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Seabourn changes since the Pandemic pause


SLSD
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6 hours ago, sfvoyage said:

 

Similarly, I had heard earlier this month that SB is very likely to require vaccination for all voyages through the end of 2021, and I've been waiting for the official announcement to come out.

 

If someone has received or seen such an official announcement, please share a link or visual.

I posted about this last week. It looks like they are taking it destination by destination. If you go to the “Booked Passengers” section on the website you can see for the Barbados cruises, the vaccination requirement has been extended through mid January 2022. With the note that further updates for subsequent cruises will come at a later date.

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6 minutes ago, Navis said:

I posted about this last week. It looks like they are taking it destination by destination. If you go to the “Booked Passengers” section on the website you can see for the Barbados cruises, the vaccination requirement has been extended through mid January 2022. With the note that further updates for subsequent cruises will come at a later date.

Most of us are cognizant about this already.  What many of us are talking about and waiting & hoping for is a blanket official announcement that SB will require 100% vaccination across their fleet, as Silversea and some of SB's other competitors have done. 

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2 minutes ago, sfvoyage said:

Most of us are cognizant about this already.  What many of us are talking about and waiting for is a blanket official announcement that SB will require 100% vaccination across their fleet. 

Apologies for my confusion. Reading the website, I don’t expect anything fleet wide or simultaneously announced. The statement on the web to me is pretty clear … they will announce further vaccination requirements as they work out the arrangements with the individual ports. I’m thinking this will be piecemeal thing.

 

I’m on the Odyssey in March visiting most of the same ports that are on the cruises starting next week so I am hopeful they will extend the requirement beyond Jan 2022 sometime this fall.

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5 minutes ago, Navis said:

Reading the website, I don’t expect anything fleet wide or simultaneously announced. The statement on the web to me is pretty clear … they will announce further vaccination requirements as they work out the arrangements with the individual ports. I’m thinking this will be piecemeal thing.

 

And that's exactly why so many of us on here are dismayed and disappointed by Seabourn:

 

 

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22 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I have no interest in booking a cruise until all onboard--guests and crew--are maskless.  

 

With the growing numbers of non-vaccinated people contracting the Delta variant, and with the timetable for enough vaccines for many countries around the world stretching well into and perhaps through 2022, it seems we're a long way away from the end of dealing with mitigation measures. So it will probably be quite a long time before you can be assured that neither guests nor crew will not need to wear masks at least some of the time.

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19 hours ago, cruiseej said:

 

With the growing numbers of non-vaccinated people contracting the Delta variant, and with the timetable for enough vaccines for many countries around the world stretching well into and perhaps through 2022, it seems we're a long way away from the end of dealing with mitigation measures. So it will probably be quite a long time before you can be assured that neither guests nor crew will not need to wear masks at least some of the time.

I would describe the growing number of non-vaccinated people contracting the Delta variant as increasing the probability that 100% vaccinated cruises will be required into 2022.  Seabourn does not have a full schedule of itineraries until late Spring 2022 and therefore may be choosing to slow walk future vaccination policies.  Understanding no one wants to give Seabourn money and then have a future OBC, but they continue to have the 30 day no fault cancelation policy.  I have been pleased to see the positive reports from the first two week of Greek cruises.  Life is a risk....  I have not been on vacation for 2 years and we are headed to Athens in 28 hours for 3 weeks on Seabourn.  We are also hopeful to signup for 28 days in October from Athens to Lisbon after a few days on the boat to confirm we are comfortable with everything.  Safe travels to everyone.

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21 hours ago, cruiseej said:

So it will probably be quite a long time before you can be assured that neither guests nor crew will not need to wear masks at least some of the time.

 

I realize this.  I hope it will not be so.  

 

2 hours ago, Neverlookback said:

I would describe the growing number of non-vaccinated people contracting the Delta variant as increasing the probability that 100% vaccinated cruises will be required into 2022

 

This is the sensible thing to do if the cruise lines are interested in rebuilding their business.

 

As I said, if I must wear a mask at any point in the cruise experience, (pardon my poor English) I ain't cruising!  

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1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I realize this.  I hope it will not be so.  

 

 

This is the sensible thing to do if the cruise lines are interested in rebuilding their business.

 

As I said, if I must wear a mask at any point in the cruise experience, (pardon my poor English) I ain't cruising!  

We still wear our masks in many public places in Dallas.  I would be willing to wear a mask in a public place abroad, but would not be happy wearing a mask in a cruise ship--and would wait until that is not necessary.  Of course it has not been necessary on these first SB cruises.  

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3 hours ago, robertmartha said:

Neverlookback -safe travels. If you are able to post while on board...would love to live vicariously through your sailing if you can take us along !

 

Enjoy !

 

Bob

Thanks!  I am hopeful to provide insight and pics.  I can remember getting my first covid vaccination and was nearly in tears knowing this dreadful experience was coming to an end.  I think I will experience the same when I board the gangplank the first time on the Ovation.  Steve

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1 hour ago, SLSD said:

We still wear our masks in many public places in Dallas.  I would be willing to wear a mask in a public place abroad, but would not be happy wearing a mask in a cruise ship--and would wait until that is not necessary.  Of course it has not been necessary on these first SB cruises.  

