Cruising Returns!

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What will cruising be like once they start again?  In one word, AMAZING!  I am kidding around a little bit, but the truth is most cruise lines did not just sit and twiddle their thumbs during the shutdown.  Most cruise lines have been working on ways to make your experience not only better but safer as well.  Here are a few of the changes you can expect to see on your next cruise.

 

More Touchless Options – Many of the cruise lines have been working on either wearable tech that will allow you to move about the ship with more ease or better apps that will allow you to complete onboard tasks with ease or some have a combination of the two.  Expect to find touchless entry into your cabin.  The ability to order food from the app to be delivered to your location.  Daily schedules on your phone.  And the ability to reserve your seat at venues from the ship's app.  These are just a few of the touchless options coming to cruises.

 

Muster Drill – This is probably the most positive change to cruising.  Most cruise lines have worked out a way for you to complete the Muster Drill either through their app or by watching a video in your stateroom.  I, for one, am looking forward to this updated process.

 

Buffets – Cruise ships will continue to offer their buffets.  The biggest change will be that instead of serving yourself, there will be a crew member to assist you.  This will cut down on the sharing of germs.  Of course, there will still be the need and opportunity for hand sanitizing stations throughout the ship and the buffet.  We always encourage our clients to use them and to use them often!

 

Onboard Venues – In the early days of the return to cruising, there will be a need to limit the number of people attending each venue.  There will be the need to reserve your spot at each venue; however, this should be able to be completed through the ship’s app.  The ships during the initial return will limit capacity as well.  Both of these limits will help to give a sense of more space on the cruise so that social distancing can be more easily achieved.

 

Masks – The requirement to wear masks is still a little uncertain.  Some cruise lines are requesting that the majority of their guests get vaccinated.  With a complete understanding that some guests cannot get the vaccine for various reasons, the aim is to have the majority of guests onboard the ships be vaccinated.  If this threshold can be achieved, then masks will not be required.  This option is going to vary from cruise line to cruise line.  I would strongly encourage anyone who is wanting to get back to cruising and can get vaccinated to do so.

 

Shore Excursions – This is probably one of the more hotly debated issues revolving around cruising and the return.  In the initial stages of working with the CDC to bring back cruising, it was proposed that shore excursions would be limited to those offered by the cruise line.  This was a bit of a deal-breaker for many cruise enthusiasts.  Now, as we move even closer to the restart of cruising, many of the destinations are well into their vaccination process and the need for this restriction has decreased and will vary depending on the port.  The cruise lines are still working towards a resolution of this problem but it is looking more hopeful that you will be allowed to explore on your own if you so choose.

 

When you are ready to return to exploring the world by cruise ship, contact us, your cruise specialists and we can help you plan your next cruise.