did you enjoy your cruise with the mask requirement?

Edited September 5, 2021 by Sunset329

[dwhe]

I hope I don't have to wear one in the bars and restaurant, it will get a bit messy if I do 😁

[memoak]

14 minutes ago, dwhe said:

I hope I don't have to wear one in the bars and restaurant, it will get a bit messy if I do 😁

As far as I know you need to wear the mask until you are seated at bars and restaurants then you can probably take them off. My guess is you will need them in the theatre spaces 

[dwhe]

 

10 minutes ago, memoak said:

As far as I know you need to wear the mask until you are seated at bars and restaurants then you can probably take them off...

haha, I like it 🤣

Edited September 5, 2021 by dwhe

[station10fd]

Here's the Princess stance.....

 

"First, we strongly encourage guests wear face masks when in public spaces indoors. ALL guests will be required to wear a face mask – with no exceptions – in elevators, retails shops, in the casino, and other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Guests will also be required to wear face masks prior to being seated in our main dining rooms and in the buffet area, and occasionally in other designated areas where larger number of guests may congregate. As a reminder, masks are required during embark and debark in the terminal, and masks should also be worn during the debarkation process on board."

 

We were on the Aug 22nd sailing.  I did carry a mask around to put on where the signage said it was required or when it got crowded.  The areas where masking was required were well marked.  We did not wear it where it was not required, bellied up to the bar, walking down the hallway,  It was not that bad.

 

Mike T.

Edited September 5, 2021 by station10fd

[Buckeye10640]

The guidelines are clear...well...except for the  'other designated areas' part which could include just about anywhere besides your cabin....lol

[Lizabu]

I haven’t cruised yet, but will soon, however my husband and I went to a lovely resort where masks were mandated and I can promise you that it doesn’t interfere with any fun. I got myself a mask lanyard and I can wear my mask around my neck when I’m eating and drinking and it’s easily accessible to put it back on. At the resort you didn’t wear masks in the pool or hot tub and were encouraged to socially distance. And wear your mask inside except when eating and drinking. It becomes very easy, very fast. Everyone wants to have fun but it will spoil the fun if there’s an outbreak. 

[Mike45LC]

Although the policy did not reference the showroom, that is an enclosed space that gets crowded, and could easily be "and other designated areas".    Our final payment date is this coming week, and I am still not convinced that we should go forward.  

[station10fd]

2 minutes ago, Mike45LC said:

Although the policy did not reference the showroom, that is an enclosed space that gets crowded, and could easily be "and other designated areas".    Our final payment date is this coming week, and I am still not convinced that we should go forward.  

yep, all entrances to the theater were clearly marked "Masks Required"

Edited September 5, 2021 by station10fd

[Mike45LC]

7 minutes ago, station10fd said:

yep, all entrances to the theater were clearly marked "Masks Required"

This is a good policy, but I am not sure if I'm willing to go.  Although l have to wear masks for all shows I go to in my home area -- we saw Tony Orlando this weekend, and we were all masked.  It was better to go masked than to not go!

[Sprocket]

We were on the 8/8 sailing and had no issues with masking.  We did not however go to any shows, or crowded indoor spaces.  Well except for the casino lol.  We are cruising again in Dec for 20 nights and will follow whatever policy is in place.

But I will say I do not understand people who try to jam themselves into what is clearly an elevator that is already at capacity.  We just wave and wait for the next one.

[CineGraphic]

39 minutes ago, station10fd said:

yep, all entrances to the theater were clearly marked "Masks Required"

 

Wearing a mask in the theater sounds like a good idea while a dozen or more people run around on stage, huffing, puffing, and shvitzing all over the place.

[Sprocket]

1 minute ago, CineGraphic said:

 

Wearing a mask in the theater sounds like a good idea while a dozen or more people run around on stage, huffing, puffing, and shvitzing all over the place.

I saw pictures of the theatre from the cruises before ours and made the decision before we left to avoid it.  Too many too close for my comfort level, I'm sure it was fine for those who did go.

[dog]

Are masks required in the casino?

Is smoking allowed in the casino?

Is there a limit of number of people in the elevator?

Are rules enforced?

