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Mask Policy Update / Casino Smoking ban - received this email today (Jan. 20, 2022)


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Just an FYI for those who are have upcoming sailing and may have missed seeing this. I'm just excited to get onboard!

 

Updated mask protocols for departures through February 14, 2022

With the recent uptick of COVID-19 in the world and added Omicron variant concerns, we feel it prudent to temporarily tighten our onboard health protocols to require masks indoors at all times, unless actively eating or drinking while seated. This new update also applies to vaccinated areas and venues. Lastly, in alignment with the updated mask policy, smoking will also not be permitted in the casino for all cruises departing on or before February 14, 2022.

We're sorry for any disappointment that this may cause, but hope you understand that health and safety come first. Despite the new requirement, we know you will still have a great time onboard.

For full protocol details, please click here. As always, health and safety protocols are subject to change.

If you have questions about these protocols, please reference our FAQs for details or contact us at 1 (866) 562-7625,  or 541-285-9150 for international guests, for assistance. If you prefer to not sail as a result of this change or would like to reschedule your cruise, we are glad to assist. Looking forward to seeing you onboard!

 

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1 hour ago, travellingtannis said:

Just an FYI for those who are have upcoming sailing and may have missed seeing this. I'm just excited to get onboard!

 

Updated mask protocols for departures through February 14, 2022

With the recent uptick of COVID-19 in the world and added Omicron variant concerns, we feel it prudent to temporarily tighten our onboard health protocols to require masks indoors at all times, unless actively eating or drinking while seated. This new update also applies to vaccinated areas and venues. Lastly, in alignment with the updated mask policy, smoking will also not be permitted in the casino for all cruises departing on or before February 14, 2022.

We're sorry for any disappointment that this may cause, but hope you understand that health and safety come first. Despite the new requirement, we know you will still have a great time onboard.

For full protocol details, please click here. As always, health and safety protocols are subject to change.

If you have questions about these protocols, please reference our FAQs for details or contact us at 1 (866) 562-7625,  or 541-285-9150 for international guests, for assistance. If you prefer to not sail as a result of this change or would like to reschedule your cruise, we are glad to assist. Looking forward to seeing you onboard!

 



‘It’s not as strict as it sounds ……. We got the same exact email before our 12/18 Mariner cruise and just got it today too for our 2/12 on Symphony.

On Mariner last month, once you sat at a table in a bar or restaurant, everybody’s masks came off immediately, nobody at all kept them on at that point  ….. they didn’t enforce the “unless actively eating and drinking” at all.  It was mainly only walking thru hallways and in the promenade …… in shows people were about 50/50 with wearing masks.

 

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12 hours ago, ChrisK2793 said:



‘It’s not as strict as it sounds ……. We got the same exact email before our 12/18 Mariner cruise and just got it today too for our 2/12 on Symphony.

On Mariner last month, once you sat at a table in a bar or restaurant, everybody’s masks came off immediately, nobody at all kept them on at that point  ….. they didn’t enforce the “unless actively eating and drinking” at all.  It was mainly only walking thru hallways and in the promenade …… in shows people were about 50/50 with wearing masks.

 

This appears to be a boat-by-boat thing. From people's reports on here over the past couple months, it seems like some boats are being super-strict and some are barely enforcing the guidelines.

My guess is, it largely predicated on how much that particular ship has had to deal with COVID issues. If staff members have seen sailings cancelled or have had to work overtime because of COVID among the staff, they're probably more likely to enforce the rules strictly. Missed sailings and smaller crowds mean fewer tips, and nobody likes longer working hours than they already have. 

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1 hour ago, jeffmw said:

From people's reports on here over the past couple months

"Past couple months" is a misnomer in the sense that this policy only was added about a month ago. 

You're right pre-Omicron the mask rules were being enforced differently. But it seems recently that's changed.

