cruising post Covid? is it still fun?

[maui07]

My little family has the opportunity to take an Alaska cruise mid June. The last cruise we were on was Alaska in 2019. We live close ish to Seattle so just a quick drive and park. We've done Alaska many times, done all the things so now its just more for the cruising experience and scenery than the once in a life time Alaska experience. My kids are 7 and 10- and we've done lots of "normal" traveling during Covid. Just don't want to waste my time and money on something if things are weird or shutdown. I'm assuming pools, ice cream, buffets, etc are still open. Masks are not required is what I read and just a covid test 2 days prior to boarding. My kid's aren't vexxed which we would have to do to go so there's that. Any input from people who have cruised during post covid times is appreciated. Thanks!!

[DaveOKC]

First, HAL has gone to three days for testing instead of 2.

 

Second, there are Pros and Cons.  Pro - on MOST cruises the passenger load is alot lighter (we are projected to be sailing soon at only a 40%!  Reports are that this enhances the service level and reduces waiting, but sometimes some areas are not fully operational.  Cons - you do still have to wear masks at certain times (boarding/disembarking, close quarter venues).  Biggest Con to me is having to take the Covid test a few days before we leave, its just a pain.

[CruiserBruce]

Yes, definitely still fun. Yes, your kids will need to get vaxxed (not vexxed, but I don't know your kids).

[dfish]

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

First, HAL has gone to three days for testing instead of 2.

 

Second, there are Pros and Cons.  Pro - on MOST cruises the passenger load is alot lighter (we are projected to be sailing soon at only a 40%!  Reports are that this enhances the service level and reduces waiting, but sometimes some areas are not fully operational.  Cons - you do still have to wear masks at certain times (boarding/disembarking, close quarter venues).  Biggest Con to me is having to take the Covid test a few days before we leave, its just a pain.

It is three days for testing if you are vaxxed and boosted.  If you have not received the booster, it is two days.

[cruzin4us]

At the current time all passengers including kids need to be vaccinated (as you already know).   My personal preference if I was sailing with kids would be to wait a few more months until they remove the vaccination requirement (especially for kids).    I assume there will be few kids on board until this is lifted.   My kids/grandkids love cruising but they like meeting new friends too, and because many kids aren't vaccinated there might be few additional kids on board (especially on HAL).    

Of course this is just my opinion 🙂

 

[CruiserBruce]

44 minutes ago, cruzin4us said:

At the current time all passengers including kids need to be vaccinated (as you already know).   My personal preference if I was sailing with kids would be to wait a few more months until they remove the vaccination requirement (especially for kids).    I assume there will be few kids on board until this is lifted.   My kids/grandkids love cruising but they like meeting new friends too, and because many kids aren't vaccinated there might be few additional kids on board (especially on HAL).    

Of course this is just my opinion 🙂

 

Actually,  on our recent B2B on KDam, there was close to 20 kids on one of the 7 day segments. I was surprised. Obviously all vaccinated.

[jkrislc]

I actually think cruises has been more fun just because the ships have been less crowded. We've only been on two sailings so far, but one was at 40% capacity and the other was at 25% capacity. It was nice being able to show up to the main theater at showtime and have plenty of seats to choose from. One night, though, there were only about 50 of us in the theater, so I did feel bad for the guest entertainer. The hypnotist didn't have a lot to work with, either.

 

Regarding your kids, check to make sure that they'll be able to do everything they'd want to do. For example, some cruise ships have been allowing unvaccinated children to cruise; however, they weren't allowing them in the kids clubs. Just make sure there won't be any limitations in place.

[Crazy For Cats]

We cruised twice last year and we had a good time on both.  One was on the NA to Alaska and the second to the Caribbean.  We are scheduled to be on Eurodam next week.  I know we will have fun once we get onboard.

[atexsix]

Outside of masks in public areas and the addition of extra Prell stations, it won't feel any different.  Everything is completely normal and as you remember it, in my opinion at least.  We were on the 6th sailing of last year's restart, the ship was at about 60% capacity and it was just the right number of people to not feel packed in.  There were never lines for anything.  

