Cruises In The COVID Times We Live
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Just got back from wonderful 4 day cruise on Royal Caribbean and thought I would tell you what they are doing trying to keep everyone safe and have good vacation.
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Before boarding ship, you must show proof of vaccination and negative COVID test 2 days before sail away date. This was checked 4-5 times (lol) before boarding the ship.
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You have to now get specific time to board the ship (1 hr window) kind of like when you depart ship.
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All RC employees wore mask indoors and outsoors, passengers have to wear them just indoors.
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There is no such thing as a "buffet", you request what food/drink you want and employee will hand it t you.
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You need reservation for shows to limit crowd and must sit at least two seats form the closest person not with you.
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You are instructed to wash your hands before entering the dining room, there are sinks set up to wash hands.
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The "Muster" safety drill is now done virtually for the most part. You watch video and the only interaction with person is them putting sticker on your card to show you completed the drill.
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CDC guidlines for the ship I was on was capped to 1,000 passengers, this was 40% capacity of the ship.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
Just got back from wonderful 4 day cruise on Royal Caribbean and thought I would tell you what they are doing trying to keep everyone safe and have good vacation.
-
Before boarding ship, you must show proof of vaccination and negative COVID test 2 days before sail away date. This was checked 4-5 times (lol) before boarding the ship.
-
You have to now get specific time to board the ship (1 hr window) kind of like when you depart ship.
-
All RC employees wore mask indoors and outsoors, passengers have to wear them just indoors.
-
There is no such thing as a "buffet", you request what food/drink you want and employee will hand it t you.
-
You need reservation for shows to limit crowd and must sit at least two seats form the closest person not with you.
-
You are instructed to wash your hands before entering the dining room, there are sinks set up to wash hands.
-
The "Muster" safety drill is now done virtually for the most part. You watch video and the only interaction with person is them putting sticker on your card to show you completed the drill.
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CDC guidlines for the ship I was on was capped to 1,000 passengers, this was 40% capacity of the ship.
Sounds good to me! I am due to sail on a Celebrity chartered cruise (The Flower Power cruise) next March. Celebrity is owned by Royal Caribbean, so I would assume the same rules would apply. The cruise is sold out - guest capacity is 2218 and there are 999 crew members. (Celebrity Summit)
How did you receive your boarding time? Did they email it to you? I'm arriving in Miami on Sunday and the cruise leaves Monday afternoon at 4pm.
Also, how and when did you reserve the shows?
With our cruise, we are divided into early dinner/late show or late dinner/early show. I picked the former. I never used the dining room, though in 2018. Didn't want to waste time being served and miss good performances! Plus, I am traveling alone (but meeting up occasionally with friends)
One more question: Did you get off at any port, and if so, how was that handled?
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"How did you receive your boarding time? Did they email it to you? I'm arriving in Miami on Sunday and the cruise leaves Monday afternoon at 4pm. "
We did it on RC's application, good idea to load it on your phone. If you want to be on the ship as early as possible, try to do it as soon as you can. My wife set it up and I believe she did it almost a week before we left. Our time was 1:30pm, normally we like to be on board around noon.
"Also, how and when did you reserve the shows? "
Once again, use the application which is pretty easy to use. We did it once we boarded. Due to limited capacity I don't think there is a rush but it is a requirement for now. The only one we did real quick once on board was the ice skating show which was very good.
"With our cruise, we are divided into early dinner/late show or late dinner/early show. I picked the former. I never used the dining room, though in 2018. Didn't want to waste time being served and miss good performances! Plus, I am traveling alone (but meeting up occasionally with friends) "
Over the last few years, my wife and I have done "any time" dining if available. Basically it is like making a reservation at restaurant. This was really helpful IMO when we were on European cruise and got back late from shore excursions. I think we ate at different time every night.
"One more question: Did you get off at any port, and if so, how was that handled? "
We got off in Nassau, Bahamas and RC private island. For Nassau, getting off was no different with the exception of them telling us to bring our vaccination card in addition to photo ID. The Bahamas are very strict and we were told they may ask to see it at any time.
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^ Thank you for your answers! I'm sure Star Vista/Celebrity will let us know what to do when the time gets closer.
Since I've already signed up and paid in full, there is no more application process, just an online check-in, so perhaps that will be when I get to pick a boarding time.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
"How did you receive your boarding time? Did they email it to you? I'm arriving in Miami on Sunday and the cruise leaves Monday afternoon at 4pm. "
We did it on RC's application, good idea to load it on your phone. If you want to be on the ship as early as possible, try to do it as soon as you can. My wife set it up and I believe she did it almost a week before we left. Our time was 1:30pm, normally we like to be on board around noon.
"Also, how and when did you reserve the shows? "
Once again, use the application which is pretty easy to use. We did it once we boarded. Due to limited capacity I don't think there is a rush but it is a requirement for now. The only one we did real quick once on board was the ice skating show which was very good.
