12 Things You Don't Need To Take On A Cruise

 

12 Things You Don't Need To Take On A Cruise

Written By Gayle Keck – Contributor For Cruise Critic

 

If You're The Sort Of Traveler (Like We Are) Who Sometimes Resorts To Sitting On Their Suitcase To Get It Closed, You'll Be Happy To Know That You Can Lighten Your Load When Packing For A Cruise. Ships Furnish A Number Of Items That You Can Cross Off Your Packing List.

 

1. Soap And Other Toiletries

Most Ships Are Equipped With Soap, Shampoo, Conditioner, Lotion And Shower Caps. As You Move Up To Higher Cabin Classes Or Luxury Lines, The Amenities Increase. You May Find Cotton Swabs, Cotton Balls, Bath Salts, Sunblock, Loofa Scrubs, Colognes Or Choices Among Prestige Brands. Of Course, If You Have Preferred Toiletries Brands, Bring Them Along. Your Cabin Attendant Will Replenish Toiletries Regularly -- And If You Have Any Extra Needs, Don't Hesitate To Ask.

 

2. Hair Dryer

Ships All Come Equipped With Hair Dryers. They May Be Wall-Mounted In The Bathroom, Or In A Closet Or Vanity Drawer. We've Even Been On One Ship That Had Both A Wimpy Wall-Mounted Dryer And A More Powerful One Stashed In A Drawer.

 

3. Clothesline

Most Ships Have A Retractable Clothesline Located In The Bathroom. While It May Be Tempting To Toss Your Swim Suit Over A Balcony Chair To Dry -- Don't. It's A Good Way To Lose A Suit To A Gust Of Wind, And It's Also Against Most Cruise Lines' Rules.

 

4. Beach Towels

For Poolside And Beachy Ports, Ships Furnish The Towels. You'll Find Them Stashed By The Pool, Or Handed Out As You Head Off The Ship.

 

5. Dirty Laundry Bag

You'll Find A Laundry Bag In Your Closet. It's Used For The Ship's Laundry Service, But Nobody Says You Can't Use It For Dirty Laundry That You're Packing To Take Home. Just Don't Take The Bag Home If It's Cloth And Not Plastic -- You'll Be Charged.

 

6. Books

Don't Bother To Lug Lots Of Books Along, Since Ships Have Onboard Libraries. Some Even Have "Take A Book, Leave A Book" Shelves Where You Can Exchange A Book You've Read For Another One You Can Keep.

7. Snacks

If There's One Thing Ships Are Loaded With, It's Food! You Will Most Likely Be Able To Find Something To Eat At Any Time Of The Day Or Night, Including Room Service. And If You're Concerned About Random Munchies Attacks, You Can Always Collect A Stash Of Cookies From The Buffet.

 

8. Booze

Most Ships Don't Allow You To Bring Wine Or Liquor Onboard, Although There Are A Few Exceptions. In General, They'll Scan Any Hand Luggage Every Time You Board And Hold Alcoholic Beverages For You Until You Disembark. Most Lines Allow You To Bring Wine, But Charge A Corkage Fee (Unless You Consume It In The Privacy Of Your Cabin).

 

9. Computer

Most Ships Have Computer Terminals Available For Passenger Use, Although You'll Usually Pay To Access The Internet. They're Perfect For A Quick Email Check Or Printing Out Your Boarding Pass. However, If You Want To Download Photos Or Check Sensitive Work Email, Bring Your Own Laptop.

 

10. Local Maps

On Port Days, Maps Of The Area Are Usually Available From Guest Services Or Shore Excursions Personnel -- Although Sometimes You'll Find Representatives From Local Tourism Bureaus Handing Them Out, Either On The Ship Or At The Port. If You Attend Port Lectures With Slideshows, You Can Snap Photos Of Maps And Other Info With Your Phone, Too.

 

11. A Pillow

Unless You're Like The "Princess And The Pea," Most Ships Will Have Pillow Alternatives To Accommodate You. Luxury Lines And Higher Cabin Classes May Even Offer A Pillow Menu, With All Sorts To Choose From Hypo-Allergenic To Extra-Firm. Talk To Your Cabin Steward If You'd Like A Different Pillow.

 

12. Exercise Equipment

Leave Your Yoga Mat And Resistance Bands At Home. Cruise Ships Have Fully Equipped Gyms Stocked With Everything From Weights To Bosu Balls And Elliptical Machines. Personal Trainers Are On Hand To Lead Group Exercise Classes, Like Spinning Or Pilates, Or Offer One-On-One Training Sessions. 

