Things To Consider Before Booking A Cruise For 2021
Whether youre booking a trip directly with a cruise line or a travel agent, ask questions and do your research. Travis Blanchard, founder of Splash Bytes recommends the following:
- Research all travel restrictions. Each place and city has its own travel and documentation requirements.
- Know the medical protocols. Some cities wont just accept simple travel authority passes from the place of origin. They also require tourists to undergo COVID-19 tests such as swab tests or rapid tests.
- Bring extra budget.There are tons of hidden charges that this pandemic have caused us, says Blanchard. Some of those fees are for sanitation, infection control and many more. Its wise to bring extra money on your next trip for unexpected expenses.
Carnival Cruise Line Starts Providing Complimentary Kn95 Masks To Guests
Carnival Cruise Line has started providing complimentary N95 masks to guests in the cabin at the start of each cruise.
Carnival Cruise Line has started to offer guests complimentary KN95 masks to be worn inside the vessel. These masks are an upgrade of the standard surgical masks and cloth masks that have been the standard during the pandemic.
Recently, several cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Line, have started implementing strict mask mandates on their ships to limit the spread of COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.
Rules Bubbles And More Rules
In general, rules keep us safe. And right now, youve got to follow a lot of rules to sail with Mickey compared to visiting him at Disney World or Disneyland. In line with the CDC-issued conditional sailing order and guidelines from international ports of call, Disney Cruise Line will require:
- All guests 12 and older must be fully vaccinated and must provide a negative COVID-19 test before embarkation.
- Kids 11 and younger must provide a negative test result within the window of five days to 24 hours before a sailing. Antigen testing will not suffice and results must be from a PCR test.
- Documents for all passengers must be uploaded to Disney Cruise Lines Safe Passage website prior to boarding.
- In addition to pre-cruise testing, all guests must take another PCR test at the cruise terminal on the day of boarding.
Any guest, regardless of vaccination status, who tests positive for COVID-19 will not be allowed to board. Once screened and onboard, all guests ages two and older are required to wear a face mask indoors at all timesunless actively eating, drinking, or taking a photoregardless of vaccination status. However, masks are optional in areas outside such as the pool deck, putt-putt golf course, or inside your own stateroom or balcony.
Recommended Fodors Video
Recommended Reading: Carnival Cruises Out Of Jacksonville Fl
Be Safe On Your Balcony
This is a tough one, as there is nothing like listening to the gentle lap of the sea against the hull while you sleep, but for safety’s sake, keep the door locked at night. Also check your balcony before you go to sleep, and don’t leave the door open when you are not in your room, especially in port.
What Is Carnivals Mask Policy
Carnival Cruise Line implemented a new mask policy last month for all vessels currently operating. The current policy is in place through January 31, 2022, and dictates that all guests, ages two and older, must wear a mask at all times when inside the vessel. The only exceptions are when guests are in their stateroom or actively eating or drinking.
During gatherings outside, a mask is mandatory when physical distancing cannot be maintained in large groups. Guests should also wear masks while embarking and leaving the vessel, including during ports of call.
This policy is valid through January. From February 1, 2022, through March 30, 2022, a new policy will come into effect, which states:
We strongly encourage all guests to wear face masks in all indoor public areas, particularly unvaccinated guests, except when eating or drinking. All guests age two and older will be required to wear face masks in elevators and designated indoor entertainment venues, all retail shops, in the casino, and at any indoor activity with children under 12 years.
Guests will be required to wear face masks before being seated in our main dining rooms and the Lido Buffet area, and in other designated areas where signs are posted, such as in the gym unless exercising on cardio equipment.
Read Also: What Happens if You Test Positive on a Carnival Cruise?
Recommended Reading: Do Walkie Talkies Work On Cruises
When Will Ships Return To Us Ports
In the United States, it will probably be a staggered return, said Gray Faust.
Well see only select ships sailing from select ports likely drive-to ports, to start as the industry kicks back into gear. Which ships and ports those will be is still to be determined by the lines themselves.
