How 'Back To Normal' is a Cruise?
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- Опубликовано: 18 сен 2024
- Cruises changed a lot since 2020, but many of the protocols and policies implemented in 2020 and 2021 have been rolled back. What has changed? What's gone back to normal? And what can YOU expect?
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We think there is still a problem with service due to the overwhelming task of replacing so many personnel. The staff are mostly very friendly and eager to please, but this doesn't always translate into great service. Also, we have noticed shore excursions are not back to pre-Covid "normal". I am confident these will continue to get better over time.
I found there were a lot of activities cancelled due to lack of staff but that was in January so hopefully not anymore
one of my favorite protocols they enacted (sadly temporarily) was no smoking in the casino - we were on the odyssey last Xmas when it came down and it was awesome.
Thanks Matt I appreciate the Covid updates. In 2023 I am looking to get back cruising. Now that we live in Florida it will be easy to set up
Just off of the Rhapsody of the Seas. Everything was pretty much normal, re my pre Covid cruises, except the embarkation process…it was a breeze compared to previous experience. Zero complaints.
Going on a cruise in 2 weeks with royal. The family is super excited. Also got one booked for the summer 2023.
We spent Nov 8-27 on Rhapsody of the Seas from Barcelona to Barbados transatlantic and an island hop. All access and entertainment tours were back, coffee with an officer every morning (at sea), shared dining tables were an option again. The only thing I noticed was that the senior staff was not as present as compared to pre-covid times. Shore excursions were back to meeting in the theatre as opposed to on the dock but not as full as prior. The staff was very good at getting people to sanitize before entering windjammer and dining rooms. Ice cream was back to self serve. I love the new muster process and slotted arrival times and the drink vouchers for Diamond members. My only complaint was the same old shows need to be overhauled (piano man and Ballroom fever) and the food quality has gone downhill as compared to the past. But I’m happy for new menu options like the daily Indian dishes, they were fantastic.
I dislike crowds, so never wanted to take a cruise. Ironically, my first will be a 10 night cruise early 2023 that includes a stop in Columbia. My enthusiasm is completely dimimished now because so many people are ignoring logical steps to avoid spreading germs. I don't want to cancel but I also don't want to catch a bug. I don't think there's a win in this situation.
You can still mask up if you chose. There weren’t many others doing it but some did. I went to breakfast super early before the crowds and then did dinner just before closing. I just got back and I avoided the crowds and just did things off hours. Plus take the stairs as much as possible. You can still enjoy yourself and help limit your risk of getting sick.
We did a cruise in October and wore masks in public places. You can only control yourself, so we did what we could to mitigate problems with masks, hand sanitizer, taking stairs, and social distancing (which was more like 2 feet away instead of 2 inches at times!). Thankfully, came home healthy!
We were in Southampton, England last Sept. 2022 and we selected our Check In time was 1300 (1:00pm) . We checked in and boarded Anthem of the Seas at 1100 (11:00am) with no problem.
Thanks Matt. You are a great resource for my family
Great information thank you. I have a cruise coming up in January hopefully everything will go smoothly.
Hey Matt! We just finished two cruises on Royal in less than six weeks on the allure of the seas! I love all of the changes! We just hit platinum status! We were surprised at all of the benefits that come with the loyalty program! We are well on our way to diamond status, and cannot wait! Our next cruise is this April! I wish I had known about videos like this, when we first started cruising years ago! Your tips have been a game changer for the enjoyment of our cruises! Thank you and keep up with the great content!
So glad to hear you had a great time, Meka!
Latest cruise was Thanksgiving week on the Allure. We were on for a family / friends cruise, as were many others! 🙂
Observations:
1. Staff seemed to be at full capacity. This may be since this was only Allure's 2nd revenue cruise since she repositioned to Galveston. The ship was definitely packed since it was a holiday cruise.
2. All shows were very well attended. Really needed to make sure you were there early for optimum seating.
3. With ship sailing at full capacity, once again, the Windjammer for this size ship is woefully under sized. Stayed away as much as possible! 🙂
4. One thing that has not reappeared is the Tutti Salad Bar at lunch in the main dining room and the self standing buffet options some ships would also have at lunch in the MDR.
5. Our cruise was the first time to see the reappearance on the Allure of the "Crazy Quest" as it was noted in the Compass and app.
6. There is no longer a sandwich menu posted on the wall at the Park Cafe. Pre-made sandwiches are displayed in a glass case and that is how you request what you want with the exception of the kummelweck (roast beef) sandwiches. Salad bar pretty much the same.
