Top 7 Tips for Cruise Ship Sailing in a COVID19 world...
Your Healthy Return To Sail… my top seven tips for sailing in a COVID19 world.
Paper Documentation. Carry with you, printed paper health documents. I encourage you to not rely on digital documentation as you may find your phone battery low or your cellular data or WiFi reception limited. Paper is the analog back up we need to travel with right now. This includes your proof of vaccination, both first and second dose certificates, as well as your negative COVID19 test. Does your cruise line require a PCR or a rapid antigen? Be sure to seek the advice of your trusted travel advisor or ensure you’ve completed this research yourself.
Only sail when you’re ready. Having just sailed on a five night Celebrity Summit cruise to the Western Caribbean I really enjoyed it. I felt safe, secure and ready to have a good experience. However, I know not everyone has that same comfort level. The decision to travel during and as we ease out of the pandemic is a deeply personal one. Ask yourself if you’re ready to sail on a cruise, and ensure that the onboard experience is what you envision and if you’re comfortable with the process. If for now feels uncomfortable seeing people from other countries, dining in an indoor restaurant or sitting on a plane, perhaps this isn’t the time for you to cruise.
Where are you wanting to see? Choose your itinerary wisely to include ports of call you feel comfortable exploring. If the destinations and countries on the cruise itinerary are not places you wish to see, or have regulations and procedures you are not comfortable with, consider a different option. The itinerary of a certain sailing has always been of paramount importance for cruise enthusiasts. Now more than ever, I think you should consider when you’ll actually be disembarking to explore a port, when is the right time to book an excursion and perhaps if in some ports of call you will simply enjoy the ship spaces itself.
Give thanks! Pack blank cards/thank you cards. We were so moved by the warm hospitality of the crew aboard the Celebrity Summit and wanted to express our gratitude. A kind and thoughtful note to a valued crew member will go a long way. The pandemic has been hard for everyone around the globe and this includes the thousands of crew members laid off with no known restart date. As a greeting card giver, I really felt it was a small way I could express my compassion and gratitude for crew we met. We were overwhelmed by the friendly nature and joy we felt from all crew. Of course if you feel you want to share additional gratuities with certain crew, that is at your discretion.
Masks optional. When we sailed, masks were optional for guests onboard. I packed some of our reusable fabric masks and a handful of paper surgical masks for my sailing. While on board the ship we were not required to wear them. However, in ports of call they were required for disembarkation and while indoors at shops (we visited Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico). Regulations vary by country you are visiting. Masks were also required while inside the cruise ship terminal for embarkation and disembarkation at the end of the cruise. Be sure to have a clean, comfortable mask to wear during these times.
Cruising is better together. Bring a friend or make it a family group trip! While the Celebrity Summit we sailed on has a capacity of around 2200 guests, our particular sailing had only 245. Sailing on a huge cruise ship with less than 10% it’s regular capacity was blissful. At the theatre, evening entertainment and during pop up performances there was a lively and fun atmosphere. However, often times throughout the day I found myself with a lot of open space and enjoying a near private yacht experience. If you prefer to have a lot of excitement surrounding you, this is the perfect time to invite friends and family to join you. Ask me what additional, complimentary amenities you can receive if you’re traveling in a small group. I am happy to explain and show you how a group cruise experience can be of great value. Plus this way, you are your own party when it comes to spending time at the Martini Bar, in the casino, enjoying trivia or a theatre show.
Upgrade now! Certainly this is the opportunity to upgrade your room category if your budget allows. With fewer guests on board, I expect great opportunities to continue to elevate your experience and sail in a higher category of stateroom. If you regularly sail in a balcony, consider Aqua Class with Celebrity Cruises. If you regular sail in Concierge or Aqua Class, now is the time to experience The Retreat and Suite Class service from Celebrity. Often times the pricing is only slightly higher than a standard stateroom and you’ll benefit from even more amenities, spaces and restaurants. Celebrity Cruises Suite guests enjoy premium beverage package, faster WiFi as well as extra onboard credit for shopping, the spa or excursions. By booking a suite with Prince Adventures I can also highlight what suite staterooms may be best for your needs, as I’ve had experience with all their various categories.