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NCL Dropping Masks


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1 hour ago, PG Cruiser said:

Choosing between masks and pre-cruise testing, I’d choose the masks. I’m used to them already.  It’s the testing that really adds stress to cruise preparations.

 


If I had to keep one of the other …… I’d prefer to keep the pre-cruise testing and then have no masks ……. Even with masks, a bunch of Covid positive people getting on the ship won’t have a good outcome.

 

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3 hours ago, ChrisK2793 said:


If I had to keep one of the other …… I’d prefer to keep the pre-cruise testing and then have no masks ……. Even with masks, a bunch of Covid positive people getting on the ship won’t have a good outcome.

 

Testing only prevents those who tested positive at the time of the test from boarding.-there are still people getting on the ship with Covid, who became positive after their test was negative.    It's a false sense of security to think that testing means no one onboard is positive.  It's also a false sense of security to presume that masks will prevent the spread, as all masks are not created equally, nor worn properly. The same can be said for vaccinations as we all now know that the vaccine doesn't prevent the spread, it's supposed to  lessen the effects of the disease (nothing to do with cruising)   The whole thing is really a crap shoot, no matter if it is cruising or at a supermarket, a restaurant, a theater, etc..   Hopefully I'll be on my 6th cruise since August soon enough and whatever protocols are in place I'll follow.  
 

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20 minutes ago, Pattycruise said:

Testing only prevents those who tested positive at the time of the test from boarding.-there are still people getting on the ship with Covid, who became positive after their test was negative.    It's a false sense of security to think that testing means no one onboard is positive.  It's also a false sense of security to presume that masks will prevent the spread, as all masks are not created equally, nor worn properly. The same can be said for vaccinations as we all now know that the vaccine doesn't prevent the spread, it's supposed to  lessen the effects of the disease (nothing to do with cruising)   The whole thing is really a crap shoot, no matter if it is cruising or at a supermarket, a restaurant, a theater, etc..   Hopefully I'll be on my 6th cruise since August soon enough and whatever protocols are in place I'll follow.  
 


Personally, I’d rather both masks and testing to be gone as requirements for cruising.  I’m just saying IF I was forced to keep one of the 2, I’d prefer the pre-cruise testing over the masks.

 

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Carnival is now accepting proof of positive and recovery within 90 days in lieu of pre-cruise testing. In a way both things are happening, I expect royal to announce something soon. I did notice on their healthy sail section it looks like Feb 15th will be the end of the masks everywhere and back to vaccinated areas only for no masks.

Under "do I need to wear a mask" in the faq, it's much more bold on ther website where it says departing through February 14th masks in vaccinated areas. Not sure of they just left that there when they extended it but in their extension they didn't mention it. That is 6 days away so I guess we will see soon.

Masks are NOT required to be worn:

  • In open-air areas of the ship, unless you are in a crowded setting
  • In the pool or any activity where they may become wet
  • At venues designated for vaccinated guests only, such as select bars, lounges, restaurants, shows and Casino Royale. NOTE: For cruises departing through February 14, 2022, masks must be worn in vaccinated-only venues.
  • In your stateroom when you are with your traveling party
  • While visiting our private destinations, unless you are in a crowded setting
  • By any guest under the age of 2
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15 hours ago, PG Cruiser said:

Choosing between masks and pre-cruise testing, I’d choose the masks. I’m used to them already.  It’s the testing that really adds stress to cruise preparations.

 

I respectfully disagree.  I did a cruise under the old guidelines were masks were not required indoors at all venues if you were vaccinated, only in the hallways and they didn't even ask people to where their mask on the Royal Promenade on Symphony back on my October 29th sailing.  We are currently on Anthem on our way back to New York and this cruise with the mask requirement everywhere you go while indoors is absolutely terrible.  The one complaint everyone on this ship has is the masks even at 35% capacity every adult and teenager that I've seen has the vaccination bracelet on their arm and I've only seen a few children under 5 years old.  Wearing a mask at all times while indoors except while eating or drinking really takes a toll on you.

I'd rather they keep the testing policy in place and get rid of the mask mandate than the reversal.  If you know you are going on a cruise 1 week or 2 weeks before your cruise be careful who you interact with, who you get close to without a mask so you can pass the test. This is what we did in both cases before our cruises and we've tested negative every time.  But this CURRENT masking policy has got to go before we set foot on Wonder of the Seas in April it is simply ridiculous and it changes your cruise experience.

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We all have different tolerances to different protocols.  

The testing doesn't bother me.  The Abbott at home test kits have been a game changer.  So easy and convenient.  If I test positive I shouldn't cruise.  That's pretty obvious.  So be it.

It's a not a fool proof protocol.  Yes there is a gap and potential for exposure in between testing and boarding.  No single protocol by itself will ever be 100% mitigation against the virus.  However in terms of impact to me, testing is pretty minor thanks to Abbott and eMed.

Masks on the other hand are another story.  I'm not going to introduce my own thoughts here because this is a cruise forum.  I tolerate masks because I have to in order to cruise. 

If I had the ability to pick a protocol to drop, it would be masks.   

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Another tidbit in the original article is beginning in March NCL will allow unvaccinated children 5 years old and under to cruise with them.  

