JeffB Posted August 22, 2022 Report Share Posted August 22, 2022 This just popped up on my news feeds: Celebrity Cruise has rolled out a pilot program on one of its ships to test the masks-free policy on selected crew. All nonguest facing crew will be mask free for a duration of two weeks, and if the results are promising this will lead to even more relaxed protocols across the fleet. In order to get more results the cruise line plans to add a second ship to the pilot program in the coming days. I have no doubt that other cruise lines are investigating doing away with masks for crew as various mitigation measures disapper from the cruising landscape.. How they do it is another matter. RCL? https://crew-center.com/celebrity-cruises-starts-no-masks-pilot-program-selected-crew CruiserNic, Shari, Pattycruise and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 22, 2022 Report Share Posted August 22, 2022 Seems kind of a silly way to pilot it. "If you aren't going to see any passengers, you don't have to wear a mask" Then again it wouldn't surprise me if it's like that already and that's just their way of making it look like due diligence before relaxing crew mask rules. CruiserNic and JeffB 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JeffB Posted August 22, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 22, 2022 I can see the sense of it ...... I'd suspect that crew members that are the most encumbered by having to wear a mask all the time are kitchen staff, engineering staff, deck staff and the like. That's a lot of crew so, they went with that. But I don't disagree with you ...... I can make an argument, based on what I know about mask wearing in general as a COVID mitigation measure, that masks for crew members are not likely to be preventing the spread of the virus among them or guests in any meaningful way. That's just me. I'll give credit to RCG for the high probability that they have data on crew to crew and crew to guest infections that support what they have chosen to let Celebrity Infinity and Reflection test out, both sailing form Port Everglades on Caribbean itineraries. But your due diligence point makes sense too as it very well could be presaging the elimination of the requirement for crew to mask in a couple of weeks saying, "hey, look we compared infection rates before and after mask removal for crew and we have the data to back up removing the restriction entirely. Shari 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 22, 2022 Report Share Posted August 22, 2022 My point was if they're actually trying to see if not wearing masks doesn't see increased cases, then why would they pilot on the crew least likely to come in contact with passengers? You'd think you'd pilot it in the dining room or room stewards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowTieBrigade Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 I would love for crew members to have the option, at least. Our cruise over the summer had a large majority of cruisers unmasked and, juxtaposed with the crew all being masked, felt very classist. Pooch and Neesa 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WaybackCruiser Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 3 hours ago, BowTieBrigade said: I would love for crew members to have the option, at least. Our cruise over the summer had a large majority of cruisers unmasked and, juxtaposed with the crew all being masked, felt very classist. Onboard Spectrum OTS I raised this issue with a few crew members notably our waiter and steward... and they both advised they'd prefer the masks stay for now as their used to it but of course this is the Singapore market where on the ship (even outdoors by the pool) people are masked unless their in the water or on the flow rider. Can't believe how strict they were on board the ship with masking - literally going out of their way to remind people to mask up. Also the SAME DAY testing just to get on the ship is nerve racking - and no plans for that to go away anytime soon. EmersonNZ and Vancity Cruiser 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowen Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 I cannot wait to see smiling faces again. This has been one of the hardest parts of the masking policies, seeing unmasked customers and masked employees, it doesn't feel good at all. JustMeJoe, Loops, CharmMicah68 and 6 others 9 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FloatyBoaty Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 I was on the Wonder OTS August 14 sailing. August 18th they began the company's second pilot for crew masks optional (somewhat dependent on position?) I understand that the first pilot they did - not sure which ship - may have resulted in higher crew positivity, so hopefully this will be successful. What I can say is that it was so nice to finally see staff with their masks off, which seemed to increase over the following days. They seemed pretty happy too! So many smiles and still wearing their "smile behind the mask" photo pins too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snotarni Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 I would love to see the crew that work OUTSIDE at Coco Cay not wearing masks... but that's just me... CruiseMonkey, CharmMicah68 and Neesa 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dmattinson Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 If you have taken a cruise recently, you probably saw but