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On the Anthem the Solarium is completely enclosed. With Omicron, it changed to a masked area...unless you're in the water. Still, some people ignore the rule...or to be fair, are unaware. The captain has even added the Solarium being a mask-required venue to his daily position/weather reports. Recently, I have seen instances of crew members advising people to mask up and most comply. Still, some ignore the rule they agreed to follow when booking the cruise. I saw one case where a small group in the corner kept unmasking. So the crew member opened the sliding windows in front of them. It was cold out. When they complained, she told them, again, to mask up. They finally complied. Good move!

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46 minutes ago, SWFL Cruisers said:

This is the main reason we mostly sail on Celebrity. We love RCL however, we love no smoking anywhere inside more.

It's interesting that RCI would ban smoking altogether on Celebrity cruises, which are specifically geared more towards adults, and still allow them on RC, where they're clearly targeting families. That seems counterintuitive.

And if the reason is because then it confines the smokers to an area not meant for children anyway (the casino), I'd venture to say that effort doesn't work. On the Oasis class ships the stench from the casino leaks well into the entryway for the dining room on Deck 3. My kids wouldn't even go into the dining room entrance on 3 because they hated the smell so much -- even at 5:30!

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5 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Yeah, sorry, this American's poor understanding of the many layers of GB/UK/England

While many Americans do use UK/England interchangeably when not applicable, I'd say this may also have more to do with England's sudden impulse to stand out from its neighbors and go populist.

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8 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

Yeah, sorry, this American's poor understanding of the many layers of GB/UK/England

Thats ok imagine how we feel trying to work out how 1 country (USA) can have over 50 different rules depending what state you are in ( for me its usually a drunken state when on holiday lol)

For easiness England, Scotland and Wales make up Great Britain, when you throw in Northern Ireland then it becomes United Kingdom.

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14 minutes ago, Ray said:

Thats ok imagine how we feel trying to work out how 1 country (USA) can have over 50 different rules depending what state you are in ( for me its usually a drunken state when on holiday lol)

For easiness England, Scotland and Wales make up Great Britain, when you throw in Northern Ireland then it becomes United Kingdom.

Yes. Not to go off on a tangent, but I feel like people give Americans too tough of a time when it comes to things like geography and culture. Europeans get upset when Americans can't point out a myriad of European countries on a map, but a lot of that is because as Europeans, you guys may have 10 counties within 500 miles of your home. These are regular parts of your existence. You take trains from country to country. In the US, some people live hundreds of miles from the next STATE, let alone country. And those who do live close to other countries, there are only two options: Mexico and Canada -- one of which is barely different from the US. And the same goes as far as culture. It's easy to to be Polish and understand Dutch culture when everyone you live around is white and Christian and Polish. America is a melting pot, and we live increasingly in areas where there may be a dozen races and cultures and religions and languages within a few blocks. Trust me, a kid growing up in Queens may not know whether Rome is a city or a country, but they know the difference between whites (and sometimes Italians, Irish, etc.), blacks, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Mexicans, Haitians, Cubans, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, etc. 

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36 minutes ago, jeffmw said:

It's interesting that RCI would ban smoking altogether on Celebrity cruises, which are specifically geared more towards adults, and still allow them on RC, where they're clearly targeting families. That seems counterintuitive.

And if the reason is because then it confines the smokers to an area not meant for children anyway (the casino), I'd venture to say that effort doesn't work. On the Oasis class ships the stench from the casino leaks well into the entryway for the dining room on Deck 3. My kids wouldn't even go into the dining room entrance on 3 because they hated the smell so much -- even at 5:30!

I agree. Our family was on Oasis over Thanksgiving and it really did stink at the entrance to the MDR on Deck 3!

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How does "masks required except while actively eating or drinking while seated" apply to those seated in a wheelchair or on a motorized scooter? I may just have to rent a wheelchair to take onboard with me and keep a drink always in hand.

"Hey, I'm SEATED and actively consuming this (insert appropriate beverage here)!"