"With our cruise, we are divided into early dinner/late show or late dinner/early show. I picked the former. I never used the dining room, though in 2018. Didn't want to waste time being served and miss good performances! Plus, I am traveling alone (but meeting up occasionally with friends) "
Over the last few years, my wife and I have done "any time" dining if available. Basically it is like making a reservation at restaurant. This was really helpful IMO when we were on European cruise and got back late from shore excursions. I think we ate at different time every night.
"One more question: Did you get off at any port, and if so, how was that handled? "
We got off in Nassau, Bahamas and RC private island. For Nassau, getting off was no different with the exception of them telling us to bring our vaccination card in addition to photo ID. The Bahamas are very strict and we were told they may ask to see it at any time.
I want to take a cruise so bad. Did anyone get Covid that you are aware of? Also did you leave out of Florida because the governor didn’t want you to have to show you had a vaccine. Sounds like a fun time!
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love2travel wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
"How did you receive your boarding time? Did they email it to you? I'm arriving in Miami on Sunday and the cruise leaves Monday afternoon at 4pm. "
We did it on RC's application, good idea to load it on your phone. If you want to be on the ship as early as possible, try to do it as soon as you can. My wife set it up and I believe she did it almost a week before we left. Our time was 1:30pm, normally we like to be on board around noon.
"Also, how and when did you reserve the shows? "
Once again, use the application which is pretty easy to use. We did it once we boarded. Due to limited capacity I don't think there is a rush but it is a requirement for now. The only one we did real quick once on board was the ice skating show which was very good.
"With our cruise, we are divided into early dinner/late show or late dinner/early show. I picked the former. I never used the dining room, though in 2018. Didn't want to waste time being served and miss good performances! Plus, I am traveling alone (but meeting up occasionally with friends) "
Over the last few years, my wife and I have done "any time" dining if available. Basically it is like making a reservation at restaurant. This was really helpful IMO when we were on European cruise and got back late from shore excursions. I think we ate at different time every night.
"One more question: Did you get off at any port, and if so, how was that handled? "
We got off in Nassau, Bahamas and RC private island. For Nassau, getting off was no different with the exception of them telling us to bring our vaccination card in addition to photo ID. The Bahamas are very strict and we were told they may ask to see it at any time.
I want to take a cruise so bad. Did anyone get Covid that you are aware of? Also did you leave out of Florida because the governor didn’t want you to have to show you had a vaccine. Sounds like a fun time!
As far as we know, there were no COVID cases. Unless it is European cruise, we have always left out of Florida because it is not a long plane ride or drive from our home in Charlotte NC.
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Nancy R wrote:
^ Thank you for your answers! I'm sure Star Vista/Celebrity will let us know what to do when the time gets closer.
Since I've already signed up and paid in full, there is no more application process, just an online check-in, so perhaps that will be when I get to pick a boarding time.
Yes, when you do the online check-in that will be when you get your boarding time. Things are always subject to change but I think what they are doing now is working. I am now for the first time in quite some time confident that you will get to go on your cruise and I will finally get to do our Alaska cruise in 2022.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
Nancy R wrote:
^ Thank you for your answers! I'm sure Star Vista/Celebrity will let us know what to do when the time gets closer.
Since I've already signed up and paid in full, there is no more application process, just an online check-in, so perhaps that will be when I get to pick a boarding time.
Yes, when you do the online check-in that will be when you get your boarding time. Things are always subject to change but I think what they are doing now is working. I am now for the first time in quite some time confident that you will get to go on your cruise and I will finally get to do our Alaska cruise in 2022.
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This is something I know "Nancy R" will appreciate. The cruise I was on had a "Beatle" trivia contest which was pretty easy for the most part for somebody like me. Anyway, my wife and I tied another couple with the most correct answers. To break the tie, each team had to pick one person for a "sudden death" question. The first one to answer it correctly won the contest. The question was "What was the last song(track) on the "Abbey Road" album. I nailed it with saying "Her Majesty" and won the prize -lol.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
This is something I know "Nancy R" will appreciate. The cruise I was on had a "Beatle" trivia contest which was pretty easy for the most part for somebody like me. Anyway, my wife and I tied another couple with the most correct answers. To break the tie, each team had to pick one person for a "sudden death" question. The first one to answer it correctly won the contest. The question was "What was the last song(track) on the "Abbey Road" album. I nailed it with saying "Her Majesty" and won the prize -lol.
Love it!! What was your prize?My friend Jennifer and I won a contest where they would play a snippet of a Beatles song and you had to identify the song. (you would write your answer down) We of course got all 20 correct and beat out other teams that had many more people on them! We each won a stupid Royal Caribbean pen!
