grest Posted December 16, 2021 #1 Share Posted December 16, 2021 Just returned yesterday from 10 night partial Panama transit. It was wonderful! Ship was about 1/2 full. Service was amazing. Food delicious. Our main concern going in was COVID safety, and we were very pleased with our experience. With few exceptions, people masked up, and if they didn't, they were reminded to put one on. HAL provided two masks per person in staterooms. The one place where we saw several folks unmasked was the showroom, particularly with the lights out. But we were able to either sit far away or just left. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodndonna Posted December 16, 2021 #2 Share Posted December 16, 2021 53 minutes ago, grest said: Just returned yesterday from 10 night partial Panama transit. It was wonderful! Ship was about 1/2 full. Service was amazing. Food delicious. Our main concern going in was COVID safety, and we were very pleased with our experience. With few exceptions, people masked up, and if they didn't, they were reminded to put one on. HAL provided two masks per person in staterooms. The one place where we saw several folks unmasked was the showroom, particularly with the lights out. But we were able to either sit far away or just left. Was on the same cruise and agree with your experience. We found the vast majority of people were quite respectful and never felt unsafe as we had ample space from the few non-conformists. We actually thought compliance got better as the cruise went on, which is not at all what I was expecting. The staff did a great job diplomatically reminding folks about their mask where needed. We found compliance lacking in BB King's as well, but had no issue as we weren't looking to be on the dance floor and were able to find space to watch the show. Just wanted to add that the masks provided were quite comfortable and we were able to give them a quick hot sink bath every couple of days to freshen them up! 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saphire Posted December 16, 2021 #3 Share Posted December 16, 2021 Can you tell me about the spa, the thermal loungers and pool for instance? Hoping they aren't required there! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grest Posted December 16, 2021 Author #4 Share Posted December 16, 2021 1 minute ago, Saphire said: Can you tell me about the spa, the thermal loungers and pool for instance? Hoping they aren't required there! I'm sorry, we decided to forego this area....DH is transplant person and we avoided any potential problems. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare MISTER 67 Posted December 16, 2021 #5 Share Posted December 16, 2021 This might sound silly but cruise ships right now might be the safest public places, everyone has been vaccinated and tested before they boarded and mask up while indoors. We just returned from a Princess cruise and like you we had a wonderful time, ship was at about 51% capacity with service, food and entertainment excellent. Ready to book with Holland America for late May. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodndonna Posted December 16, 2021 #6 Share Posted December 16, 2021 22 minutes ago, Saphire said: Can you tell me about the spa, the thermal loungers and pool for instance? Hoping they aren't required there! It appeared folks around the pool were maskless but would generally put on their mask to leave the pool area (to go the washroom, pizza or burger joint etc.). We peered into the thermal spa area once and no masks that we saw. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlaMariner Posted December 16, 2021 #7 Share Posted December 16, 2021 4 hours ago, Saphire said: Can you tell me about the spa, the thermal loungers and pool for instance? Hoping they aren't required there! Luckily, the Fitness Center and the thermal spa are mask free zones......ENJOY! (At least they were on our October Rotterdam cruise) 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare FlaMariner Posted December 16, 2021 #8 Share Posted December 16, 2021 7 hours ago, grest said: The one place where we saw several folks unmasked was the showroom, particularly with the lights out. I am guilty of this violation...... 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SargassoPirate Posted December 16, 2021 #9 Share Posted December 16, 2021 I'll be happy when the masking mandates are behind us. I'm vaxxed and boosted and only wear a mask when required. 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
surfone Posted December 16, 2021 #10 Share Posted December 16, 2021 Do you know if a screen shot of your COVID results on your phone can be used at check in or must you have a hard d copy? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grest Posted December 16, 2021 Author #11 Share Posted December 16, 2021 don't know about the screen shots... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted December 17, 2021 #12 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Thanks, OP, for your report. Masks required to be worn by crew? Masks needing to be worn by guests? Have no interest in investing money into a "vacation" that I would not enjoy. Some of us have conditions that having to wear a mask for any length of time to be unpleasant. I do that locally when I must. Not going to pay money to endure such an experience. I am somewhat envious of those who are able to endure this requirement. If I was a bit younger without the shortness of breath issues that I now have, I would be tempted to experience this "new way of cruising". 