The mask mandate returned, at least on one cruise ship when HAL-Holland America’s ms Rotterdam departed from Amsterdam (Netherlands) on May 29 on her christening voyage.
The official naming ceremony is scheduled for the following day in her namesake city, Rotterdam, from where HAL’s first-ever cruise departed 150 years ago.
Upon boarding the vessel in Port Amsterdam, guests were handed a letter advising that masks were once again required at all times indoors – except when eating/drinking – and in large groups outdoors/when physical distance could not be maintained. Masks were also highly recommended on shore tours, particularly when indoors, in crowded areas, and on public transportation.
The letter read:
“We recently identified some positive COVID-19 cases amongst our guests and crew members. They are all asymptomatic or only mildly symptomatic, and they and their close contacts have been isolated and quarantined and are being monitored and cared for by our shipboard medical team. Out of an abundance of caution, we will be requiring guests to wear face masks while indoors except when eating or drinking or in their own staterooms.”
The cruise ship stocked each stateroom with 4 masks (KN95).
For more ms Rotterdam incidents and accidents see the ship's CruiseMinus page.