I think that policy reversal is interesting given NCL's stance and public statements just a few months ago towards cruise lines that were allowing unvaccinated passengers onboard. 

I think we all knew at some point NCL would have to give in, you can't continue to turn away families with small children who can't get vaccinated and think it will not impact your bottom line especially when your cruise line is geared toward family vacations including families with small children.  I applaud NCL for trying this but there is no way NCL could enter into what is expected to be a busy spring and summer season for the cruise industry with this policy still in place.  The policy alone would cost them millions of dollars by turning way thousands of potential guest. 

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Don’t misunderstand me, I’d love to see both masks and testing go away, but given the hypothetical choice, I’d personally choose testing to go away first. 
 

It’s a simple choice for me….I’ve been wearing a mask at work for what seems like forever.   I’m used to wearing one for 10-12 hours at a time, in less than ideal conditions….in walk in coolers/freezers, while performing extremely physical tasks for hours, while talking to people, etc. 

Testing is a huge pita for me.   I have to schedule it around work, then worry about the appt being canceled, then reschedule.  I have to pay for home tests kits to have a back up plan (we’ve had two separate kits missing components, so that sucked).  I can’t isolate myself or limit human interactions before a cruise because I work 50-60 hours a week in a supermarket.  

So yea, based on nothing else but the above, I’d rather continue to wear a mask than deal with testing.  

I doubt it will ever happen that way though, and I’ll still cruise as much as possible regardless  

 

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I am masked and tested at work, so it has become routine. On cruises it is not so bad, as I am either outside or in my room/balcony most of the time - so the hours in a mask are much less for me on a cruise vs. normal life. It's all about perspective. 

I hope the Windjammer stays the same, the reduced touch points by being served or having servings in grab and go cups and bowls is great. Remember Norovirus? Blech.

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11 minutes ago, Rene Desmarais said:

Curious, So how does RCL stop healthy asymptomatic cruisers from boarding the ship so to avoid Covid spread?

The same way they stop healthy asymptomatic cruisers with any seasonal virus (such as the flu, various coronaviruses, RSV, HMPV, adenoviruses, or Rhinovirus).

They don't.

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19 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

The same way they stop healthy asymptomatic cruisers with any seasonal virus (such as the flu, various coronaviruses, RSV, HMPV, adenoviruses, or Rhinovirus).

They don't.

This, we need to get over our fear of Covid.  Vaccinated people have very little risk of getting more than mild symptoms.  

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16 minutes ago, wordell1 said:

This, we need to get over our fear of Covid.  Vaccinated people have very little risk of getting more than mild symptoms.  

Very true. I’m fully vaxed and got covid 2 weeks ago. Just felt like a bad cold for 3 days. Flu is much worse in my experience.

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39 minutes ago, TXcruzer said:

Am I wrong in thinking, with the new CDC guidelines, NCL will not be permitted to go mask-less as they have announced unless the ship is 95% vaccinated AND boosted?

The new CSO doesn't really mention mask use for everyday purposes, except when the ship is in Orange status. Most of the new guidance is regarding what to do when there are positives/close contacts

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43 minutes ago, smokeybandit said:

The new CSO doesn't really mention mask use for everyday purposes, except when the ship is in Orange status. Most of the new guidance is regarding what to do when there are positives/close contacts

What you're looking at are the technical instructions.

Mask use details are in the operations manual: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/covid19-operations-manual-cso.html#mask-use

The operations manual is where it is mentioned crew and passengers meeting 95% "Vaccination Standard of Excellence" a ship can be mask free.

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1 hour ago, WAAAYTOOO said:

We’ll, NCL loves the vax so they will probably require them.

NCL has announced that masks are no longer mandatory as of March 1st. You would think if it is contingent on all passengers being boosted you’d think they would have announced that as it would most likely affect a lot of booked passengers.

1 hour ago, smokeybandit said:

Which they can't do under the new CSO unless 95% of passengers have current boosters.

There has got to be some interpretation that we are missing. NCL would not announce new protocols of no masks if they ‘can’t’ follow through on it.

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2 hours ago, Vancity Cruiser said:

I find it interesting that the first cruise line to supposedly ‘opt in’ to the CDC’s ‘voluntary’ program is the first line to announce they are going totally mask free.......

Looking at the dates, it seems NCL announced no masks beginning in March on Feb 8th…. The new CDC program hit the news Feb 9th… is it possible it was just bad timing and now NCL will have to walk back the no mask rule because it was more important to them to opt into the CDC program? 🤷🏻‍♀️

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On 2/12/2022 at 6:47 PM, smokeybandit said:

Which they can't do under the new CSO unless 95% of passengers have current boosters.

 

On 2/12/2022 at 9:00 PM, Cruiser4Life said:

Looking at the dates, it seems NCL announced no masks beginning in March on Feb 8th…. The new CDC program hit the news Feb 9th… is it possible it was just bad timing and now NCL will have to walk back the no mask rule because it was more important to them to opt into the CDC program? 🤷🏻‍♀️


It sounds like NCL was blindsided by the new rules and will be re-thinking their opt-in that occurred before the rules were released.

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