didn't think anything of it, a crewmember having their mask under their nose or consciously pulling it down to be heard easier or just because it was hot and they needed to pull it away from their face. CharmMicah68 and Neesa 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 19 minutes ago, dmattinson said: If you have taken a cruise recently, you probably saw but didn't think anything of it, a crewmember having their mask under their nose or consciously pulling it down to be heard easier or just because it was hot and they needed to pull it away from their face. On my last cruise, when they did that, a lot of faces were covered with eczema. Bowen, Neesa and WAAAYTOOO 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharmMicah68 Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 By no means can I speak for the entire RCCL crew fleet wide, but on the Independence a couple weeks back, we engaged as many crew as we could. Frankly, it gives us joy to connect with the crew in appreciation, kindness, and gratefulness. We love to hear their story and believe in the value of connection, especially if we wish to bless them in some form. First off, the crew have become professionals at understanding obscure mask in noisy environments talk by people who already have broken english. It truly is amazing. There should be a college course on it (bad joke, but not entirely out of the question in this day and age). I simply don't posses that skill and were constantly asking for them to say it again. The vast majority of crew that we would create dialgue with (yes...primarily at bars, on deck, dinner venues, cabin steward) overwhelmingly want to get rid of masks, love to talk to people with their masks off or dropped (looking over their shoulder) and can't wait for it to end. They think it is silly. Especially in light of on Coco Cay it not being required....unless....you were a officer/manager from the ship walking around. Yes, we saw the stripes and rolled our eyes. If we are rolling our eyes..... On a cheesy note, seeing a crew member have a moment of courage to drop a mask, give a wink, and a beautiful smile was heart warming. WAAAYTOOO and Snotarni 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CrznTxn Posted August 23, 2022 Report Share Posted August 23, 2022 On our cruise last week the pool deck attendants typically had their masks below their chins and there were other instances around the ship where the crew had their mask down and no one seemed bothered by it. They told us they were about to start a trial where half the crew were going to be allowed to go mask free and see over the next two weeks how it went. If it is successful then they would allow the entire crew to make a personal choice to go without mask. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TXcruzer Posted August 24, 2022 Report Share Posted August 24, 2022 10 hours ago, Snotarni said: I would love to see the crew that work OUTSIDE at Coco Cay not wearing masks... but that's just me... They don't mask at all Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ray Posted August 24, 2022 Report Share Posted August 24, 2022 Crews in Europe ( not necessarily RC ) have been able to get off ship at ports. When onshore they follow the rules of that country ( almost none ) So they can get off ship go to a cafe or bar and sit unmasked next to or at same table as ship guests for hours unmasked then return to ship and need a wear a mask to serve the same guests they just sat with in a cafe or bar. Doesn't make sense but cruiselines hands have been tied trying to keep others happy and trying to make sure they don't end up front page news for outbreaks etc. Its another step in the right direction thats all anyone can wish for. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmersonNZ Posted August 24, 2022 Report Share Posted August 24, 2022 Voyager of the Seas in Europe currently allows staff to choose if they wear masks or not. Apparently they are the first ship in the fleet to relax the mask policy. It has been made clear that at high periods of COVID infection rates they will bring back masks for staff. This makes sense for both the safety of staff and also the ability of the cruise line to maintain staffing levels (Even a couple of % of staff members isolating with COVID on top of normal sickness/injury could really disrupt staffing rosters. It's not like you can just call a temp to work for a week while someone is isolating) WAAAYTOOO and Ray 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CharmMicah68 Posted August 24, 2022 Report Share Posted August 24, 2022 Observing and discussing the policy with Coco Cay staff was interesting. Granted I was cracking open a Caribbean Lobster at the time or ordering a "Strong Island" Ice tea. I thought I would get a sense of guilt or specialness from them for not having to wear a mask. The ones we interacted with said it was a long time coming and simply feel sorry for ship crews and say it is silly to even keep wearing masks. Outbreaks happen (COV and such). Nobody owns the definition and it is now normalized to whatever metric you feel shapes the reaction. ....just an idea.....STOP TESTING crew and people stop tracing your steps back to anyone who sneezed or coughed by you in the last week. When they have a cold, they stay in. When they feel better, they go back to work. If you continually TEST you will find what you are looking for regardless of the current severeity levels. If we live by "what if" everyday, we wouldn't leave the house. It has obviously become a statement move, so give the crew the choice. I am totally fine if they want to wear one or not. Have at it. Bowen, WAAAYTOOO and motoviper 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