 

Now yes we were sailing under code yellow, it's not like anybody forgot about reality, if you really looked for it and dwelled on it, then yes, it might feel different.  I admit I went extra crazy with the Prell the first couple days, but then I began to relax, and by mid cruise I had forgotten all about it. 

[maui07]

12 minutes ago, atexsix said:

Outside of masks in public areas and the addition of extra Prell stations, it won't feel any different.  Everything is completely normal and as you remember it, in my opinion at least.  We were on the 6th sailing of last year's restart, the ship was at about 60% capacity and it was just the right number of people to not feel packed in.  There were never lines for anything.  

 

Now yes we were sailing under code yellow, it's not like anybody forgot about reality, if you really looked for it and dwelled on it, then yes, it might feel different.  I admit I went extra crazy with the Prell the first couple days, but then I began to relax, and by mid cruise I had forgotten all about it. 

What is a public area considered? theatre,disco, etc? I am guessing. how about sitting in the buffet area after lunch hours just watching the scenery? Are you masked? I am sure, all would be well, we've gone to Mexico half a dozen times since 2020 since they had such little testing requirements so not worried about that. It's kinda one of those too good to be true prices to pass up. lol. The years are flying by with kiddos and just want to make as many memories as we can as a family ya know? Thanks!

[maui07]

51 minutes ago, HappyInVan said:

Post-covid? 

 

Has covid gone away? Did covid get the memo? 😷

 

For myself, I'll just have to live with the rules and conditions of cruising today. BTW, I have 4 cruises booked this year.

 

Good luck.

good for you on the 4 cruises! Don't think covid has gone away and ever will but was at Costco today and they brought back  indoor dining tables and that's the closing thing to post covid I've seen. lolol 

[CruiserBruce]

22 minutes ago, maui07 said:

What is a public area considered? theatre,disco, etc? I am guessing. how about sitting in the buffet area after lunch hours just watching the scenery? Are you masked? I am sure, all would be well, we've gone to Mexico half a dozen times since 2020 since they had such little testing requirements so not worried about that. It's kinda one of those too good to be true prices to pass up. lol. The years are flying by with kiddos and just want to make as many memories as we can as a family ya know? Thanks!

The public areas are the theatre, the areas for embarking and disembarking, including the tenders during tendering, transport for excursions, and the medical center.

[zgscl]

I have taken three cruises since the restart and they have been some of the best that I have ever done. Testing & vaccination were required for all of them. Masks were required for two of the three. Did not impact my vacation one bit. The entertainment was great, food was great, service was outstanding. Occupancy in the 40-50% range. The minor inconvenience of covid protocols was nothing compared to the joys of being back on a ship. Plus the low occupancy is just incredible. No lines or waiting anywhere. 

[zgscl]

On 3/24/2022 at 5:03 PM, maui07 said:

What is a public area considered? theatre,disco, etc? I am guessing. how about sitting in the buffet area after lunch hours just watching the scenery? Are you masked?

For my sailing earlier this month masks were required only during embarkation/disembarkation and tendering. No masks required onboard in any public areas. 

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Yes, I think cruising now is still fun, although I don't have any idea how it will be with/for children. The Covid protocols have been easily manageable for me and having decreased passenger capacity is great.

[jeh10641]

On 3/24/2022 at 9:04 AM, maui07 said:

My little family has the opportunity to take an Alaska cruise mid June. The last cruise we were on was Alaska in 2019. We live close ish to Seattle so just a quick drive and park. We've done Alaska many times, done all the things so now its just more for the cruising experience and scenery than the once in a life time Alaska experience. My kids are 7 and 10- and we've done lots of "normal" traveling during Covid. Just don't want to waste my time and money on something if things are weird or shutdown. I'm assuming pools, ice cream, buffets, etc are still open. Masks are not required is what I read and just a covid test 2 days prior to boarding. My kid's aren't vexxed which we would have to do to go so there's that. Any input from people who have cruised during post covid times is appreciated. Thanks!!