Back To Back Cruises - What To Expect

 

Back-To-Back Cruises: What To Expect

Written By The Staff At Cruise Critic

 

We All Know Cruises Are Fun, And Most Of Us Would Give Anything To Prolong The Experience At The End Of Each Voyage We've Sailed. That's Where Back-To-Back Cruises Come In. Passengers Who Book Them Can Maximize Their Cruise Time While Usually Only Having To Go Through The Embarkation And Disembarkation Process Once. Below, We Answer Several Common Questions Cruisers Have About These Types Of Sailings.

 

What Are Back-To-Back Cruises?

Back-To-Back Cruises Are Two Or More Cruises Booked Consecutively, Whether On The Same Ship Or On Different Ships. You'll Want To Let Someone At The Front Desk Know You're A Back-To-Back Cruiser During The First Part Of Your Trip So Arrangements Can Be Made For You During The Changeover Day Between The Sailings.

 

Will I Be Able To Stay In The Same Cabin For Both Sailings?

It Depends On How The Sailing Is Booked. If You Choose The Same Cabin For Both Sailings, Then, Yes, You'll Be Able To Stay. If, However, You Decide You'd Like To Be On One Side Of The Ship For One Sailing And On The Other Side For The Second Sailing, That's Also Possible. We Recommend Finding A Travel Agent To Help You Make The Arrangements You Prefer. Keep In Mind That You're More Likely To Be Able To Book The Same Cabin For Both Parts Of Your Trip If You Book Early.

 

If You Stay In The Same Stateroom For Both Legs Of Your Vacation, You Will Be Able To Leave Your Belongings In Your Cabin During The Changeover Between Sailings. If You'll Be In A Different Cabin For Each Cruise, You'll Be Required To Relocate Your Luggage. Sometimes Your Room Steward Can Offer Assistance.

 

Do I Have To Attend The Muster Drill On The 2^nd  Sailing If I've Already Gone To It On The First One?

Yes. Plan To Go To The Drill On Both Voyages, Or You Risk Being Thrown Off The Ship. It's Mandatory For All Passengers On Every Cruise, And Since Back-To-Backs Are Considered Separate Sailings, You're Required To Attend At The Beginning Of Each New Segment.

 

Can I Stay Onboard At The End Of The First Sailing, Or Do I Have To Disembark?

This Process Varies By Cruise Line And According To The Laws That Are In Place In The Port Of Disembarkation, But Generally You'll Need To Clear Immigration. Some Lines Will Have All Back-To-Back Passengers Meet In A Designated Area, Such As The Front Desk Or A Lounge, And Clear Them All From Onboard The Ship. Others Will Have Passengers Meet And Escort Them Off The Ship To Clear Immigration And Escort Them Immediately Back Onboard.

 

Either Way, Back-To-Back Cruisers Are Aboard Before Passengers Just Coming Onto The Ship For The First Time, And They'll Have The Vessel To Themselves For A Couple Of Hours. (Note That Onboard Services, Such As Food And Entertainment, Are Likely To Be Limited During The Changeover.)

 

Do I Have To Go Through The Check-In Process All Over Again At The Start Of The Second Sailing?

It's Unlikely You'll Have To Go Through The Whole Thing A Second Time. As Mentioned Above, Clearing Immigration Is Generally Quick And Painless, And You Won't Have To Go Back To The Terminal Desks To Check In, Get Your Keycard And Fill Out Health Forms.

 

However, Since Back-To-Back Sailings Are Considered Two Separate Cruises -- Even If You're Sailing On The Same Ship -- You'll Have To Settle Your Onboard Account From The First Sailing And Open A New Onboard Account For The Second. That Means You'll Also Have To Obtain A New Keycard; Some Cruise Lines Send Them To Your Cabin On The Last Night Of The First Sailing, While Others Will Require You To Visit The Front Desk. Often, When You Leave The Ship For The First Time After Obtaining Your New Keycard, You'll Be Required To Have A New Security Photo Taken At The Kiosk Near The Gangway.

 

Once I'm Cleared, Am I Allowed To Leave The Ship And Re-Board Whenever I Want?

