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Alaska 2021 protocols released - masks required indoors


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just read on Matt's blog that they released the protocols for Alaska sailing that required all eligible adults to be vaccinated, and they are still requiring masks indoors unless seated and eating or drinking.  They talk about vaccinated only venues, but don't say the will be mask-less.  A few other restrictions for the un-vaccinated like only RCI shore excursions and no My Time Dining.

Not real pleased with the masks indoors, I had hope with most all being vaccinated they would ease up on that, but then again nothing I can't live with.

Looking forward to this cruise and many more in the near future

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According to Matt's article, it says "The CDC does make allowances for guests to remove their masks in venues and events dedicated to fully vaccinated parties.".  

That seems pretty clear to me that it means maskless in those venues.  And it seems like there are an abundance of vaccinated only venues. Unless I'm missing something.

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From https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise?dPort=seattle, standard boilerplate mask policy...

Masks Guidance
When indoors, CDC guidelines require all guests 2 and older to wear masks unless they are actively eating or drinking. The CDC does make allowances for guests to remove their masks in venues and events dedicated to fully vaccinated parties. Masks are not required in your stateroom when you are with your traveling party or outside on the open decks, unless in a crowded setting. We will update you on any changes to CDC mask guidelines before your cruise.

You’ll find the entire ship and boarding process set up to allow for physical distancing, which is encouraged whenever interacting with those outside of your traveling party.

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This is what the CSO says about vaxmasking

 

Fully Vaccinated Travelers

  • Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that—if they are fully vaccinated—they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask.
  • Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise crew who are fully vaccinated that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in areas of the ship that are inaccessible to passengers.
  • Cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may designate areas as only accessible to fully vaccinated passengers and crew where masks and physical distancing are not required (e.g., casinos; bars; spas; entertainment venues; and dining areas, including self-serve buffets).
  • For ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas.
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18 minutes ago, Cruising With JT said:

It is a little surprising but wearing masks indoors shouldn't really be anything new... most folks are used to it.

here in the Midwest, at least where I'm from, we see very very few people wearing masks anywhere any more, even in most restaurants the servers have stopped.

it's been that way for the past couple of months already.

BTW @SpeedNoodles thanks for pointing out my mistake, that what I get for skim reading, I should know better.

Anyway i still ecstatic about being on a cruise again

 

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So working on the premise that in vaccinated only areas means you can remove your mask (if vaccinated) that means I am good in the casino and the pub, the Viking Crown Lounge and Diamond Club.  

What I don't get, if everyone over 16 has to be vaccinated why is the Solarium Bar and the Solarium not a vaccine only area?

serenade-of-the-seas-venue-grid.thumb.jpeg.e0b8035dd44fbd6fcb02c5e68b961c1c.jpeg

This is noted to be July only, so far, so we'll have to see what August protocols are.

 

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12 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

This is what the CSO says about vaxmasking

Fully Vaccinated Travelers

  • For ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas.

This is what i was hoping for with all eligible passengers requiring to be vaccinated.

But i can again live with what we are getting

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10 minutes ago, ConstantCruiser said:

So working on the premise that in vaccinated only areas means you can remove your mask (if vaccinated) that means I am good in the casino and the pub, the Viking Crown Lounge and Diamond Club.  

What I don't get, if everyone over 16 has to be vaccinated why is the Solarium Bar and the Solarium not a vaccine only area?

I would classify the Solarium Bar and Solarium as Outdoors so unless a congregate setting it would be maskless.  But that is an opinion and when the first ships sail we will really see what it is.

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21 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

For ships with at least 95% of crew and 95% of passengers fully vaccinated, cruise ship operators, at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that they do not have to wear a mask or maintain physical distance in any areas

Serenade guest count tops out at 2,490.

50% capacity would be 1,245.

5% of that is 62.

So... if 62 children or less book the cruise they achieve 95% vaccinated since all adults must be vaccinated.

If more than 62 kids on board, everyone must mask up.

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13 minutes ago, CruiseGus said:

I would classify the Solarium Bar and Solarium as Outdoors so unless a congregate setting it would be maskless.  But that is an opinion and when the first ships sail we will really see what it is.

Only outdoors if the roof is open, otherwise it's indoors.  That's one of the benefits of this class in cold weather.

Probably why the Solarium made the graphic in the first place.

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Thinking about it... I guess the Solarium is a throughway to access the pool deck from the forward staircase and elevator lobby.  

While kids can't stay in the Solarium they can walk through the Solarium.

I've also seen it when on rainy days they allow kids to use the Solarium pool for specific hours.  

I guess that makes the Solarium a masked venue.

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With the extra delay approved by the Judge in the Florida suit against the CDC the hope for protocol relief on July 18 vanished.  That left Royal in a position where they had to implement the protocols they did for Serenade.

Hopefully there will be no more delays and Royal won't need to implement the same protocols in August.   

Next up for Royal will be protocols for Odyssey and it's July 31st sailing.  They may need to launch her with similar "July" protocols hoping the next cruise can switch to "August" protocols.

Time will tell.  

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6 hours ago, Cruising With JT said:

It is a little surprising but wearing masks indoors shouldn't really be anything new... most folks are used to it. Things may still change we'll see. Either way I am going on a cruise after 1.5 years and that is all that matters!

I don't get the "used to it" part. Why would I pay thousands for someone to make me wear a mask. Quit doing that a long time ago and won't start again for a cruise that costs a lot of money.

Hopefully you all enjoy your sailings..............

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7 hours ago, Cruising With JT said:

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/the-healthy-sail-center/getting-ready-to-cruise?dPort=seattle

image.thumb.png.256a6f1c87035c8c13419354bed17395.pngI

I am on Ovation of the Seas so I hope our protocols are different... they do vary from ship to ship...fingers crossed!

Hopefully the requirements will change by next month. If they don't will need to look at my options.

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The cruiselines don't want to mess this up. They want and need to show they are very very serious about this.

If, for the first cruise back, they want to enforce masks, I'm OK with that. I'm scheduled for December 2021, and going into that cruise with the expectation that masks might be required even for vaxpax. If no mask is required, it's a bonus.

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Didn't the Fla lawsuit require the CDC to establish new "within their boundaries" guidelines by 2 July?  I'm anxious to see @Matt posts when he gets on the Freedom today.  I am going on the Freedom on the 5th and was hoping the numbers landed at 95% and they would allow no masks, but that might be wishful thinking.  Either way I agree after not cruising for soooooo long, something is better than nothing ?

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