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted December 17, 2021 #13 Share Posted December 17, 2021 40 minutes ago, rkacruiser said: Thanks, OP, for your report. Masks required to be worn by crew? Masks needing to be worn by guests? Have no interest in investing money into a "vacation" that I would not enjoy. Some of us have conditions that having to wear a mask for any length of time to be unpleasant. I do that locally when I must. Not going to pay money to endure such an experience. I am somewhat envious of those who are able to endure this requirement. If I was a bit younger without the shortness of breath issues that I now have, I would be tempted to experience this "new way of cruising". Thank you for recognizing that in yourself. There were some people on my cruise that refused to wear a mask when asked. I heard on guy say it’s claustrophobic. It’s beyond me why some people sign up for a cruise, agree to the requirements then stomp their feet like a child saying no they don’t want to. Who thinks like that other than spoiled babies? 18 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapitch Posted December 17, 2021 #14 Share Posted December 17, 2021 The same holds true on the airlines. The pilot of our last flight stopped the plane on the tarmac while approaching for takeoff because a man in the row before us refused to wear a mask. Finally, he complied. Why do they acknowledge and agree to wear masks then totally disregard the requirement? Beyond me! 13 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare foodsvcmgr Posted December 17, 2021 #15 Share Posted December 17, 2021 With no masking on NCL and Celebrity why would an anti-masker insist on booking HAL? 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted December 17, 2021 #16 Share Posted December 17, 2021 8 minutes ago, foodsvcmgr said: With no masking on NCL and Celebrity why would an anti-masker insist on booking HAL? I’ve wondered the same myself. There are options. It’s like me going on those lines and expecting people to mask. That’s idiotic. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted December 17, 2021 #17 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Thanks for sharing.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florida_gal_50 Posted December 17, 2021 #18 Share Posted December 17, 2021 44 minutes ago, kapitch said: The same holds true on the airlines. The pilot of our last flight stopped the plane on the tarmac while approaching for takeoff because a man in the row before us refused to wear a mask. Finally, he complied. Why do they acknowledge and agree to wear masks then totally disregard the requirement? Beyond me! People like that should be put off the flight immediately. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Storylady Posted December 17, 2021 #19 Share Posted December 17, 2021 6 hours ago, foodsvcmgr said: With no masking on NCL and Celebrity why would an anti-masker insist on booking HAL? We would rather be on a HAL ship with masks than the NCL that had 17 passengers comedown with COVID. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
numbuh9494 Posted December 17, 2021 #20 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Thanks OP for your report! That makes me feel a lot better about mine and my family's health and safety. We are going to be cruising on the Nieuw Statendam headed out this weekend and we are all of varying ages and health, so it's reassuring that people are taking guidelines seriously. Glad to see that crew is enforcing everything as well. We're celebrating mine and DH's wedding (which will be on-board) so we all got some fancy masks and are going to try to make the most of it 🙂 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobpell Posted December 17, 2021 #21 Share Posted December 17, 2021 I noticed rodndonna (the OP) you are Canadian. Were you tested on the dock or on board at departure? thanks Bob 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodndonna Posted December 17, 2021 #22 Share Posted December 17, 2021 53 minutes ago, bobpell said: I noticed rodndonna (the OP) you are Canadian. Were you tested on the dock or on board at departure? thanks Bob We did our test here at home before our flight and cruise departure. We tested outside the terminal (HAL provided test) after departing the ship for our flight home. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobpell Posted December 17, 2021 #23 Share Posted December 17, 2021 Thanks rodndonna. Was a piece of papar given to you after your test on the dock? Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rodndonna Posted December 17, 2021 #24 Share Posted December 17, 2021 6 minutes ago, bobpell said: Thanks rodndonna. Was a piece of papar given to you after your test on the dock? Bob No, as it takes up to 2 hours to get the results. You give them your email address when you register. After the test, you now continue on to the airport and wait your results. When the test arrives (a pdf in the email) you can proceed to check in for your flight showing the results on your phone (or tablet or such). It took about 1 hour for our results which is typical, they say 2 hours to be safe. It was a pretty simple process and went smoothly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobpell Posted December 17, 2021 #25 Share Posted December 17, 2021 I take it your flight wasn't before noon? A bit nerve wracking for any earlier time than that!! Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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