[riffatsea]

Here in San Diego we carry masks with us and put them on when indoors

We wore them at an  out door musical show where only vaccinated folks were allowed

Even if c everyone on board a ship is vaccinated folks can get break through infections on shore and bring it onto the ship where it can spread

No vaccine is 100% effective in preventing sickness

They are all effective in preventing SERIOUS cases but again not at100%

We will continue to be vigilant here at home and on board

I am glad Princess is trying to be vigilant as well

[beaglesandducks]

My 2 cents  we were on aug 22 alaska cruise  we were hesitant to go because of masks and the testing    turns out testing was no problem    We wore masks where required (elevator, shops, waiting to be seated in dining room, etc)  it was a small annoyance   I encourage those who want to cruise to go ahead  and have a great time  we actually liked the medallion thingy especially for ordering drinks & coffee in our cabin   I figured if we could not put up with masks then we would not cruise again for a year or so    But we r booked for january 2022 cruise in caribbean   Being on the ship means much more than the mask thing

[Sprocket]

3 minutes ago, dog said:

Are masks required in the casino?

Is smoking allowed in the casino?

Is there a limit of number of people in the elevator?

Are rules enforced?

 

Yes unless drinking or I suppose smoking masks were required in the casino.  We were in there for a while pretty much every day and I don't recall anyone smoking nearby.   Formal nights had frequent announcements about it being non-smoking.

The signs I saw near the elevators IIRC said Maximum 6 or your own party.  Trust me there were very few that only had 6 people in them

Not sure about enforcement everyone seemed to be complying regarding masks.  

[PurpleHays]

If I have to wear a mask, wearing one on a cruise ship is definitely better than wearing one at at my local mall. . .

 

But, also being hard of hearing, I totally feel your pain. 

[dwhe]

Is everyone oblivious to the fact that eating and drinking is almost impossible with a mask or have people here had a sense of humour bypass, I'm waiting for the "I eat and drink with a straw" posts

[vjmatty]

5 hours ago, Mike45LC said:

This is a good policy, but I am not sure if I'm willing to go.  Although l have to wear masks for all shows I go to in my home area -- we saw Tony Orlando this weekend, and we were all masked.  It was better to go masked than to not go!

I didn't realize Tony Orlando was still alive, let alone performing. 

[vjmatty]

1 hour ago, dwhe said:

Is everyone oblivious to the fact that eating and drinking is almost impossible with a mask or have people here had a sense of humour bypass, I'm waiting for the "I eat and drink with a straw" posts

I'm pretty sure everyone said masks are not required when eating or drinking. 

[Steelers36]

34 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

I'm pretty sure everyone said masks are not required when eating or drinking. 

Of course this is true, but there isn't much science behind casual momentary passing by others walking to a table.  There's a lot of show and only some go to the requirements.  Elevators are a small compact space, but the large open DR is different whether walking in to your table or seated.  Whatever.

[Italy52]

6 hours ago, dog said:

Are masks required in the casino?

Is smoking allowed in the casino?

Is there a limit of number of people in the elevator?

Are rules enforced?

We were on the 8/22 Majestic cruise to Alaska. 

 

Masks required in the casino -- yes.  However, we noticed a lot of people hanging around smoking (not gambling) -- we felt some people were taking advantage of the situation to unmask as they certainly could go outside and smoke.

 

Although there was a sign for the elevators, we noticed that they were very crowded.  We often took the stairs or opted to wait for another elevator.  Only time we saw someone enforce the mask rule was on 2 occasions in the buffet.

 

 

[ontheweb]

11 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

I am still waiting for a response from the CDC to produce their studies of the incidents of Covid being spread from vaccinated persons and the morbitity rate of vaccinated people spreading Covid to other vaccinated people.

 

I think it's important to know what science the CDC is basing their recommendations on for environments where 100 percent vaccinations are required.

I would advise you not to hold your breath while waiting for their response.

[geoherb]

I was on the August 22 cruise of the Majestic and did not find wearing a mask to be that onerous. I would meet friends for drinks at the Crown Grill Bar most evenings. We'd take our masks off once we had our drinks. It wasn't pulling them off, sipping, and putting them back on over and over again. Though I guess anyone could do that if they wanted.