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Nancy R wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
This is something I know "Nancy R" will appreciate. The cruise I was on had a "Beatle" trivia contest which was pretty easy for the most part for somebody like me. Anyway, my wife and I tied another couple with the most correct answers. To break the tie, each team had to pick one person for a "sudden death" question. The first one to answer it correctly won the contest. The question was "What was the last song(track) on the "Abbey Road" album. I nailed it with saying "Her Majesty" and won the prize -lol.
Love it!! What was your prize?My friend Jennifer and I won a contest where they would play a snippet of a Beatles song and you had to identify the song. (you would write your answer down) We of course got all 20 correct and beat out other teams that had many more people on them! We each won a stupid Royal Caribbean pen!
I was expecting the "Royal Caribbean" pen (lol) and I was quite surprised when they pulled out RC t-shirts and asked our size. Won trivia contest on Princess ship with my in-laws years ago and actually we all got a very nice tote bag, there were 6 of us.
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Yankeefan2 wrote:
love2travel wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
"How did you receive your boarding time? Did they email it to you? I'm arriving in Miami on Sunday and the cruise leaves Monday afternoon at 4pm. "
We did it on RC's application, good idea to load it on your phone. If you want to be on the ship as early as possible, try to do it as soon as you can. My wife set it up and I believe she did it almost a week before we left. Our time was 1:30pm, normally we like to be on board around noon.
"Also, how and when did you reserve the shows? "
Once again, use the application which is pretty easy to use. We did it once we boarded. Due to limited capacity I don't think there is a rush but it is a requirement for now. The only one we did real quick once on board was the ice skating show which was very good.
"With our cruise, we are divided into early dinner/late show or late dinner/early show. I picked the former. I never used the dining room, though in 2018. Didn't want to waste time being served and miss good performances! Plus, I am traveling alone (but meeting up occasionally with friends) "
Over the last few years, my wife and I have done "any time" dining if available. Basically it is like making a reservation at restaurant. This was really helpful IMO when we were on European cruise and got back late from shore excursions. I think we ate at different time every night.
"One more question: Did you get off at any port, and if so, how was that handled? "
We got off in Nassau, Bahamas and RC private island. For Nassau, getting off was no different with the exception of them telling us to bring our vaccination card in addition to photo ID. The Bahamas are very strict and we were told they may ask to see it at any time.
I want to take a cruise so bad. Did anyone get Covid that you are aware of? Also did you leave out of Florida because the governor didn’t want you to have to show you had a vaccine. Sounds like a fun time!
As far as we know, there were no COVID cases. Unless it is European cruise, we have always left out of Florida because it is not a long plane ride or drive from our home in Charlotte NC.
Did they require you to show your vaccination card to board? I know Florida was fighting them over that. Of course the Governor doesn’t believe in vaccinations and masks. Read an interesting comparison on that subject of ignoring common sense medical mandates to keep people alive.
Florida vs Australia on following mandates to keep people alive
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love2travel wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
love2travel wrote:
Yankeefan2 wrote:
"How did you receive your boarding time? Did they email it to you? I'm arriving in Miami on Sunday and the cruise leaves Monday afternoon at 4pm. "
We did it on RC's application, good idea to load it on your phone. If you want to be on the ship as early as possible, try to do it as soon as you can. My wife set it up and I believe she did it almost a week before we left. Our time was 1:30pm, normally we like to be on board around noon.
"Also, how and when did you reserve the shows? "
Once again, use the application which is pretty easy to use. We did it once we boarded. Due to limited capacity I don't think there is a rush but it is a requirement for now. The only one we did real quick once on board was the ice skating show which was very good.
"With our cruise, we are divided into early dinner/late show or late dinner/early show. I picked the former. I never used the dining room, though in 2018. Didn't want to waste time being served and miss good performances! Plus, I am traveling alone (but meeting up occasionally with friends) "
Over the last few years, my wife and I have done "any time" dining if available. Basically it is like making a reservation at restaurant. This was really helpful IMO when we were on European cruise and got back late from shore excursions. I think we ate at different time every night.
"One more question: Did you get off at any port, and if so, how was that handled? "
We got off in Nassau, Bahamas and RC private island. For Nassau, getting off was no different with the exception of them telling us to bring our vaccination card in addition to photo ID. The Bahamas are very strict and we were told they may ask to see it at any time.
I want to take a cruise so bad. Did anyone get Covid that you are aware of? Also did you leave out of Florida because the governor didn’t want you to have to show you had a vaccine. Sounds like a fun time!
As far as we know, there were no COVID cases. Unless it is European cruise, we have always left out of Florida because it is not a long plane ride or drive from our home in Charlotte NC.
Did they require you to show your vaccination card to board? I know Florida was fighting them over that. Of course the Governor doesn’t believe in vaccinations and masks. Read an interesting comparison on that subject of ignoring common sense medical mandates to keep people alive.
Florida vs Australia on following mandates to keep people alive
Yes, you were required to show vaccination card and proof of negative COVID test two days before sailing. I think they checked those documents 4-5 times before we were able to board.