Yes, But Keep In Mind That You Might Need Your Old Keycard When Leaving The Ship And Your New One When You Return, So Be Sure To Take Both With You. Once Your New One Is Activated, You Won't Need To Carry Your Old One Anymore.

 

Are Discounts Offered If I Book Consecutive Cruises?

We've Never Heard Of Discounts Offered Specifically As Incentives For People To Book Two Round-Trip Sailings In A Row. Your Best Bet In Those Cases Is To Look For Deals That Apply Individually To Each Of The Two Sailings You Want To Take. General Cruise Bargains Range From Straight-Up Price Reductions And Free Onboard Credit To Discounts On Third And Fourth Passengers And Free Add-Ons Like Bottles Of Wine Or Dinner In A For-Fee Restaurant.

 

There Are However, Sometimes Lower Price Options On Point-To-Point Cruises When The Cruise Line Offers A Choice Between Booking The Same Trip As Two (Or More) Cruises Back-To-Back Or A Composite Booked As One Cruise. But Here’s The Deal: In Some Cases The Composite Is Lower, While In Others, The Back-To-Back Bookings May Be Lower. A Travel Agent Can Help You Sort Through The Options. Lines That Offer These Types Of Options Include Viking Ocean, Crystal, Holland America And Seabourn, Among Others.

 

I'm A Member Of My Cruise Line's Loyalty Program. How Will Back-To-Back Cruising Affect Me?

Obviously, The More Cruises You Take And The More Days You Sail, The More Points You Accrue, And The More Quickly You'll Move Up The Tiers Of Your Line's Passenger Loyalty Program. You Won't Receive Any More -- Or Any Fewer -- Points For Taking Back-To-Back Voyages Than If You Were To Take Two Cruises Six Months Apart.

 

However, Back-To-Back Sailings Are Still Considered Two Separate Cruises, So If You Reach A New Level In Your Line's Program During The First Sailing, You'll Receive The Perks Afforded To That Tier Upon The Start Of The Second Cruise.

 

What Happens To The Alcohol I Purchase On Back-To-Back Cruises?

Generally, Any Alcohol You Purchase Ashore Or Onboard In One Of The Ship's Duty-Free Shops Will Remain Checked For The Duration Of Both Sailings. However, Some Cruise Lines Will Allow Passengers To Take Alcohol Back To Their Cabins If It's Purchased On The Last Night Of A Sailing. If You're On A Back-To-Back And Buy Booze On The Last Night Of The First Cruise, There's A Chance You'll Be Able To Keep It In Your Cabin To Have For The Second Voyage.

 

What Are The Major Differences Between Booking Consecutive Cruises On The Same Ship Versus Sailing Back To Back On Two Different Ships?

If You've Booked Back-To-Back Cruises On Two Different Ships, Much Of The Above Information Does Not Apply. You Obviously Won't Be In The Same Cabin For Both Sailings, And At The End Of The First Sailing, You'll Have To Disembark, Clear Immigration And Customs, And Go Through The Embarkation Process Again At The Port And Terminal Where Your Second Ship Is Docked.

 

You're Also Likely To Encounter More Logistical Challenges With Back-To-Backs On Two Different Ships. You'll Have To Take All Your Luggage With You And Arrange For Transportation Between Ports Or Terminals, Depending On Where Your Second Ship Is Located.

 

What Should I Pack For Back-To-Back Cruises?

Packing For A Long Cruise Can Be A Challenge. What You Should Pack Depends On Two Main Factors: The Itineraries And Whether Or Not You're Willing To Do Laundry Onboard.

 

If You're Headed To Similar Climates For Both Sailings, Our Advice Is To Pack Enough For The Longer Of The Two Voyages And Do Laundry If A Self-Service Option Is Available. You Can Also Pay To Have Your Laundry Sent Out If Your Ship Offers A Laundry Service. Even If You Decide Not To Wash Your Clothes Onboard, You Can Still Wear Them Again; Keep In Mind That Your Fellow Cruisers On The Second Leg Of Your Journey Won't Know What You Wore During The First Leg.

 

If You're Sailing To Two Regions That Greatly Differ In Terms Of Temperature And Weather, You'll Have To Get Creative. Pack Enough Clothing For Half Of Your Sailing To The First Climate And Half Of Your Sailing To The Second; Then Do Laundry Halfway Through Each Cruise. Pack Items That Can Be Layered, So You Can Re-Wear Base Layers In Both Destinations.