In addition, protocols will vary by line. Some cruise lines will require adults to be fully vaccinated. Negative COVID tests will be required for kids under age 18.
You May Like: Cruise Leaving Mobile Al
‘not Gonna Be An Issue’
As the travel industry slowly starts to recover from the pandemic woes, analysts believe the CDC’s stricter guidance would not impact business or travel bookings, especially for warm weather months when the virus tends to wane.
People are still calling the travel agent. They’re still booking their cruises through the travel agent, Chiron said. Bookings for 2022 and 2023 are ahead of where they were in 2019 at record levels and at higher pricing.”
And Wall Street is optimistic that the industry will continue to sail on as it tries to overcome the pandemic’s latest hurdle.
The view is this is just not gonna be an issue in six months when people go on their summer vacation, Chris Woronka, a senior analyst at Deutsche Bank who covers the cruise lines and other travel sectors, told Yahoo Finance in an interview.
The impact from Omicron and the CDCs latest advisory is likely to be less of a factor as the year rolls on and certainly not in 2023, according to Deutsche’s research.
The market is just taking a much bigger, longer term view of this and saying that guidance, maybe won’t be out there forever and customers are making their own decision, Woronka said.
People couldn’t go on a cruise for basically 15 months and again, they’re not all back yet, so there’s still that pent up demand, Woronka said, even as he said investors are worried about the appearance of a new variant.
You May Like: How Many Disney Cruise Ships Are There
What Can I Look Forward To In 2022
More than 25 new ships are launching, from Silverseas newest ship, the swanky Silver Dawn to Royal Caribbeans Wonder of the Seas, the worlds largest ship.
Emerald Cruises and APT are both launching luxury yachts in Croatia, while Hurtigruten and Aqua Expeditions will offer new cruises in the Galapagos. Luxury hotel group Ritz Carlton will dip a toe in the water for the first time with the launch of its sleek new megayacht, Evrima.
Ambassador Cruise Line, the first new British line to launch since 2010, launches in April, with the Ambassador Ambience embarking on its maiden voyage to the Norwegian fjords. Meanwhile, Disney, Norwegian Cruise Line, P& O Cruises and Carnival will all be smashing the champagne over the bows of their new ships.
Time, too, to start planning for 2023 and beyond, when an extraordinary array of world cruises await. Royal Caribbeans spectacular world voyage, leaving in December, will take a whopping 274 nights to sail to 65 countries on all seven continents. Celebrity Cruises Edge will sail from Rome to Sydney, with 25 stops in 52 nights. Silverseas 131-day expedition from Ushuaia to Greenland is now waitlist only, while Oceania Cruises 180-day circumnavigation sold out in a single day.
The Cruise Lines That Are Rated
As of the latest update , ships operated by the following cruise lines are included in the table: American Queen Steamboat Company, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Company, Carnival Cruise Lines, Inc., Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, and Silversea Cruises LTD.
Read Also: Marriott Cruise Partners
Will It Be Safe To Cruise Again Soon
While the Omicron variant spreads rapidly around the world, it has not dampened the excitement and planning for the mighty return of cruising. The cruise industrys outlook and safety measures will continue to evolve in 2022 and beyond. As vaccination rates continue to rise, Australia lifts its travel restrictions, and new technologies and scrupulous safety procedures are implemented, the upcoming cruise seasons look set to be sensational.
Take Oceania’s world cruise for 2023 as an example of things to come. It sold out in less than 24 hours. Cruisers who have had their trips cancelled or delayed because of the pandemic are driving this resurgence, alongside new bookings from travellers keen to take a bucket list trip after such a long period of border restrictions.
As cruise lines prepare for a careful return to sea, detailed health protocols have been outlined by the industrys governing body Cruise Lines International Association and by the cruise lines themselves.
The cruise industrys new health measures go beyond those of any other area of tourism and include vaccination and testing requirements for passengers and crew before boarding, as well as extensive protocols covering crew quarantine, distancing, sanitation, ventilation, health monitoring and response procedures.
