Live from the first cruise in the Pandemic

[Germancruiser]

On board Mein Schiff 2 since yesterday. I will not describe the ship in detail, since it is very similar to X S- Class and a little Edge parts throwen in. In all a very nice and stunning ship. All and completly for the German market. 

The biggest issue might be check in - due to social distancing and the numbers of people that can enter the Cruise Terminal. I took 1,5 hours to get on board. Nothing to worry about - I expeceted something like this- so it was okay. 

Before one is allowed to enter the building ones tempratrue is taken, that is a very quick an efficent process. The moment you enter the Terminal all goes very swift - they dont hand out the cruise cards- that is waiting in a sealed envelope at your cabin. 

Everything is a bit different, but if you love cruising as I do- it is really no big deal.

No menues, neither in any lounge or bar or in any dinning room. You have to scan everything (QR Code) with your mobil. I wonder how it works for people with no mobiles. So you can read the menue on your device and order as usual.

No self serving buffets. No self serving coffee, tea ... etc.  All has turned to table side service. Works pretty well. 

Hand sanitizers everywhere. Before entering the MDR one is lead to a handwashing station - after that the sanatizer. 

That´s it for now I will be back with how they handle theater, dancing and so such things. 

All in all i did - so far not regret it one minute  to have taken the chance and board a big ship in the midst of a Pandemic.

[portofrome]

It sounds good. Enjoy your cruise.

[ipeeinthepool]

Stay Safe  😷

[poffles]

Thank you for coming here to share your experience.

[Bo1953]

2 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

On board Mein Schiff 2 since yesterday. I will not describe the ship in detail, since it is very similar to X S- Class and a little Edge parts throwen in. In all a very nice and stunning ship. All and completly for the German market. 

The biggest issue might be check in - due to social distancing and the numbers of people that can enter the Cruise Terminal. I took 1,5 hours to get on board. Nothing to worry about - I expeceted something like this- so it was okay. 

Before one is allowed to enter the building ones tempratrue is taken, that is a very quick an efficent process. The moment you enter the Terminal all goes very swift - they dont hand out the cruise cards- that is waiting in a sealed envelope at your cabin. 

Everything is a bit different, but if you love cruising as I do- it is really no big deal.

No menues, neither in any lounge or bar or in any dinning room. You have to scan everything (QR Code) with your mobil. I wonder how it works for people with no mobiles. So you can read the menue on your device and order as usual.

No self serving buffets. No self serving coffee, tea ... etc.  All has turned to table side service. Works pretty well. 

Hand sanitizers everywhere. Before entering the MDR one is lead to a handwashing station - after that the sanatizer. 

That´s it for now I will be back with how they handle theater, dancing and so such things. 

All in all i did - so far not regret it one minute  to have taken the chance and board a big ship in the midst of a Pandemic.

Well color me with green envy!

 

Enjoy it all and let us know how you get on with it all.

 

I welcome your experience(s)....

 

bon voyage

[Gracie115]

Thanks for posting, look forward to hearing all about your experience.

[deliver42]

Thanks for the posting. It all sounds good.

[Wayfairers]

Thanks for sharing. I’ve wondered how things are going and you are doing a great job describing your experience. 

[chemmo]

Thanks for posting, looking forward to hearing how things are, it will give us all a bit of useful insight.

 

Sincere best wishes for an enjoyable cruise...If it isn’t too much trouble I would love to hear some ‘normal’ cruising news, like the food quality and the weather!

[NMTraveller]

Looking forward to learning how they handle the theater, bars, etc.

[Grandmaanne7]

Thank you for sharing your cruise with us.  Looking forward to reading more of your experiences.

[JerseyGem]

Thank you for posting.  I hope you have a chance to tell us more about the "in's & out's"  of cruising during this pandemic.  Meanwhile, stay safe and healthy!  Lynn

[Fouremco]

Great to get a real, live, actual, as it happens cruise review again. I hope that this sets the stage for many more to come in the months ahead. Thanks for taking the time. 😷

[Germancruiser]

Thank you all four kind words- and @Miaminice- I agree- very much so. 

