Covepointcruiser

If you look at the CDC world map, the great majority of the countries are Level 4, advise against travel.    Some popular destinations, Mexico, have been Level 4 since the pandemic began.   Travelers will continue to take their vacations to all of the Level 4 localities including travel on cruise ships.   The new CDC advice is nothing to get excited about.

With the a,out of new COVID infections a positive case can be expected.   I saw in the news this morning that Florida new COVID cases were up over 500% over the last two weeks.   Testing two days before sailing is not helping much.   I hope they can figure out how to test right before boarding at the pier.

To anyone fearful of not getting the test to fly home, there is testing available at the airports at Miami and For Lauderdale.   

Even though the Omicron variant is mild in vaccinated and boosted passengers, I certainly don’t want folks spreading the virus around the ship so being confined to your cabin if you test positive is essential.   I don’t want the hassle of testing positive and being confined to my cabin. 

With the recent surge in COVID infections, let’s hope they keep sailing well below capacity.

Considering the U.S. just had the largest number of new infections since the Pandemic began today, 12/17, I can see new restrictions taking place.   Though not ideal, I will wear a mask as long as I can cruise.

Thanks for this great information.   We have an Ovation cruise on 1/30 and will be flying to Miami.

If we can’t get a test done in BWI before we fly out it nice to have another option.

Cunard and Holland American offer full world cruises.   There is no reason for Celebrity to go through the trouble as many of their best customers are content to do B2B2B2B and sail on the ships regardless of the destinations even stying in the Caribbean for months.

If someone is unhappy with Celebrity try another cruise line.   It may just be me but I think the OP was treated fairly even if they didn’t get a SV.

IV cabin is definitely a upgrade over a port hole cabin.   Didn’t even know they still had them on the “E” class.   The cabin has more square footage than the OPs original cabin.    Even in the new actual balcony cabins, if you leave the door to the verandah open, the air conditioning or heat will switch off.    One of the changes to make ships more environmentally friendly.

Whatever the current restriction it’s up to Celebrity to keep you apprised of the requirements.   Things are changing every day and are not getting easier.   I am sure you are aware of the conditions as far as medical care in St. Croix so I can understand why they would not want additional risks for infection.

I much prefer the Pellegrino and always buy in glass bottles.   I doubt the plastic will be available much longer.   It really doesn’t retain the bubbles as well as the glass and sometimes has a plastic type taste.   I am all for the glass bottles.

We have cruised both lines.   The basic Celebrity Sky Suite and the basic Seabourn Suite are similar as neither cabin is an actual suite with a separate bedroom.   The higher level suites on Celebrity, Royal Suite and above, compare with the better suites on Seabourn.   The entire ship, on Seabourn,is a retreat and every passenger is treated the same.   There is no special attention given the higher level suites in passenger areas on Seabourn.    No extra charges on Seabourn for drinks, basic wines and specialty dining.

We always grab a cab to off site parking.   It’s much better than waiting for a shuttle.

Great review from passengers not sailing in a high level suite.   We agree with you about the Murano restaurant.    We have always found in stuffy and pretentious with just a couple of decent tables for two.   Some of the food is good but it is too rich to appreciate more than one course.   If you are a big eater it may suit you but neither of us are used to eating that much food.

It doesn’t matter if it is 24 hours, as long as Celebrity does the test onboard.   Of course those folks wanting to do a quick getaway as the ship docks will hope it is at most 24 hours before you land in the U.S.   If not, there would be some early morning testing done the day before the ship docks.

Wash and fold doesn’t work for our cruise clothing.   We usually wash, lightly dry and hang everything except underwear and socks.   The wash and fold option leaves us with unwearable clothing.   They need a guest laundry or they should return your laundry pressed and on hangers.

I thought you now need a negative test within 24 hour of getting on a flight to the U.S.    Celebrity has their own rules for testing and maybe they will stay with a test within 48 hours of boarding the ship.

This may not be the best time to travel with a child who has a phobia about needles and nasal swabs.    With the new variant I would expect even more testing.

Is he actually in your room without a mask??!    I thought the crew had to be masked whenever they were indoors, even in your massive suite.

This is why we always use a travel agent.   There is no additional charge to use an agent so why would I spend my valuable time on the phone with the cruise line.   Our agent takes care of all of this.

It’s too bad to have to lie to get the test.   I’d find another way but that’s just me.

Docked there permanently?   What’s the problem as they look prepared to board fellow Scientologists.   Those folks are certainly alive and well in Clearwater.

That $10K maximum per person is the problem.   Most serious medical incidents would be well in excess of that amount.   My card covers the same but it is hardly an adequate amount.   We really lost out on our yearly travel insurance policy in 2020, but will look at it again in 2022.

Great prices, can anyone on the ship sign up for the test?   Prices are much higher off the cruise ship.