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58 minutes ago, Ray said:

Thats ok imagine how we feel trying to work out how 1 country (USA) can have over 50 different rules depending what state you are in ( for me its usually a drunken state when on holiday lol)

For easiness England, Scotland and Wales make up Great Britain, when you throw in Northern Ireland then it becomes United Kingdom.

What about poor southern Ireland ?  LOL

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32 minutes ago, HeWhoWaits said:

How does "masks required except while actively eating or drinking while seated" apply to those seated in a wheelchair or on a motorized scooter? I may just have to rent a wheelchair to take onboard with me and keep a drink always in hand.

Would this count as drinking and driving?

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1 hour ago, jeffmw said:

Yes. Not to go off on a tangent, but I feel like people give Americans too tough of a time when it comes to things like geography and culture. Europeans get upset when Americans can't point out a myriad of European countries on a map, but a lot of that is because as Europeans, you guys may have 10 counties within 500 miles of your home. These are regular parts of your existence. You take trains from country to country. In the US, some people live hundreds of miles from the next STATE, let alone country. And those who do live close to other countries, there are only two options: Mexico and Canada -- one of which is barely different from the US. And the same goes as far as culture. It's easy to to be Polish and understand Dutch culture when everyone you live around is white and Christian and Polish. America is a melting pot, and we live increasingly in areas where there may be a dozen races and cultures and religions and languages within a few blocks. Trust me, a kid growing up in Queens may not know whether Rome is a city or a country, but they know the difference between whites (and sometimes Italians, Irish, etc.), blacks, Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Mexicans, Haitians, Cubans, Catholics, Jews, Muslims, etc. 

All that and your not even the largest country in North America! Must be really bad for the bigger country over there lol 

And imagine how that small European Country called Russia must feel, i mean they only have twice the land area of the largest country in North America. 

We wont talk about diversity in Europe as you must be using windows 1948 as a search engine 

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1 hour ago, Va4fam said:

With all apologies to anyone that enjoys smoking, count me in for the permanent banning of smoking in all indoor areas of the ship, including casino.

 

Totally agree with you!  I wish RCL would read some of the "no smoking" comments they get and do something about it.  If Celebrity revenue isn't hurt by non-smoking casinos, then it shouldn't hurt RCL either.

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19 minutes ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

Holy crap !  I will never remember all of that !  Just kidding.  Thanks for the history/geography lesson.  Hopefully I will be visiting in August on Jewel.

We will be on the Jewel in August for the British Isles!  Now we are trying to decide on excursions (lots (castles) and etc to choose from.

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24 minutes ago, Ray said:

All that and your not even the largest country in North America! Must be really bad for the bigger country over there lol 

And imagine who that small European Country called Russia must feel, i mean they only have twice the land area of the largest country in North America. 

We wont talk about diversity in Europe as you must be using windows 1948 as a search engine 

Yes. I think that's the point. I think many Europeans see 'diversity' as simply 'geography'. Being able to name the countries nearby yours and having been to them doesn't mean you're immersing yourselves in that culture, or that you're particularly tolerant. I'm a big fan of European football/soccer and the things that regularly go on with Euro clubs (not really in the UK, but elsewhere, particularly Eastern Europe) and their supporters getting in trouble for racist chants and harassing black players would never fly in the US. For as many racist idiots as we have here in the US (and we have plenty), if you were to go to an NFL game and scream out, calling a guy the N-word everyone around you would be horrified. 

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3 hours ago, Ray said:

Thats ok imagine how we feel trying to work out how 1 country (USA) can have over 50 different rules depending what state you are in ( for me its usually a drunken state when on holiday lol)

For easiness England, Scotland and Wales make up Great Britain, when you throw in Northern Ireland then it becomes United Kingdom.

 

2 hours ago, Ray said:

The UK, Ireland along with all of the  islands are classed as the British Isles 

Any day you learn something new, it is a good day!!  Thanks for the simple explanation! 