Go for it! We cruised the Caribbean in early December. We LOVED it!

[Wakepatrol]

We just got back from the Nieuw Amsterdam last week. We were exhausted and just chilled on the ship. There was only 960 passengers on the ship, no lines plenty of loungers nobody anywhere on the ship. Dinner at 8:00 had a smattering of people in there. The Pinnacle and Tamarind were virtually empty. Yes it was a fantastic cruise with no lines but there was definitely a weird vibe on the ship. Not good or bad just different. I can’t for the life of me figure out where the  960 passengers were? BB kings club playing their butts off to 15 people dueling pianos playing to a dozen people 10 people in the casino. There was just no energy on this cruise. The saddest part I was thinking as I disembarked was. This unbelievable crew who bent over backwards for us all cruise and couldn’t do enough for us. I never got to see their faces or their smiles because they were wearing masks. I’m not an anti masker it’s just an observation.

I’m sticking to my story the cruise was fantastic but something was just off

Edited March 26, 2022 by Wakepatrol

[KruzPrincess]

I don’t want to be a killjoy here, but we aren’t post-Covid. The majority of people don’t catch Covid on a cruise, but it’s possible. You must be prepared for that possibility which includes being put in a quarantine cabin. I just finished reading 10 pages of comments about several people being sick on the Ruby Princess right now on their current cruise. You might want to read through that. Only a small percentage of people may test positive onboard, but it’s not a fun experience for those who do. I’ve read some of these same stories on HAL, too. This happens on all cruise lines. Check out the CDC site for the color coding of ships. Several are at orange level. I’m not telling anyone not to go, just be prepared and know what the possibilities are. 

[ontheweb]

4 hours ago, KruzPrincess said:

I don’t want to be a killjoy here, but we aren’t post-Covid. The majority of people don’t catch Covid on a cruise, but it’s possible. You must be prepared for that possibility which includes being put in a quarantine cabin. I just finished reading 10 pages of comments about several people being sick on the Ruby Princess right now on their current cruise. You might want to read through that. Only a small percentage of people may test positive onboard, but it’s not a fun experience for those who do. I’ve read some of these same stories on HAL, too. This happens on all cruise lines. Check out the CDC site for the color coding of ships. Several are at orange level. I’m not telling anyone not to go, just be prepared and know what the possibilities are. 

Unfortunate, but true. Does anyone remember when the CDC said it was fine not to wear a mask if vaccinated, and then quickly had to pull that back? Let's hope we are not in for another one of those type of announcements.

[jimmy2x]

We canceled this year’s cruise because of the COVID. Going next February, 21 days on the Rotterdam. Can only hold that the present protocols will be a memory. 

[jkrislc]

5 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Unfortunate, but true. Does anyone remember when the CDC said it was fine not to wear a mask if vaccinated, and then quickly had to pull that back? Let's hope we are not in for another one of those type of announcements.

I do, but I think with was due in part to the fact that those that were unvaccinated had the opportunity to go maskless because there was no way to determine if they were vaccinated or not. There were many places I visited where my family, who is vaccinated, were the only ones wearing masks. And given the fact that between 20-40% of the U.S. was not vaccinated at the time depending on the state/county, it was pretty obvious that both those who were and were not vaccinated were going without masks. That's part of the reason my employer never removed the mask mandate at my work, regardless of ones vaccination status, although that's changing next month.

 

I board today and still intend on wearing my mask in most public areas except when eating or drinking as I do at home just to be cautious. I also don't think I'll ever fly again without a mask, especially internationally. If nothing else, it might help cut back on colds and flus while traveling.