7. Noticing online, many shore excursions than I previously remember are showing as sold out.
I’m loving the back to normal cruise experience. I went on a cruise (Liberty) in November 2021 and while it wasn’t awful it was not as much fun. There were masks required, elevator restrictions and the worse was so few guests. I love meeting and talking with people from all over. I just completed my 4th cruise of 2022 and loving the near back to normal. I’ll be back in Feb on Allure.
Whoa which mix drink is that Orange Fanta? I still dont like the self service buffet. Too many folks licking their fingers and not using hand sanitizer prior to going for more food. Germs!
Just got off Grandeur yesterday (Dec 11) and I wanted to note something. Around day 4 we got a note saying that a few people were displaying symptoms of norovirus. Nothing really changed until around day 7 where the self service buffet was no longer self service. They never said anything specific to us, but I imagine that the numbers of people displaying symptoms was increasing. The only changes that were noticeable however to me was that they increased the emphasis of sanitizing and the buffet was now the crew serving us. Just wanted to throw that out there.
I disembarked Ovation on the 14th here in Sydney my first RCI in over 2years there were quite a few changes they struggling with staffing issues in the MDR slow service also Diamond members and above don't have their own lounge. At Captains Corner it was explained there are so many members Diamond and above we even had someone that had reached double Pinnacle however I was pleased to be back booked again in March.
I was on Anthem last week and noticed a handful of things..... the ships are full of adults and children again but the theater was always half full if that. While I had always noticed supervisors help clean tables in the Windjammer when it was busy, last week it seemed as though there were more supervisors than front line staff cleaning tables. Other then unsupervised kids, most of the adults seem a bit more contentious about what they touch in the different food venues. The app was kind of wonky, at times it took forever to load or would open and close again, then at other times it was great.
I do miss the priority boarding also!!
Out of all the changes they recently did. I have to say I liked the service in the Buffet where the crew helped you with the food instead of self serve. But i can see the Pros and cons of it.
Pro and why I miss it. It's a lot more cleaner in the Buffet. Went on a cruise in Aug after it went back to self serve and people were making messes left and right. When they helped, it was way down. Another pro was people (like myself XD) weren't over doing it with the food as well. We all have to admit, when it comes to self serve, our eyes are bigger then our stomachs. And when the Crew helped put food on the plates. We are more restrictive on how much we should have on them.
Con. It's a lot more work for the crew. This one is pretty much explains itself.
I just finished my cruise 2 weeks ago. The main things I noticed were:
1. I'm not supposed to fill up my water bottle at a water fountain or water/ice machine according to the posted signs. Most people including myself ignored it and no one seemed to care. I can't image there's any sort of risk to filling up my water bottle verses the soda cup or someone drinking from the water fountain.
2. Character Breakfast for children is no longer held...
3. Child camp no longer picks up children during dinner and IT"S CLOSED from 5-7PM so you don't even have the option to drop your children off after they eat so you can enjoy a child free dinner. Almost all families either each at 5:15 or the my time dinning that starts at 5:30. Eating after 7 with young children just isn't an option and honestly isn't a healthy option unless you plan on staying up late.
Looking forward to our next cruise in 2023...
We recently returned (November) from a b2b2b cruise ( 30 day total) on Radiance OTS where the last leg was L.A. to New Orleans via the Panama Canal. The first two legs were terrific; the final leg was less awesome. A day or so out of LA I caught a cold. As I am immunosuppressed it got worse until I finally went to the medical center. They couldn't have been nicer. While they cautioned me that a visit would start at $150, after examining me they said the treatment was free. My wife and I were tested for Covid (negative) but told that regardless, anything with Covid-like symptoms was treated at no charge. We were isolated in our stateroom for 24 hours until the second Covid test (also negative) and given free room service. Finally, we received a partial FCC (certificates now received) for our trouble. We always wear masks when we are out of our stateroom except when eating or drinking. My wife thought the 2-person tables in the MDR were too close together so we ate in the Windjammer or Park Café for the remainder of the cruise; we could pick a table there that was a comfortable distance apart. So all in all everything worked out very well. We did take a required RCL Covid test prior to the 3rd leg as there was a stop in Cartagena, Colombia, as you say in the video. And thanks for all your videos, etc as they are very helpful and much appreciated!
Will be back on Anthem in a few weeks Jan 2 can't wait. My last cruise Jan 2022 so glad to see alot has returned and getting back to normal. Like you as a D + I would like to see the specific embarking lines for Diamond etc return . Love your blogs and live chats.