My wife will continue to wear a mask in most places and I don't plan to wear a mask on board.  I will follow all of the Greek indoor requirements and may wear a little bit while outdoors.  Play it by ear and see how it goes.

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1 hour ago, Neverlookback said:

My wife will continue to wear a mask in most places and I don't plan to wear a mask on board.  I will follow all of the Greek indoor requirements and may wear a little bit while outdoors.  Play it by ear and see how it goes.

Yes, I agree. 

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On the current Greek, Cyprus cruises passengers are only required to wear masks in Cyprus.   That’s in all indoor areas and some outdoor areas.   You must also carry your original vaccine card in Cyprus and this is required for proof to enter indoor areas.   We didn’t leave the ship in Cyprus but had reports from other passengers.

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13 minutes ago, Covepointcruiser said:

On the current Greek, Cyprus cruises passengers are only required to wear masks in Cyprus.   That’s in all indoor areas and some outdoor areas.   You must also carry your original vaccine card in Cyprus and this is required for proof to enter indoor areas.   We didn’t leave the ship in Cyprus but had reports from other passengers.

Similar rule applies to Greece from today I think. To enter indoor restaurants, pubs and bars you must present proof of vaccination or negative test. Government justified this as in these areas customers remove their masks to eat or drink and the virus is transmitted faster than other indoor areas (like stores, markets) that proof of vaccination is not required, as customers must not remove their face masks.

 

This rule does not apply to outdoor restaurants, bars, cafeterias etc, which are the majority during summer.

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33 minutes ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Actually Greece does not require your vaccine card once in the country.   

Actually they do, if you want to board a ferry to an island or to enter a bar, pub or indoor restaurant.

 

Even worse TODAY'S new regulation is that even outdoor bars and clubs (not restaurants) will accept only vaccinated visitors. So really prepare to be checked if you visit indoor restaurant and indoor or outdoor bar/club. 

They even prepare an application for smartphones for the owners/staff, so they will scan QR code to display only name and vaccination status and allow entrance, it can be found here Covid Free GR - Apps on Google Play

 

Visitors from non-EU countries will only have to present proof of vaccination without QR scanning.

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2 hours ago, mcondition said:

 

 

Even worse TODAY'S new regulation is that even outdoor bars and clubs (not restaurants) will accept only vaccinated visitors. 

For me, it's not "even worse", but even better for vaccination cards to be required.  Greece is adjusting to the increases in cases and only affects those that choose not to vaccinate.

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3 hours ago, Covepointcruiser said:

Entered a bar today on Spetses, no vaccination proof required and no mask while seated.   Where in Greece are you with new rules?

Just curious what you did in Spetses and if you had a Marina day?  We’ll be there in early September.

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20 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

As I said, if I must wear a mask at any point in the cruise experience, (pardon my poor English) I ain't cruising!  

 

Well, since you have a wear a mask to fly anywhere, and that's part of almost all cruise trips, I guess you ain't cruising! 😉

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 No Marina day in Spetses,  also no caviar in the surf.  The short Tender ride into the town was choppy and this probably negated any Marina day.   They did have an “Officers on Deck” party at 6 pm but I don’t know if Caviar was served.    It was sparsely attended because of the heat.    The weather is perfect if you like sun and warm weather, not a cloud in sight.

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There was plenty of caviar, same as food offerings at the usual 6 stations. It was wonderful to hear Ross introduce each department’s crew on the 2 decks where they were positioned above us.

Just a great time which we followed at the Colonnade for the Greek Market buffet. Sad to disembark today, and some of our US, German and UK friends extended one or two weeks!

 

Happy and healthy sailing!

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As described by the first week folks the covid portion of the check in was very well organized.  Dropped off luggage with the normal porters after exiting the cab.  Then escorted to the large tent, where you signed a release and given a number.  They did the long swab test and was not painful for me.  I did tilt my head back as suggested by a forum member and believe this helped.  Then we sat in a waiting area in the tent and waited for our numbers to show up on the television screen.  Once we saw our numbers, the person behind the desk confirmed we were negative and then were escorted to the normal port entry process with picture, glass of champagne, porter to take your carry on, etc.  Then went direct to room and it was ready with the key cards and cases already on the shelf.  Forgive the pics if they don't turn out well with posting as it's my first time.  Total covid portion was 25 minutes.  Steve

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So far everything is great!  Incredible how nearly the same everything is compared to pre pandemic.  The flight from Newark to Athens was not fun wearing a mask.  I don't have plans to wear a mask on board, but Seabourn does provide some nice labeled masks.  As you can see the room when we first entered is the same with the champagne and later canapes from the host that cleans the room.  Was also nice to see the Herald.  The main differences so far are the crew is fully masked and you do lose some of the personality from the wonderful crew due to the masks.  The lifeboat safety training is actually easier as you watch a required video in your room and then visit the muster station where a person describes the process quickly and they scan your card.  The other difference is the change over in crew as we don't recognize too many yet.  Another effect from 16 months of being shutdown.  I did see Amra in Seabourn square and she has always been a favorite for us.  We went to the Colonnade for a quick bite and it looked very much the same.  Maybe a bit more serving from behind the buffet, but looked the same to me.

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