Travel update - what it's like to be on a ship right this minute and more

Jan 11, 2022 4:16 pm

Hi ,

Bill and I will disembark from Celebrity’s Reflection (in the morning) after a 10-day sailing through the Caribbean. So here’s my up-to-the-minute report about cruising during covid.

Data

We sailed with 1150 passengers, the ship holds triple that number. We had about half the normal crew members on board. This sailing was 100% doubled vaxxed, including all crew and all passengers. All on board were tested no more than 48 hours prior to sailing and presented a negative test result in order to board, along with vax cards, and a normal temperature check.

By the end of the cruise we had about 10 passengers in isolation due to testing positive for covid during the course of the cruise. Their close contacts were placed in preventative quarantine. So 10 out of 1150, along with a small number of crew who were found positive (they are tested every 6 days).

Sanitation Protocols

Having spent 10 days on the Reflection and having met all the passenger requirements before embarking and while sailing, I can say with 100% confidence that this ship is cleaner than 99% of anywhere you can go on land. I would lay money that it is cleaner than the vast majority of hospital lobbies.

The CDC has placed intense scrutiny on cruise ships that is not matched anywhere else. Not on airplanes, trains, rental cars, or hotels. Not on grocery stores, pharmacies, or doctor’s waiting rooms.

Different cruise brands have handled this in different ways but all have had to meet these requirements in order to sail at all from US soil. The Reflection is cleaned continually and frankly is more sanitized than my home.

Masking was required everywhere indoors, everywhere in ports and on buses. Hand sanitizing was required along with a temperature check before leaving the ship.

Straight up, we felt as safe if not safer than being home and running errands.

Here’s my best advice. If you are not willing to put up with masking, hand sanitizing, and temperature checks then stay off cruise ships. You will have a negative feeling and won't have a great time. I don’t recommend spending your money and then not being happy!!

Several ports we visited had instant $500 fines if they spotted a tourist without a mask. We were in the Caribbean and these islands have fought tooth and nail to stay as healthy as they possibly can. Many do not have access to vaccines as easily as US citizens. They are serious about protecting their people and their economy from more covid.

Would we go again?

Yes we would, although we are ready for a break from the constant masking. It’s not hard to do but after 10 days of it we will be glad to let it go. We are scheduled to cruise again in early April and we expect having to meet the same protocols.

Things to expect besides sanitary protocols

Right now countries are opening and closing their ports on the daily as conditions change. We were scheduled to visit 5 ports, 3 of the 5 changed to different ports because of port closures once we were already on board. If this would make you mad then cruising isn’t for you right now. It’s going to happen and the cruise lines can’t do a thing about that. Celebrity worked hard to replace those ports, cheaper lines will just give you another sea day and not even try. There are many ships in the Caribbean and not enough berths at the piers for them all as ports close or open and close again.

Suggestions

If you want to try a cruise in January or February and are not yet booked then let’s look for a SHORT cruise just to give you a getaway. 7 days or less. You can test out how you do and if you are ready for more. There are deals to be had for shorter term and near term cruises IF you are OK with the protocols and surprise changes.

If you are not boosted yet and you are eligible, for sure get your booster before you sail. I anticipate that cruise lines will be requiring this in future. Many European countries are already requiring proof of the booster for entry anyway so the cruise lines will have to comply.

If you are not vaxxed and don’t plan to be now is not the time to even try to cruise. Yes I know that some cruise lines have a small number of exceptions but your movements and shore time is limited.

If you are not vaxxed your choices are limited for travel internationally and be aware of testing to re-enter the US if you are traveling by air. Not only that, you might invest in a trip to a country that accepts non-vaxxed tourists (probably Mexico) and that country’s requirements might change before you actually travel. For this reason I do not plan and book travel for non-vaxxed travelers and won't for the foreseeable future. I can’t begin to foresee what might change that could impact your trip or the investment you have made.

Future travel land and sea

The Western US is a great option for domestic travel. It is already heavily booked and some months are sold out. Another option is the Canadian Rockies which isn’t domestic but isn’t very far away. A third option is New England in the fall although it is already heavily booked. If you want domestic travel anytime in 2022 better contact me right now! Holidays and spring break times are already picked over.

Be aware that the domestic air situation has been horrible, and I have suggestions for you about that if you need domestic air as a part of a trip. Word is on the vine that should clear up a good bit by March. We’ll see!

Planning far ahead will become more and more important over this year. I have travelers booking now for 2023 and early 2024. Why? Because thousands of tour operators have left the business, demand is extremely high, and availability is not what it was pre-pandemic.

I spoke in my last email about a wonderful cruise all around Sicily on Ponant, a luxury small ship, in 2023, a Smithsonian lecture sailing. They are currently letting me book with a discounted pricing so now is the time to lock that in if you are interested. Contact me for more details.

I’ve written a short book here so I will end for now. Please email me with any questions you may have about trips you are looking at and I will do my dead level best to tell you up to the moment information and give you my two cents about when or how best to book. I continue to believe that for land travel private tours or very small group tours are the way to go. Your experience will be a hundred times better and easier for you considering travel for the foreseeable future.

There are great experiences to be had if you are ready to give it a go! We will probably never be on such an uncrowded ship again and it was really fun!