I really like the C&A changes. But then, I wasn't diamond until last year, so maybe I'm not a great judge for this one. The double point promotion is no longer available and the last cruises that are covered on that program sail this month. I will miss that!
I did NOT have a good cruise experience on Royal Carribean South Islands cruise on Ovation of Seas. They need to rotate main dining room menus and let cruisers try various menus not almost same me menu for 10 days in a row!!! Buffet was good though. Also need to let 45yr old plus guests a different time slot for onboard activities eg bumper cars. The kids hog the lines every time. Also in Solarium people hog several seats and leave for hours and it’s limited seats. Also do more drink discounts
You should do a story on the August 28th-September 6th 2023 Greek Isles cruise as a sold out cruise was cancelled and chartered by an Atlantis Events specialty cruise. Thousands of people inconvenienced so a special group can take over the ship and go on a completely different cruise.
We just got back from a 3-night cruise on Independence and what struck us is that the quality of service seemed to have downgraded since our last trip in 2019. We felt like the staff were not as attentive and not as eager to please compared to before. Overall, crew members were still friendly and nice but some didn't seem passionate about being there. Hopefully, things will only go up from here for the cruise industry.
For self service before Covid19 I remember the staff served at the ice cream station and roast of the day. sometimes because of norovirus this happened once on the cruise me and my parents went up for a couple of days, I prefer staff serving us on the buffet as it stops people putting their hands all over the food. The muster drill one of the cruises our flight was delayed so we had a mini one in the foyer this was at 1.30am, I like the style of e-muster better. but I will miss people carrying their life jacket around a few hours before the muster take place
I think so, was on Oasis for Thanksgiving, there were 6,427 passengers! My first cruise in 7 years, now I'm Platinum. Also Royal Up was worth it, from interior to right above the bridge in the spacious panoramic view, awesome view! I definitely liked the new E-Muster, but main dining room service wasn't that great.
Did a Wonder of the Seas repositioning cruise October 30th from Spain to Florida for two weeks. It felt totally normal. Some people wore masks but they were in the minority. We tested 48 hours before boarding and we felt somewhat secure. It also helped that it was under capacity too I guess. It never felt busy except at shows.
Wonder went tk Europe? I thought it was always in Florida but I dony really follow the industry. Just suprised me they would put their biggest ship in europe
@@Guyerbassist it was in Europe for the summer
One of the nicest surprises for us on the Symphony last month was after eating a steak and lobster dinner I joked to the waiter, who asked if there was anything else I wanted, that I wanted another lobster! He said fine and brought us 2 more lobster entrees. try that in any land-based restaurant!
They removed that now. If you want another lobster you have to pay for it. 16.99 plus 18%gratuity.
We just got back off the explorer of the sea and almost no one wore mask. I felt pretty safe becuz that cruise was the worst for me. It was loaded with ppl 50-90 years old. We ate mostly in the dining room.
Can to wait to join this family soon!!
Staffing with new crew members has been challenge- it’s getting better as experience and tenure on each ship gets higher
I haven't seen issues with staffing since late summer, but maybe that's just me
@@RoyalCaribbeanBlog it’s not a staffing issue per day , it’s the newer staff just getting used to their new assignments, I agree, it’s not that they are short just a bit newer getting used to there new jobs, but it’s getting better every day
At the Cape Liberty Cruise Port, the staff stated they did not care about the check in times and anyone could show up at any time.
I was on a Celebrity cruise last month. It was pretty close to the 2019 version of normal - except for the fact that it wasn't anywhere near full.
We're new to cruising. You mentioned that they aren't handing out a physical cruise compass anymore. I'm just wondering basically how their app works. Is it possible to add the activities you want to do on the ship to your daily schedule in the app and have it remind you when they're about to start?
I just came back 2 days ago from Explorer. I very much miss social distancing and one family at a time in the elevators! People were packing in the elevators like sardines 🤢
That's how it was pre-covid too
For real. Hate it when folks were trying to squeeze in. Smh
Goes on a cruise, but still wants to social distance....
Stairs are way better if you're able to. I like looking at the decor and it takes the same amount of time as an elevator.
@@alicynwonderland6499 I loved the artwork on the stairwell and corridors. It's the reason I always took the stairs lol.
Our dining reservation says "5:30pm (my time)" I had assumed that meant we are 'my time' dining and can go whenever we like or make a different reservation time each night because that's what we asked for, but when I go to make pre-book a reservation for the MDR it says we are 'not flex guests'. We are first time cruisers for the RC line (thanks to Matt!) so the title of our reservation is confusing me and our travel agent is a dud, not much help she just said yes we're 'my time' but from what I've read from others if Royal indicates you're not a flex diner then it means you are locked into a time. =/ Any thoughts or advice?
