Will you cruise if face masks are required on board?

[BeccaG]

The mask I can deal with; I frequently forget that I'm wearing a mask at the parks. The question is what are the other adaptions they will have to make? Characters, shows, excursions, dining, entertainment, etc. Those have more of an impact on whether or not my $$$$ cruise is worth the money.

Yes! If it’s a mask so be it, but if so much of the experiences of cruising are gone along with it I’m going to definitely have to think twice.

 

[BartmanLA]

The debate over wearing a mask could be rendered moot if DCL mandates guests and crew be vaccinated in order to board, which would pretty much guarantee there would be practically ZERO chance of anyone on board to contract the virus let alone spread it to others. This would allow everyone to go maskless, and social distancing would be less likely to be forced on the guests. I know there's going to be a LOT of pushback on this, but if you're of the mind that requiring such measures as masks and SD and reduce capacity, consider if you would feel better knowing other guests you're on board with can't pass the virus to you or you to them if everyone is protected. This was virtually being debated with enthusiasm when there was talk of everyone boarding getting rapid tested at the terminal before boarding to create a "bubble" of infection free guests. This would just take it one step further and virtually guarantee immunity for everyone on board.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

if DCL mandates guests and crew be vaccinated in order to board,

I cannot see vaccination of crew being quickly possible. I cannot see it being politically cool to be using vaccine stock on foreign nationals when the US genpop is still waiting on vax, and the relative vaccine purchases made by the nations much of the crew comes from is pretty low.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I cannot see vaccination of crew being quickly possible. I cannot see it being politically cool to be using vaccine stock on foreign nationals when the US genpop is still waiting on vax, and the relative vaccine purchases made by the nations much of the crew comes from is pretty low.

then there is no need to cruise until it is such widely available...crusie have the reputation of being floating disease magnets.

 

[AZMermaid]

I cannot see vaccination of crew being quickly possible. I cannot see it being politically cool to be using vaccine stock on foreign nationals when the US genpop is still waiting on vax, and the relative vaccine purchases made by the nations much of the crew comes from is pretty low.

I dont think cruise employees will cut the line, but once it’s widely available, I dont see any reason they shouldn’t be able to get it with the general population. For this reason, I also think cruises won’t be starting until at least June and more likely September.

 

[cmph]

Like many others have said, it isn't about wearing masks - it's about what it means if we still have to wear masks. Many of the reasons my kids like cruising would be so different/complicated with social distancing, not to mention how very different dining and quick service would have to be. So it's a no from me, but not b/c I'm anti-mask.

I do think it's surprising that people think enough Americans will be vaccinated early enough for summer cruising, if vaccination is a trigger for resumption. "Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar said in a statement that the latest deal can give people confidence “that we will have enough supply to vaccinate every American who wants it by June 2021"". By June 2021 doesn't sound very promising to me, especially since that statement doesn't even imply they will be fully vaccinated. I'm assuming that means first dose only, b/c the manufacturers are only guaranteeing the full dose orders by July 31, 2021.

I'm also pessimistic about cruise lines being able to staff their ships if vaccines are required, considering inequities in worldwide distribution and the large percentage of employees from developing nations (https://apnews.com/article/poorer-countries-coronavirus-vaccine-0980fa905b6e1ce2f14a149cd2c438cd). Maybe many of the staff are residing elsewhere and eligible? IDK.

 

[DIS_MIKE]

I really don't want to go on a cruise and have to wear a mask. It will mean things are not back to normal (even though we have no idea what the new normal will be) which means I won't be able to fully relax while on vacation. I wear a mask while out and about but it still isn't a pleasant experience...especially when my glasses fog up.

I've passed on WDW for now due to the diminished experience/less magic, so the same would go for DCL. I'm basically on the sidelines right now just seeing how things will go at this point and what all will be affected.

That latest DCL video shows people wearing masks which means DCL will be requiring them for the foreseeable future. As others have mentioned...that means things are not under control. We may have vaccinations but the risk is still there which is why the masks will not be disappearing anytime soon. This will not be a light-switch maneuver where the plexiglass is taken down over night. They will likely require masks even longer just to reassure cruisers even more. We see TSA doing security theater so the same could be with masks. The new DCL mindset could be: Everyone is vaccinated but let's keep masks on and continue to social distance.

I want the regular cruise experience back but that may not happen for quite some time. In the meantime...
I would be fine social distancing, wearing a mask, and not having any shows. I suppose everyone will have a private table during dining now as well. It just comes down to value for me and the experience.

Hoping things come back to normal and soon so the ships can set sail again. Then I'll decide if it's worth it or not. If there are no shows, meet n greets, fireworks or buffets...I would still go but that $5k cruise should be a lot cheaper. I'll gladly sit on my verandah and order room service because I love being at sea but DCL needs to come down on the cost.

 

[lilmc]

If the estimates are correct, the majority of the country will have the vaccine available by early spring

My concern with all these estimates is there are a lot of children on DCL cruises and we don’t have an approved vaccine for kids yet. That is going to push these timelines back. It’s not just my husband and I who need to be vaccinated, but our kids, too.

I am very pro mask and very comfortable in one, my concern would be as many others have stated: it would represent the pandemic still raging, diminished experiences for a lot of money.....so where is our family’s “break even point” or threshold?