[MISTER 67]

18 hours ago, Wakepatrol said:

We just got back from the Nieuw Amsterdam last week. We were exhausted and just chilled on the ship. There was only 960 passengers on the ship, no lines plenty of loungers nobody anywhere on the ship. Dinner at 8:00 had a smattering of people in there. The Pinnacle and Tamarind were virtually empty. Yes it was a fantastic cruise with no lines but there was definitely a weird vibe on the ship. Not good or bad just different. I can’t for the life of me figure out where the  960 passengers were? BB kings club playing their butts off to 15 people dueling pianos playing to a dozen people 10 people in the casino. There was just no energy on this cruise. The saddest part I was thinking as I disembarked was. This unbelievable crew who bent over backwards for us all cruise and couldn’t do enough for us. I never got to see their faces or their smiles because they were wearing masks. I’m not an anti masker it’s just an observation.

I’m sticking to my story the cruise was fantastic but something was just off

Just stepped off the Rotterdam this morning and it was our 3rd cruise since the re-start and the ship was sold out with people everywhere, it felt like the old days and you felt like Covid never happened but then I saw all the crew was masked along with half the passengers and brought me back to my senses and I kept the mask on while indoors except when eating and drinking. One thing is that depending on when you received your vaccines, the general population is not 100 % protected, we have had the 2 original jabs plus a booster back in October and read that we are about 75% protected and probably less with each passing day. We are 76 and will probably get another booster when available.

Another thing that will upset a lot people, we heard that some people at the Ocean bar one night were bragging that they boarded with phony vaccine cards, if I was there and heard that, there would have been some nasty words exchanged.

Edited March 27, 2022 by MISTER 67

[ontheweb]

25 minutes ago, jkrislc said:

I do, but I think with was due in part to the fact that those that were unvaccinated had the opportunity to go maskless because there was no way to determine if they were vaccinated or not. There were many places I visited where my family, who is vaccinated, were the only ones wearing masks. And given the fact that between 20-40% of the U.S. was not vaccinated at the time depending on the state/county, it was pretty obvious that both those who were and were not vaccinated were going without masks. That's part of the reason my employer never removed the mask mandate at my work, regardless of ones vaccination status, although that's changing next month.

 

I board today and still intend on wearing my mask in most public areas except when eating or drinking as I do at home just to be cautious. I also don't think I'll ever fly again without a mask, especially internationally. If nothing else, it might help cut back on colds and flus while traveling.

I agree that may who were unvaccinated went maskless as there was no checking going on. But, I think the main reason was that they did not expect what happened with the new Omicron variant appearing and being so contagious.

[maui07]

Thank you everyone for the perspective...my whole family had covid in Febuary so could we catch it again? yes, the chances are slim though to get it twice in a 5 month period. Not worried about getting covid, more worried about missing stops, weird vibe, etc. Is there anyway for me to find out the capacity of the Westerdam sailing on June12-19th? Curious to know capacity is like at the moment and kid counts. Thanks for all the first hand knowledge. 

 

I know a few people said, just wait a few month but time is fleeting and unfortunately with kids in school we have to travel on breaks, etc. Thanks!!

 

But gosh!! Alaska sure sounds fabulous on an empty ship if thats the case. 

Edited March 28, 2022 by maui07

[Wakepatrol]

7 hours ago, MISTER 67 said:

Just stepped off the Rotterdam this morning and it was our 3rd cruise since the re-start and the ship was sold out with people everywhere, it felt like the old days and you felt like Covid never happened but then I saw all the crew was masked along with half the passengers and brought me back to my senses and I kept the mask on while indoors except when eating and drinking. One thing is that depending on when you received your vaccines, the general population is not 100 % protected, we have had the 2 original jabs plus a booster back in October and read that we are about 75% protected and probably less with each passing day. We are 76 and will probably get another booster when available.

Another thing that will upset a lot people, we heard that some people at the Ocean bar one night were bragging that they boarded with phony vaccine cards, if I was there and heard that, there would have been some nasty words exchanged.

I don’t doubt you for one second, but it is a head scratcher why we had so few people the week before when it was Spring Break

it’s not like we were on an old Rusty tub. The ship supposedly had three charters in a row after our trip. I was wondering if the cruise line had the mindset with small capacity to take the charter’s instead. I never heard of  three charters in a row, but I’m not in the loop to know😀