My time just means that you are guaranteed a table at that time I think
Oh interesting, thank you!
I didn't see the all access tour available either but it might not be available on my class ship for my upcoming sailing
The removal of the e-muster drill could be happening sooner than expected because of the coast guard.
I just disembarked the Disney Dream on Monday and they are back to the normal muster drill, and starting on our cruise staff were required to wear masks again. We are going on our first RCL cruise in January and hoping they still have their e-muster drill but once one line changes they will most likely all follow 😢
I'll never understand half the decisions DCL makes
We plan to sail in 2024. I can’t wait
How come, for our Navigator cruise next month out of Los Angeles, they’re saying we have to wear masks In the cruise terminal and show up for a “health assessment” promptly at the beginning of our boarding time? Thought there were basically no requirements or masking anywhere (there wasn’t last week in San Diego for the DCL Wonder!)
Can you clarify what you said about trans-Atlantic cruises? Initially you said that if the trans-Atlantic cruise originates in the US then you would need a negative test and later you just said you needed a negative test for a trans-Atlantic cruise (not specially one originating in the US). We are sailing from Civitavecchia in October 2023 to the US. As it stands now, would that require a negative test?
No backstage tour or suite reception on Symphony and Harmony
We will be going on our first cruise leaving Galveston in March next year and we are coming from Australia. Does that mean we will need to do a rapid test two days before , a little unsure after your video
3:50 for the guests. from what I understand, all crew still has to. not a fan of the two-tiered system with “the help” having to get shots and keep their faces covered up Panem style.
Just got off Oasis today. We did Allure exactly 3 years ago. I would say they've relaxed restrictions too much. We saw a lot of hand contact at shows (high fives with the audience). A lot of people don't wash their hands when they enter the buffet. We felt food should not be self serve. Hundreds of hands using the same tongs seems like a recipe for disaster. I tested positive for covid yesterday, Saturday. I wish I had self quarantined instead of going to medical, but you had such a good experience, I thought they might be able to help us with post cruise arrangements. They didn't seem much concerned about me at all. They acted inconvenienced & made us wait a long time before even taking my temperature. They were vague and hard to understand. We had to keep calling guest services (just dial "0" since there's no designation for guest services on the phones themselves. A button for everything else..), anyway had to keep calling to make arrangements for food and get info for departure. They gave me NyQuil, Tylenol & Benedryl. They escorted us off the ship with about forty others at 745. I'm not sure who all had covid, but we're guessing about thirty to forty others. They said there were a lot of COVID+ this cruise. We were led off the ship. We followed an officer of some sort for awhile until we got to the bus area and he just disappeared. We looked at each other and shrugged. " I guess we're done". Ok. They did give my family good masks and we flew home. They told us most airlines are ok with it.
He mentioned once that scavenger hunts were gone from Oasis Of The Seas. Is that back?
What ever happened to the WOW bands? Apparently, RCCL is out of these bracelets. They are super convenient. Matt, can you elaborate about these on your future video.
Royal decided not to bring them back since the restart
Just wondering what happens if you are sick on the cruise? Saw your video from 5 months ago, but does the same thing apply now? Or are people just not even telling the cruise?
Wow, I am booked for a cruise in June going to Mexico and Honduras with my husband who is vaccinated, and I am no. I was thinking I had to get pre-cruise tested. yay I don't.
What about cruising to Roatan, Honduras?
Hi matt, love your videos i am now in love with royal after 2 cruises and your advice is paramount and the few things i didnt listen to you on like pre booking drink dining and internet packages were the only regrets i ever have XD, But i do Gotta question, IS there any WAY that if you took too long to do your cruise survey (because those are very important) is there any way you can make up for that in a email or something?( thank you for all you do matt)
Unfortunately, I don't think there's anyway to do the survey after the option expires.
Not able to pre-register for on board activities on Oasis class ships. I really don't understand the reasoning behind this rule.
You can preregister now. I've already booked my January Oasis entertainment.
@@AnthonyJerome just checked it out.
Not all venues available, but moving in the right direction. Thanks
If for some reason your cellphone doesn't work, do you just do the muster drill by watching the TV, and scanning your card at your muster station or something else? My first cruise is next year, so courious?
You could just go to muster station and they'll run you through a short muster drill just for you. It's no problem
@@RoyalCaribbeanBlog thank you.