karl_nj Posted August 24, 2022 Report Share Posted August 24, 2022 Masks seem to be optional for crew on wonder in Europe right now. Most crew still wearing them. Mostly more senior staff are skipping them. My head waiter is maskless, but waiter and assistant waiter wearing a mask still. CharmMicah68 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Done Posted August 28, 2022 Report Share Posted August 28, 2022 On 8/22/2022 at 2:02 PM, JeffB said: I can see the sense of it ...... I'd suspect that crew members that are the most encumbered by having to wear a mask all the time are kitchen staff, engineering staff, deck staff and the like. That's a lot of crew so, they went with that. But I don't disagree with you ...... I can make an argument, based on what I know about mask wearing in general as a COVID mitigation measure, that masks for crew members are not likely to be preventing the spread of the virus among them or guests in any meaningful way. That's just me. I'll give credit to RCG for the high probability that they have data on crew to crew and crew to guest infections that support what they have chosen to let Celebrity Infinity and Reflection test out, both sailing form Port Everglades on Caribbean itineraries. But your due diligence point makes sense too as it very well could be presaging the elimination of the requirement for crew to mask in a couple of weeks saying, "hey, look we compared infection rates before and after mask removal for crew and we have the data to back up removing the restriction entirely. I am curious if the crew are required to wear masks when in the crew only sections of the ship such as their lounge, crew dining room, etc.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted September 9, 2022 Report Share Posted September 9, 2022 https://www.crew-center.com/royal-caribbean-international-eases-mask-policy-crew I thought crew had been mask free in crew areas since like February when the CDC said it was ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted October 2, 2022 Report Share Posted October 2, 2022 Crew members no longer are required to wear masks https://crew-center.com/masks-are-not-required-anymore-rci-and-celebrity-cruises-crew The Fox, fireclan, WAAAYTOOO and 2 others 2 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted October 2, 2022 Report Share Posted October 2, 2022 Hallelujah ! AspiringCruisePlanner, CharmMicah68, Shari and 3 others 4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancity Cruiser Posted October 2, 2022 Report Share Posted October 2, 2022 It appeared to be optional on Navigator last week. Lots of crew with no mask on, plenty of others wearing chin masks. Although all MDR staff were wearing masks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GKMCruising Posted October 2, 2022 Report Share Posted October 2, 2022 2 hours ago, smokeybandit said: Crew members no longer are required to wear masks https://crew-center.com/masks-are-not-required-anymore-rci-and-celebrity-cruises-crew Yup. Confirmed by top brass during the top tier event on Harmony this past week. I told our CD that it's just a shame you can't have a fire onboard, crew should have a massive mask bonfire on the helipad. 4ensic, fireclan, CharmMicah68 and 1 other 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pattycruise Posted October 3, 2022 Report Share Posted October 3, 2022 10 hours ago, smokeybandit said: Crew members no longer are required to wear masks https://crew-center.com/masks-are-not-required-anymore-rci-and-celebrity-cruises-crew I’m glad it’s official. On my Sept 15 sailing there were many casino staff unmasked. It took me a few minutes to figure out what was different! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steverk Posted October 3, 2022 Report Share Posted October 3, 2022 I boarded Serenade this morning. The first crew member I met said this was their first sailing without masks. It's a very happy crew! WAAAYTOOO, Shari, fireclan and 10 others 5 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Done Posted October 10, 2022 Report Share Posted October 10, 2022 We just returned from Harmony sailing from Orlando (Oct 2 - 9) and they announced at the C&A special event this was the first cruise where masks were optional for crew. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jticarruthers Posted October 10, 2022 Report Share Posted October 10, 2022 Mariner was officially mask free when we boarded last week. Most of the staff seemed to be happy with the change with a handful that preferred to keep wearing their masks. CharmMicah68 and WAAAYTOOO 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khynzelman Posted October 10, 2022 Report Share Posted October 10, 2022 It's great to see faces again! I noticed staff masks disappearing on the Adventure OTS mid September. Some staff with beards were still wearing theirs. It seems without masks they are required to be clean shaven. CruisinMikeD 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Alt Posted November 1, 2022 Report Share Posted November 1, 2022 Many staff were still wearing masks on Adventure last week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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