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We actually were heavily considering a cruise this year before everything went down. We're more on the "if masks are required not worth it". It's not the masks it's just the whole thing. We weren't planning a Disney cruise though so I suspect some of the reasons someone would wait wouldn't be as applicable to us but still. It's just way too much money to be spent on something where things are still in an environment where masks are needed. Cruising, especially on open international waters, is always an iffy situation with respects to illnesses, ports, etc so this is a situation where we'll wait.

That said Norwegian Cruise Line has def. been heavy on their commercial for a post-pandemic world. Their whole "2020 had its year now it your turn" commercial.

 

[AquaDame]

That latest DCL video shows people wearing masks which means DCL will be requiring them for the foreseeable future.

"Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of the things that May be only?"

This is on DCL's website at the top:



Nothing is decided yet.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

"Are these the shadows of the things that Will be, or are they shadows of the things that May be only?"

This is on DCL's website at the top:

View attachment 546418

Nothing is decided yet.

Seems more likely to refer to all the maskless stock photos tho, you gotta admit.

 

[BartmanLA]

My concern with all these estimates is there are a lot of children on DCL cruises and we don’t have an approved vaccine for kids yet. That is going to push these timelines back. It’s not just my husband and I who need to be vaccinated, but our kids, too.

I am very pro mask and very comfortable in one, my concern would be as many others have stated: it would represent the pandemic still raging, diminished experiences for a lot of money.....so where is our family’s “break even point” or threshold?

From the information I've been able to see and find reported, the vaccine companies are already studying vaccines for children, apparently there's some issue with the dosage amount for children as they're smaller and won't necessarily need the full adult dose of the vaccine. They're expecting it to probably be available for children sometime in Mid-2021, hopefully, that way children can begin to be vaccinated. I also read (I can't find the citation) that the likelihood of children being infected is vectored almost exclusively through adult contact. so if you eliminate the infection potential from the adults, it would potentially allow for a herd immunity to develop exclusive of children, We'll see, but obviously with DCL being a Family cruise entity, striving for inclusion of children on board we sure can expect DCL to make this a priority.

 

[jane01jp]

No.

 

[BadPinkTink]

Well here we go, the fist hint of the new changes to DCL.

For international passengers, this could be a challenge as DCL is following the recommendation of the American CDC, which states that people age 2 and older should wear masks in public. Masks should NOT be worn by children under age 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing.

Other countries have different recommendations, Ireland recommends that masks are not recommended for children under the age of 13, unless in certain circumstances.

How do you feel about wearing masks on the cruise?

 

[BadPinkTink]

New information on DCL website

Some images and content on this website may not represent the latest operational guidelines or health and safety measures that will be in place during future sailings, such as face coverings and physical distancing requirements.

 

[braysmommy]

New information on DCL website

Some images and content on this website may not represent the latest operational guidelines or health and safety measures that will be in place during future sailings, such as face coverings and physical distancing requirements.

View attachment 546488

So each family gets to sign up for one 15 minute slot of pool time the entire cruise? Social distancing around the pool deck and in the pool will be a nightmare even with reduced passengers. We don't have a problem wearing masks but are very concerned with what the experience will look like which is why we probably will not be sailing anytime soon.

 

[BadPinkTink]

So each family gets to sign up for one 15 minute slot of pool time the entire cruise? Social distancing around the pool deck and in the pool will be a nightmare even with reduced passengers. We don't have a problem wearing masks but are very concerned with what the experience will look like which is why we probably will not be sailing anytime soon.

Unlikely it would work like that. If they implement social distancing at the pool area, I would be think more likely the pool areas will be enclosed areas, new screens for example, with a max capacity level. Then it would be a one in one out system. I also see them reducing the amount of chairs and seating areas at the pools. I'm sure DCL will be taking advice from the Walt Disney World resorts on how they are managing social distancing at their pools.

 

[CPME]

Children under 11 don’t need to wear masks in the UK but mine (age 10 and 5) would be fine to do so if it meant they’d be cruising! We’d get them some cute Disney ones, they’d think it was novel and fun. The kids walk around in wings and capes all day, what difference is a mask?? We had our cruise cancelled last year and just really want to go again before our eldest feels too old for it so we’d be happy to put up with masks and social distancing.

 

[sabrecmc]

As others have said, it isn't the mask wearing for me so much as what it indicates for the overall experience if masks are still required. No character meetings? Shows at limited capacity? Pool "reservations"? Limited capacity in the kids' clubs? For the amount of money we pay for DCL, no, I would not sail with those kinds of restrictions, and if masks are still required, it would seem lots of other changes would still need to be in place. I'd rather just wait for things to get back to something approaching normal.

 

[jtntx34]

From what I see in public, young kids do not always keep their masks on even when it is required. So if they are required in kid’s clubs and your kid pulls their mask off, will they get banned? That’s a nightmare.

Social distancing is a joke. No one stays six feet apart. Most people think 3-4 feet is 6 feet, and markers on the floor don’t help. The only way for it to work would be one way traffic, and that will never happen on a ship without people just deciding to do what they want because it’s too much out of the way walking.

There are way too many questions and not enough answers.

For me, I travel as an adult by myself or with other adults. But I would not enjoy the experience with too many restrictions.

I will not pay Disney prices to cruise if all the things that make it special are restricted to the point I cannot relax and enjoy myself.