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13 hours ago, jeffmw said:

 I'm a big fan of European football/soccer and the things that regularly go on with Euro clubs (not really in the UK, but elsewhere, particularly Eastern Europe) and their supporters getting in trouble for racist chants and harassing black players would never fly in the US.

Hard as it may be to believe its not necessarily a racist thing, would take far to long to explain on here as it dates back to the 60s in the UK and is way off topic for thread, while it would be great having this chat over a cold beer sailing round the Caribbean im more than willing to explain in DM if you wish. 

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19 hours ago, jeffmw said:

It's interesting that RCI would ban smoking altogether on Celebrity cruises, which are specifically geared more towards adults, and still allow them on RC, where they're clearly targeting families. That seems counterintuitive.

And if the reason is because then it confines the smokers to an area not meant for children anyway (the casino), I'd venture to say that effort doesn't work. On the Oasis class ships the stench from the casino leaks well into the entryway for the dining room on Deck 3. My kids wouldn't even go into the dining room entrance on 3 because they hated the smell so much -- even at 5:30!

My Bride and I sailed on the Mariner a couple of months ago and it reaffirmed why we love Celebrity. We did have a great cruise however, even when the casino was closed there were many folks in there smoking. Our favorite hangout spot is the Schooner Bar and the stench coming from the casino was horrible most of the time. I have nothing against peoples right to choose to smoke (I quit 25 years ago but still enjoy an occasional cigar) but I prefer they do it outside.

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12 hours ago, TXCoastPatriot said:

With increased masking protocols and nonsmoking rule in the casinos…

If I am sitting, playing a slot machine and actively drinking, am I allowed to drop my mask?

if I’m sitting at the casino bar, actively drinking, am I allowed to drop my mask?

When I was on Freedom this month I put my mask down to sip then put it back up, out of courtesy.  There were many unmasked and playing, same at the casino bar.  I’m surprised they allow people to sit at the bar, they don’t at many of the other venues.

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On 1/21/2022 at 5:45 PM, Ray said:

England only NOT UK as scotland is keeping the wearing of Masks .

England relaxing the wearing of masks doesn't deflect that the majority of people are still wearing masks during the confines of shops & Supermarkets. The public transport systems are requesting that travellers wear facemarks! In general most people are decent enough to comply to this request. 😷

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3 hours ago, Chris Ferrari said:

England relaxing the wearing of masks doesn't deflect that the majority of people are still wearing masks during the confines of shops & Supermarkets. The public transport systems are requesting that travellers wear facemarks! In general most people are decent enough to comply to this request. 😷

Yet up here in Scotland where its still a legal requirement to wear masks you walk about Nicolas backyard (Edinburgh & Glasgow) and the amount of people not wearing masks even in shops or on public transport is shocking! Yet nothing is said or done about this!! 

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On 1/21/2022 at 12:34 PM, jeffmw said:

It's interesting that RCI would ban smoking altogether on Celebrity cruises, which are specifically geared more towards adults, and still allow them on RC, where they're clearly targeting families. That seems counterintuitive.

And if the reason is because then it confines the smokers to an area not meant for children anyway (the casino), I'd venture to say that effort doesn't work. On the Oasis class ships the stench from the casino leaks well into the entryway for the dining room on Deck 3. My kids wouldn't even go into the dining room entrance on 3 because they hated the smell so much -- even at 5:30!

I totally agree with you on this!  We were on Oasis the end of October and we decided one day to have lunch in the MDR.  I believe we entered on the 4th floor (vax only) and *tried* to have lunch.  The stench was so unbearable we left right after our food arrived.  I could not eat - the smell was so bad.  

We commented about the odor before we even entered the dining room to the crew member at the host stand - she said it was a problem w/ the ventilation system.  She also said that it wouldn't smell once we were inside.  We got a table as far from the entrance as possible and the smell was still unbearable.  

 

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