What It Means For A Ship To Be Monitored Or Under ‘investigation’ By Cdc
Just one case of coronavirus or COVID-19-like symptoms could prompt the CDC to monitor or investigate a ship, which is why it’s important to understand how the CDC determines ship status and where to find the latest ship-specific information.
The CDC’s “Cruise Ship Color Status” chart is kept available to the public on its website and is updated regularly. Ships are broken into five color-coded classifications: Green, Orange, Yellow, Red and Gray.
“Ship color status is determined using surveillance data from the previous 7 days regardless of voyage dates and CDC investigation findings,” the CDC says on its website.
COVID on a cruise:How a breakthrough case sent one couple from an ocean view balcony to the ‘dungeon’
Green status means there have been no reported cases of coronavirus or COVID-19-like illnesses on board. As of Wednesday afternoon, there were 19 ships with green status, and some of those ships are on crew-only voyages.
Orange status means the ship has reported cases among passengers and is being monitored but levels don’t meet the threshold for CDC investigation. There were only four ships with orange status as of Tuesday afternoon.
On restricted voyages, or cruises carrying paying passengers, just one case among crew merits a yellow status, prompting a CDC investigation.
Yellow means reported cases meet the CDC’s threshold for investigation. The vast majority of ships are currently categorized as yellow.
Read Also: What Is The Best Month To Take An Alaskan Cruise
Pay Attention During The Muster Drill
Before your vacation gets started, you must attend the muster drill. This is where you learn where your muster station is, how to don a life jacket and what the alarms mean, should they be sounded. While most passengers listen attentively, every muster has a few people talking all the way through it, people on their cellphones, people trying to get a drink from the bar and couples who hide in their cabins thinking they’ve pulled one over on the authorities. Not clever. Even if you’ve heard the drill a thousand times, pay attention don’t see it as an inconvenience, but rather as an important part of your cruise experience.
Crowd Control And Social Distancing Measures
Australians and New Zealanders are actively planning their next cruise, with international travel finally a possibility again in 2022. River cruises and smaller boutique ships that hold less passengers and offer more space than ocean liners are proving popular, and this limited capacity means that they are selling out faster than ever before.
Big changes to the embarkation process are currently in place with cruise lines that have already restarted sailing overseas. In addition to proof of vaccination or negative COVID test results, many cruise companies have implemented strictly fixed and enforced boarding times to avoid large crowds, fully automated touchless check-in and more comprehensive health screenings including PCR testing 72 hours before departure and temperature checks at boarding. Cruise lines and our Travel Advisors are here to help you navigate the new rules and all the logistics that will come with cruising in the post-pandemic era.
Don’t Miss: What Is The Best Month To Cruise Alaska
Can You Walk To The Beach From Cruise Port In Cozumel
There aren’t really public beaches located in walking distance from the cruise ship dock on Cozumel, however it’s possible to pay for day access to one of the nearby beach clubs. Walk south to the Money Bar Beach Club, a lively beachside hang with a restaurant and spa, as well as paddle board and snorkel gear rentals.May 18, 2018
Travel On Cruise Ships Outside Of Canada
You should continue to avoid all cruise ship travel outside of Canada. If you decide to take a cruise outside of Canada despite this advisory, there are some important facts you should consider.
If an outbreak of COVID-19 or another contagious illness were to occur:
- you could be subject to quarantine procedures onboard the ship or in a foreign country
- the range of consular services available on cruise ships may be significantly restricted by local authorities, especially in situations of quarantine
- the cost of medical care could be very expensive if required, and you may need to pay for your medical bills immediately in cash
The Government of Canada wont pay your medical bills, including COVID-related expenses or medical evacuation.
If youre infected with COVID-19, you wont be able to return to Canada on a public flight until 14 days have passed. You shouldnt depend on the Government of Canada for assistance to change your travel plans.
The Government of Canada will continue to evaluate the situation and make changes as necessary to ensure the health and safety of all Canadians.