I’m going on a West Caribbean cruise next month. This means I don’t need a pre-COVId test correct? Transatlantic cruises means ships that travel to another continent? Just want to clarify.
Correct. Transatlantic means between Europe and North America
Thank you!
We recently disembarked the Grandeur of the Seas a week ago in Miami and immediately, a day later, we were diagnosed with Covid. The amount of people we witnessed sailing this 10 day cruise, coughing, sneezing, and simply ignoring public hygiene (disinfecting hands or covering their mouths while coughing) was staggering. We're sorry to say but there was very little involvement and enforcement by the crew members to correct these situations. People were let into Windjammer without disinfecting their hands, or in their personal (dirty) bathrobes or worse, coughing into the air or hands and then proceeded to serve themselves. We are now on day 8 of self quarantining, not what we wanted to experience after getting engaged during the trip. All we are asking, is for Royal to please consider returning to the policy of having crew members serve passengers at the buffet or where ever food is served, versus the current condition of having the general public serving themselves, and ask crew members to engage with guests who obviously disregard basic public etiquette instead of ignoring them. This might help in reducing or stopping the kind of infection we're currently personally dealing with.
Been on 4 cruise this year my wife got covid every single one i got it on the last one last month
We just got back from a 12 day cruise on enchantment of the seas and immediately tested positive for Covid-19. I noticed a lot of people not sanitizing when entering the dining room, not many people using masks and the elevators were packed. I’ve learned a valuable lesson, this virus is bad we can’t get laxed. I noticed and heard so many people coughing and sneezing. I have 2 more cruises booked but after them I’m going to give it a little more time until I go back unfortunately. I was double boosted and I have never had Covid-19 before, this is the sickest I’ve ever been.
Pre Covid when I caught a bad cough/cold from an airline Stewart and it came full on 2nd day of my 16 day cruise, I sequestered myself in my cabin, ordered my food in and told them to leave by the door…I am one who as my boss who would come to work sick would say “I want to share the love” THAT would NEVER DO! I was so grateful that I had a balcony room so I could still enjoy the Sun and get my vitamin D.
I too just returned from a 12 day cruise from Baltimore on the Enchantment of the Sea and got home and tested positive for Covid. When we got on the ship people were coughing and sneezing everywhere. I know for sure I did not have Covid when I boarded but I wonder about some of the other passengers on board.
@@lisaford3769 We we’re on the same cruise, we probably ran into each other.
Does any one this chat, follow regular people? (Not youtubers) RUclips doesnt share their vids i learn more from them about simple things
As long as people aren’t b*#ting bout testing and coming up positive, then we’d be back to normal.
Do you have any videos about shore actives
ruclips.net/video/VazpSKeqxcw/видео.html
Does anybody know What ship is that at 1:39 mark with the Pool Tables?
Playmakers on either Freedom or Independence
What drink is that at 12:25?
My question is suppose you’re on the world cruise that Royal Caribbean is doing and you come down with Covid are you going to keep you in quarantine for nine months?
You quarantine for 8 or 10 days then you are free to enjoy the rest of your cruise.
Does Royal match my status on other cruise lines like msc
No
Only downside is the buffet style dining, much rather have a team member dishing out food instead of thousands of people touching the same spoon & breathing over the food. Just overall more sanitary experience
Does the app work with no data or wifi?
Yes, but you can use the app on the ship without internet package and still use the wifi for the app features.
The electronic Compass publication is a disservice to guests with Visual impairments.
As long as ANY kind of woohan flu policy exists, I will never cruise again.
No, no, no they are not back. I was on the Anthem last month and several events that were amazing when I was on the Anthem in 2018 were either very limited or outright cancelled due to Covid fears... Blah. I was excited for my first cruise in years and it left me FLAT.
Was on Explorer last month. We saw nothing that reminded us of the pandemic
I’m so excited for my cruise from Australia hopefully masks don’t come back it’s so much harder to meet people when they have a mask on
Are the Nutella crepes back 😭
slow the F down. I can't believe I feel the need to put subtitles
U talk too fast for 80 y o ears!!
Turn on the subtitles - that's how I keep up!
first of all...no vaccine necessary....
The worst thing about back to normal is the full/close to full sailing capacity/occupancy.
That's the only bummer...I wish there was a way to book a cruise that is intentionally not to full capacity.
@@MPPG663 We can only wish then. Really hate crowds, what a bummer. Probably should avoid cruising till the post-pandemic revenge cruising dies down?
Rotf......
hello