If one wishes to visit the theater or the little „ Schaubühne“ where they show small productions of plays you have to make a reservation beforehand. 

No more open seatng while the pandemic lasts. 

I will do that tonight and see how it works out. So fare it is a wonderful voyage- just imagine a ship which can take more then 3000 passengers ( which is for the size of the ship- is not to much in the first place) with now a bit over 1000 passengers. 

I know that  to be a once in a lifetime experience. No lines- no rush. Extremly silent and relaxing. 

Since I have only four days in which to try all the Speciality Restaurants I booked on all of them - some for lunch- some for dinner. You have to pay A la carte- no cover charge- just as in a regular restaurant- but that has nothing to do with the Covid 19 situation. 

 

I did the MDR this morning for breakfast- worked pretty well. 

I talked to several crew members already ( but not a single fellow passenger - but I just enjoy the  time  to be by myself. ) and all of them expressed how thankfull they were to be back on board a ship and back to earn money.

 

When they arrived home when all crew was sended home- some experienced dire situations caused by the virus. 

 

So they bent over backwards to be helpfull and friendly. 

 

I have just to mention the sail away yesterday evening out of Hamburg. It was almost magical- the decks were crowded all right- but everyone seemed to adhere to social distancing- and the open decks are huge- so everyone could get a glimpse of the passing city with it´s sights.. The churchtower of „ the Michel“ the new Elbphilharmony and world famous St. Pauli with the Landungsbrücken. 

 

We paased several ships on our way along the river Elbe - all lighted up like they were on an actual cruise. I hear later from a crew member that they did that on prupose to greet us - they all are waiting for there turn to reasume crusing. 

Man crewmembers stood around the open decks with the lights of their mobils flashing and we in turn answered. Then of course the horn competitiion as I call it. 

 

As I mentioned before this also my very first time on board a German ship so all of it, for me too, is a novel experience. 

 

I had a great time in the aft section of the ship- they call it „ The Diamond“ comparable to X´s aft bar with the same wonderful view over the Wake of the ship. 

 

More the next time- time for my nap. If you have any questions- just fire away. 

I gathered so many great information during my 16 years  of beeing at cruise critic so this is my chance to  give something back. 

Edited July 28, 2020 by Germancruiser

[mahdnc]

Enjoy your cruise and thanks for sharing your observations and experiences.

[TeeRick]

Thank you Germancruiser.  Looking forward to your continued comments.

[Spif Barwunkel]

You are part of a group of adventurers, testing the waters for many of us who are unable to participate in the experience. Very nice of you to take us along. We will cruise vicariously through your observations and descriptions, while wishing you a safe and much enjoyed voyage.  

 

It should be interesting to note if there is any trepidation amongst some of the crew and passengers. Or, is it pretty much business/pleasure as usual, within set guidelines of course.

Edited July 28, 2020 by Spif Barwunkel

[Lady Arwen]

So far, so good!  Thanks so much for sharing your new adventure with us......I am jealous!

[pixiedust777]

Thank you for sharing.

Fingers crossed that all goes well as it gives a glimmer of hope that cruises may actually be possible in the near future.

Looking forward to reading about the rest of your experiences 😊

[govanguy]

Looks like you could be hitting a record number of views to your great posts. Thanks for sharing your experiences. Looks like a great start. Enjoy your trip

[helen haywood]

I’m green with envy!!  Thanks so much for posting your experiences!

[diamondintn]

Can you tell us anything about the wearing of masks?

 

[Sharkette76]

This is great information. Thanks for sharing your cruise with us. 

[Wine-O]

7 minutes ago, diamondintn said:

Can you tell us anything about the wearing of masks?

 

I was wondering the same.  I suppose if you social distance, there would be no need for masks.  🍷

[yorky]

Really good to here your experiences onboard an actual cruise, we need some cruise positivity for a change rather than one or two of the usual suspects posting every negative article  they can find.