Updated Mask Protocols

Updated mask protocols for departures through January 5, 2022 Dear Valued Guests,    With the recent uptick of COVID-19 in the world and added Omicron variant concerns, we feel it prudent to temporarily tighten our onboard health protocols to require masks indoors at all times, unless actively eating or drinking. This new update also applies to vaccinated areas and venues. We're sorry for any disappointment that this may cause, but hope you understand that health and safety has and will always come first here at Royal Caribbean®. Despite the new requirement, we know that you will still have a great time onboard.   As always, health and safety protocols are subject to change. We look forward to seeing you onboard!

Brand New Ship!!! Carnival Mardi Gras!!

Get Ready For Six Distinct Onboard Zones Featuring Brand New Experience For Spectacularly Getting Down To Food, Drink & Fun!!

GRAND CENTRAL

On a Carnival cruise your vacation starts in the atrium, and on Mardi Gras™ that's in the Grand Central zone. By the way... on this ship the atrium's different. Don't be surprised if you step inside and the first place you want to look is upwards. Up there are high ceilings that hint at even more fun living on the three decks above! But look around down here too... you'll find floor-to-ceiling windows that really bring in the ocean views. Of course you'll be back here throughout your cruise, taking a break with a nice cup of coffee or a menu of great food choices at JavaBlue™ Café, enjoying performances up on stage, or killing time fabulously at the Grand View Bar. Just wait until the sun goes down and the space slips into evening dress, transforming into an amazing show venue after dark! In Grand Central you're never far from great dining spots like Bonsai Sushi™ and Bonsai Teppanyaki™, plus feel-good entertainment like Piano Bar 88™ and The Punchliner Comedy Club™.

FRENCH QUARTER

If "big" and "easy" sound about right for your vacation, you might just make the French Quarter on Mardi Gras™ your home zone. What inspired this area is no less than New Orleans itself… and if all this talk of NOLA has you half as hungry as we are, you’ll be pleased to hear that our French Quarter is lined with bars and eateries worthy of their namesake. For one thing there’s the spectacularly, authentically delicious Emeril’s Bistro 1396™, developed in partnership with yes-that-Emeril. Just steps away is entertainment clearly influenced by the world-renowned Crescent City nightlife — yep, The Brass Magnolia bar features not only great drinks but also hot jazz, live. What’s more, you’re just steps away from sipping mystically at the Fortune Teller bar, and definitely save time to browse some funky little shops.

SUMMER LANDING

Go ahead and call Summer Landing 'the greatest chill spot at sea'... and we'll be right there with you, any time of year! What's three letters long and goes great with chilling outdoors? BBQ, so we're building a Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse | Brewhouse™ into this zone so it always tastes like summer here with freshly-smoked faves designed by Guy Fieri and original Parched Pig® beers brewed just feet away. If you're wondering where the pool and whirlpool are, we're so alike, you and us... and that's why we're sure you're gonna love The Watering Hole, a poolside bar we're building for aficionados of backyard-style relaxation. And for military folks — or folks who just want to raise a glass to them — please report to Heroes Tribute™ Lounge for great service. We know you guys like soft serve too, so we're throwing in a Swirls™ location — one of two! And why wouldn't we? At Summer Landing, fun this cool is literally always in season.

LA PIAZZA

La dolce vita is within reach at La Piazza... and we'd know, with all the Italian seafaring spirit that's literally driving the ship. This zone stands for atmosphere and flavor, and it starts with Cucina del Capitano®, which brings your party together for an evening of Italian favorites served family-style, while Pizzeria del Capitano makes delizioso happen for you 24 hours a day atop a base of imported Italian flour and fresh mozzarella. Mardi Gras™ debuts Piazza Panini where the handhelds are hot and pressed, plus Bar della Rosa, where you'll sip authentic espresso drinks by day and classic Italian cocktails when the sun goes down. All this flavor and flair we’ve got in here may practically transport you straight to Italy… but don’t forget that so much of it can be enjoyed outdoors, where the sea breeze is just bellissimo.

LIDO

If you’ve cruised with us before, you know Lido... but aboard Mardi Gras™ this poolside zone features even more delicious and fun experiences among the familiar flavors. Evolving the classic poolside rum-bar was a tall order, but RedFrog Tiki Bar will be serving up the good stuff across two decks’ worth of South Pacific atmosphere. Also first-time-fresh is Street Eats, bringing together highlights from the world’s fast-good cuisine like kebab, bao buns and seriously upgraded fries. Shaq’s latest Big Chicken™ restaurant is here, and fan-fave spots like Guy’s Burger Joint™, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack™, and BlueIguana Cantina™ taco spot aren’t done with your taste buds yet. And for folks hoping we haven’t forgotten: yes, Lido is absolutely home to one of two Swirls™ locations, the free 24-hour soft-serve spot!

