2021 cruising experience

[allatc]

Would those who have experienced a recent cruise like to tell us what life aboard is like in these post-covid times

[poole boy]

you must wear masks when moving about the ship but not at dinner or in the bars or round pools but you had to in cinema and theatre and shops

[Stephen]

I thought this was interesting from a passenger on Iona maiden.
comment below, copied from P&O Facebook group.
—————————-

We are on the Maiden now, not a moan, but more a question that I reckon even Wesley Dunlop couldn’t answer!

Masks on walking around indoors - yep, OK.

Masks on in theatre whilst sat down - yep, OK.

Masks on in bars unless sat drinking - yep, OK.

So, why are we pressured to sit with other people in all of the MDRs, that’s people we don’t even know? ?? We have a queue, so would you like to share a table??? If not please come back later.

[towny44]

I have to say that I am happy they are still offering sharing tables in the MDR, you are unlikely to be sat too close to be unduly worried, and since everyone is double jabbed or at the very least tested negative, then it won't really concern me.

[david63]

We have a queue,

I thought that the whole idea of the app was to prevent queuing - or have I missed something?

[Stephen]

I guess some either don’t want to use an app or don’t know about it.

[Stephen]

I have to say that I am happy they are still offering sharing tables in the MDR, you are unlikely to be sat too close to be unduly worried, and since everyone is double jabbed or at the very least tested negative, then it won't really concern me.

In which case, why bother everywhere else with masks.

[towny44]

I have to say that I am happy they are still offering sharing tables in the MDR, you are unlikely to be sat too close to be unduly worried, and since everyone is double jabbed or at the very least tested negative, then it won't really concern me.

In which case, why bother everywhere else with masks.

Why indeed?
Although on CC one P&O poster says that you are normally seated at tables for 2, unless you have previously indicated you have a shared booking.

[Kendhni]

In which case, why bother everywhere else with masks.

As RCI found out, testing and double vacs does not mean the ship is COVID free.
Better safe than sorry

[Stephen]

Ken wrote
As RCI found out, testing and double vacs does not mean the ship is COVID free.
Better safe than sorry

I agree, I have no problem wearing a mask where required. It’s almost second nature, a bit like putting on a seat belt.

[poole boy]

we gave up with the app on the second night we
found the app kept stopping working so went to the freedom dinning reception at7.30pm to be told no tables available and given a buzzer after waiting for an hour went back to reception to be told that ours was one of about 20 not working so went upstairs

[Kendhni]

I agree, I have no problem wearing a mask where required. It’s almost second nature, a bit like putting on a seat belt.

I really hope you are not wearing your mask across your crotch

[Esprit]

We never found it a problem wearing a mask around the ship. Even standing close to a bar with drink in hand meant we didn't need to bother, but I did forget a few times when walking off to the toilet.

You soon forgot to even notice all the crew wear them 24/7.

On Celebrity there were no table shares in the MDR (unless all in the same bubble) which we really missed, but we still managed to strike up a conversation with our nearest neighbours.

If mask wearing became the "norm" I would happily accept it. Our cruise last week was more like pre Covid than we anticipated.

The Celebrity app isn't as sophisticated as the Princess Medallion, but still a welcome addition for booking restaurants and seeing what bars were open instead of using the paper version for events/activities.

Passengers can now get off the ship independently from this week so it seems there will continue to be protocol relaxations.

Far more people using the Purell sanitizers stationed everywhere than I ever saw before.

Not being able to serve yourself in the buffet was no big deal either. The crew still want to pile your plates high and would look oddly at me when I just ask for one slice of pizza!

Peter

[Stephen]

I agree, I have no problem wearing a mask where required. It’s almost second nature, a bit like putting on a seat belt.

I really hope you are not wearing your mask across your crotch

I thought that’s how everyone wore them

[Quizzical Bob]

I really hope you are not wearing your mask across your crotch

I thought that’s how everyone wore them
[/quote]

I wondered what the smell was.

[allatc]

Are P&O allowing people to go ashore on their own yet .?

[Stephen]

Are P&O allowing people to go ashore on their own yet .?

Only if they have a note from the Captain

[Stephen]

allatc

Found this on Facebook group page if it's of any help

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[towny44]

Are P&O allowing people to go ashore on their own yet .?

Not on current seacation cruises, and presumably it will continue with the scheduled cruises, until there is a change to the UK govt and overseas port guidance.

[barney]

That single issue will be why we will not be going on our cruise booked for June 22, if this is still in action.
Going on a lovely walk about in a new destination is what cruising holidays are all about.
This excursion only policy is not what we want from our holiday.

[Meg 50]

I have a friend sailing to Liverpool next month. she says she's going to visit her son while there. I haven't dared suggest to her that they might not let her off

[towny44]

I have a friend sailing to Liverpool next month. she says she's going to visit her son while there. I haven't dared suggest to her that they might not let her off

It depends who she is cruising with, I understand that Celebrity and also possibly MSC are allowing passengers to go ashore on their own.

[Kendhni]

I have a friend sailing to Liverpool next month. she says she's going to visit her son while there. I haven't dared suggest to her that they might not let her off

I am pretty sure that I had read somewhere that passengers would be allowed to roam in Liverpool - not sure though if that was all lines or just one.

[Meg 50]

I have a friend sailing to Liverpool next month. she says she's going to visit her son while there. I haven't dared suggest to her that they might not let her off

It depends who she is cruising with, I understand that Celebrity and also possibly MSC are allowing passengers to go ashore on their own.

she's on P&O - Britannia I think

[towny44]

I have a friend sailing to Liverpool next month. she says she's going to visit her son while there. I haven't dared suggest to her that they might not let her off

It depends who she is cruising with, I understand that Celebrity and also possibly MSC are allowing passengers to go ashore on their own.

she's on P&O - Britannia I think

It will be interesting to find out what P&O are doing, all the current info indicates they will only allow you ashore if on a ships excursion, but they may well reconsider if other lines are allowing passengers to go ashore on their own.