I just got home from a cruise to the Bahamas on Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, so I thought I would sit down and write about the question on everyone’s mind: What is it like to cruise right now?
Before the Cruise
Covid protocols started before we even boarded! First and foremost, EVERYONE over the age of 12 must be fully vaccinated to sail on Royal Caribbean. They will check, and double check, your proof of vaccination. You are encouraged, but not required, to upload a picture of your vaccine card up to 30 days before your cruise, and then you must bring the card with you to the port. My vaccine card was looked at at least 3 times. I would advise bringing the actual card, not a picture.
The other major protocol in place is that you must get a covid test before you can be cleared to sail. Vaccinated guests must get a test up to 2 days before sailing, and unvaccinated kids must get 2 tests, one up to 3 days before sailing and one on embarkation day.
My husband Bruce and I personally opted for the home tests offered by Royal Caribbean as we felt that would be easier. And it was incredibly easy. We sailed on a Sunday. So Friday morning I got up early, and used my webcam to call into the testing line. They asked for my ID, walked me through completing the test, and then read my results 15 minutes later. I had a certified test result in my email box about a half an hour after I started. Super Easy. If you go this route I have 2 suggestions. 1. Buy an extra test, Bruce’s test didn’t have any liquid in it and apparently faulty tests are not uncommon. 2. Have a back up plan. There’s a walk in clinic near me that offers walk in testing, that was my back up plan.
Embarkation
We had a strict time that we had to check in for our cruise, and they were enforcing it. We sailed out of Bayonne New Jersey, and I had heard that Bayonne was one of the fastest to get from “curb to cabin.” I don’t have a lot of experience cruising, I’m more of a theme park specialist, but I’m telling you it was fast. Our check in time was at 11:30, we rolled up at 11. We were parked, through security, and on the ship by 11:30.
We waited in a socially distanced line, of only vaccinated adults, (unvaccinated kids are checked in in a separate area). First we cleared a small “airport style” security area. Then we checked in. They asked for our passports, vaccine cards, and test results. Our vaccine cards and test results were checked by more than one person. We were then given a special wristband to wear showing that we were vaccinated which would allow us access to “vaccinated only” sections of the ship. And we were off!
Onboard Protocols
The most obvious Covid precautions were masks. Masks were required indoors unless actively eating or drinking. And this was enforced. Crew members were quick to remind people to pull their mask up over their nose or hand a paper mask to those who “forgot” their mask. Masks were optional outdoors, or in vaccinated guest only areas, such as the Casino. All crew members wore masks at all times.
Like many cruisers, our first stop was the buffet. Outside of all food locations were hand washing or sanitizing stations. There were crew members stationed there that would make sure everyone washed their hands or sanitized before entering.
Every other table was blocked off for social distancing purposes.
Tables were sanitized in between guests.
At the buffet, crew served us instead of it being self service. I really liked that the crew were serving us for a few reasons. 1. We’ve all seen someone do something not great at a buffet, this puts a stop to that. 2. It really cut down on the food waste since the crew were serving smaller portions than you might have taken. (Although you could, of course, go back for seconds!)
When it came to shows and other entertaining, we had options. You could choose an “Everyone” show, where masks and social distancing were strictly enforced, or a “Vaccinated” where socially distance measures weren’t so strictly enforced. My husband and I choose to attend to attend the Vaccinated shows, because we wanted to leave the seats open for kids in the other shows. But you can attend whichever option you are most comfortable with (assuming you are vaccinated of course)
Perfect Day at Cococay
Perfect Day at Cococay is Royal Caribbean’s private island. All of the protocols being followed onboard are being followed at Cococay. Because everything is outside, except like the bathrooms obviously, we pretty much didn’t wear a mask all day. After all, masks are not required outdoors. I slipped mine on when I went in the restrooms and when we were on the trams, and that was about it. Crew were masked.
Ports of Call
Vaccinated guests are free to get off the ship with or without an excursion booked. Unvaccinated kids need to have an excursion booked in order to get off the ship, with the exception of the private islands. My husband and I choose to take a scheduled shore excursion even though we didn’t “have” to as vaccinated travelers. We took a glass bottom boat tour of a coral reef, and a brief bus tour of the city.
After we were done, we did walk around Nassau. Royal advised us to take our vaccine cards with us, which we did, but we never needed them. Our vaccinated wrist bands were good enough for us to gain entry to venues that required vaccines. I think the businesses near the cruise port are just used to cruisers. However, I would definitely take the card with me, you just never know.
Disembarkation Protocols
Even Disembarkation was socially distanced. No more waiting around in the lobby, they asked everyone to get breakfast and then go back to their stateroom and wait for their number to be called. No announcements either, they had a special channel on our TV we were supposed to watch. Bruce and I had a super early debarkation time. So we basically grabbed a quick breakfast, by the time we ate it was time for us to get off!
The other protocols were the same as before. We left our bags out the night before, we had special tags to put on them, etc.
Would you go again?
This is the question everyone has been asking since and I got home! And the overwhelming answer is YES. We had a wonderful trip, we felt very safe. After all, how many places have you been lately where everyone was vaccinated and tested recently? I joined a Facebook group for our cruise and we haven’t had a single reported case post cruise even though we have been home for more than week. I think cruising is an incredibly safe and fun way to travel right now!
Want to take your own cruise? Aida’s Adventures has 5 years of experience in planning and preparing the ideal trip for every kind of traveler. Call or text us today! We have access to special cruising offers that are not available to the general public!
Emily Householder Stacey is the owner and head travel agent of Aida’s Adventures, based in Canton Ohio. Emily has 5 years of experience planning amazing trips for her clients. Emily also writes for L.A. Family travel as a regular contributor and wrote a book called Eat Like A Local: Ohio.
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