Don’t Miss: Park And Cruise Mobile Al
Ship Statuses Are Posted With ‘lag’ To Cdc Site
While the CDC’s chart is a useful resource while observing the cruise industry and COVID-19 and for travelers to decide whether to go on their cruise or to cancel, there is a caveat the site is not perfectly aligned to what is happening on a ship at any given time.
“It is important to know that there is at least a two-day lag in the posting of an updated color status,” the CDC’s Daigle told USA TODAY.
Daigle laid out the progression of how cruise ship color codes are updated by the CDC. It’s a three-day process.
Masking up:Carnival Cruise Line updates onboard mask requirements as omicron spreads
On day one, cases are detected or identified on the ship. On day two, cases are reported to the CDC, data is pulled from REDCap and the color status is assessed by the agency. On day three, the color status is updated on the agency’s public website.
And the lag may be more than two days at times. Posting doesn’t happen on weekends or during federal holidays. As a result, “there may be a longer lag between case detection and posting,” Daigle said.
Cruises And Coronavirus: Is It Safe To Go On A Cruise
Despite warnings from both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the State Department urging travelers to steer clear of cruise ships as COVID-19 spreads, the industry moved forward with planned sailings around the world. But is it safe to be on a cruise ship right now?
Two cruise ships operated by Princess Cruises, the Diamond Princess and the Grand Princess, have been at the heart of the coronavirus outbreak with the Diamond Princess alone, accounting for 696 cases, ahead of countries like Japan. Meanwhile, passengers still quarantined aboard the Grand Princess have reportedly had to fight one another for “rotten food” and other resources.
Read Also: Alabama Cruise Terminal Parking
Cruises Are A Recipe For Transmission
Even on a good day outside of the pandemic, cruises are challenging environments from an infection-control standpoint, Ostrosky says.
On a cruise, you often spend time in shared common areas. You eat and drink indoors at buffet restaurants with large communal tables, attend shows in theaters and touch all kinds of surfaces, from railings to casino games. If an outbreak happens at sea, youre restricted to the boat, which can make the outbreak harder to contain and treat.
Its just a recipe for transmission, Ostrosky says. Thats why its common to see outbreaks of other contagious respiratory or gastrointestinal viruses, like norovirus, aboard cruises.
Cruises are even particularly risky when compared to other types of travel, like driving or flying, because they present more opportunities for prolonged exposure. Frankly, the risk on a two-hour flight where everyone is masked and airflow is good is than being on a cruise ship for five days straight, says Dr. Preeti Malani, chief health officer at the University of Michigan.
Recommended Reading: Are Msc Cruises Any Good
Is There Anything Not Allowed On Cruise Ships
Some passengers will feel an increased threat to their security because of what they cannot bring aboard. Its essential to be familiar with your cruise lines list of prohibited items and be prepared to live without these for the extent of your vacation. This list often includes:
- Firearms and firearm replicas
- Knives with blades exceeding a specified length
- Open razors and sharp pointed objects
- Blunt weapons such as clubs and batons
- Pepper spray, tear gas, mace, and other incapacitating substances
- Stun guns and tasers
The Federal Maritime Commission, FMC, the independent government regulatory agency that regulates all ocean-bound transportation in the U.S., maintains a useful Know Before You Go guide for cruise travelers. It recommends that you:
- Understand the contract you have with your cruise line as specified in your ticket information
- Be aware of your cruise lines cancellations and deadlines policies
- Consider purchasing travel insurance
- Make sure you bring all the proper travel documents and medications with you
- Cruise Ships Online
- The Cruise Industry Has Recently Seen Notable Consumer Safety Improvements
Crime on cruise ships poses unique challenges. A Congressional finding in 2010 pointed out, It can be difficult for professional crime investigators to immediately secure an alleged crime scene on a cruise vessel, recover evidence of an onboard offense, and identify or interview potential witnesses to the alleged crime.
Are large cruise ships safe?
Also Check: Celebrity Cruises Concierge Class