THE ULTIMATE PLAYGROUND

Don't let the name fool you — this zone is ages everybody and up. Kids, you're going to love this. And adults, the playground has grown up with you. So yay for play! Of course The Ultimate Playground starts with BOLT™, the first rollercoaster at sea, an all-electric thrill ride that puts the power of speed in your hands. But that's only the beginning — this playground has the largest Carnival WaterWorks™ ever with three huge spiraling slides, plus SportSquare™ is here featuring an entire mini-golf course, full-court basketball and a ropes course. And, of course, more. Ultimate enough for you?

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Celebrity Cruises - Always Included Promotion

Celebrity Cruises - Always Included Promotion - Beverage Package - WiFi Package - Tips

Getting Back To Cruising!! Updated Protocols For Traveling!!

We Are Excited To Announce The Latest Information Available Regarding Cruises. Get Ready To Cruise!! Please Read Through The Information Carefully. Each Cruise Line Has Different Protocols. 

 Carnival Cruises 

1) Vaccination & Testing Requirements

Vaccinated Cruises Are Available For Guests Who Have Received Their Final Dose Of An Approved Covid-19 Vaccine At Least 14 Days Prior To The Beginning Of The Cruise And Have Proof Of Vaccination. Guests Will Be Asked To Confirm Their Status As Fully Vaccinated For Covid-19 During Check-In And Provide Proof Of Vaccination In Advance Of Boarding.* It’s Important For Guests To Come Prepared, As Those Who Arrive At The Embarkation Terminal Without The Proper Proof Of Vaccination Will Not Be Able To Cruise, And No Refund Will Be Issued.

Guests Must Present Proof Of Vaccination, As Well As All Required Travel Documents, At Embarkation. Acceptable Proof Of Vaccination Must Be In The Form Of The Original Vaccination Record Document Issued By The Country’s Health Authority Or Healthcare Provider That Administered The Vaccination (E.G., U.S. CDC's Vaccination Record Card). The Name On The Vaccination Record Must Match The Guest’s Travel Documents And Show That The Guest Is Fully Vaccinated. This Means That The Guest Has Completed The Full Cycle Of Required Doses For The Vaccine Administered (E.G., Received The Second Dose In A Two-Dose Series) And That The Guest Has Received The Final Dose At Least 14 Days Before Arriving Their Cruise Departure.

Vaccinated Guests Do Not Have To Be Tested For Covid-19. However, Based On Medical Screening That Will Take Place On Embarkation Day, Testing May Be Deemed Necessary As A Precautionary Measure, Which Will Be Provided At No Charge. In The Event A Test Result Is Positive, The Guest And Their Traveling Party Will Unfortunately Not Be Allowed To Sail And Will Receive A Future Cruise Credit. In Such Cases, Guests May Have To Quarantine Locally And Carnival Will Assist In Helping To Make Those Arrangements.
 
2) At This Time Carnival Cruises Is Not Allowing Unvaccinated Guests To Travel

3) Masks Are Not Required In Common Areas Once On Board The Ship. Mask Are Required 

In The Cruise Terminal 

4) Shore Excursions Must Be Booked Through The Ship. The Guests Can Not Disembark On Their Own

5) The Countries You Are Visiting Have Different Protocols. Your Destination Will Be Researched To Determine The Restrictions Prior To Sailing

6) Guest Must Visit The Website Prior To Sailing To Complete The Online Check In & Complete The Health Questionnaire
 

Celebrity Cruises

1) Vaccination Guidelines 
We Strongly Recommend All Guests 16 And Older Be Fully Vaccinated. To Be Considered Fully Vaccinated, The Final Dose Of The Vaccine Must Be Completed At Least 14 Days Before Sailing.

At Check-In, Guests Will Be Asked To Provide Documentation Of Their Vaccination, Such As The U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention’s (CDC) Covid-19 Vaccination Record Card. Those Who Are 16 And Older And Do Not Have Or Are Unable To Provide Documentation Will Be Considered Unvaccinated.
Our Unvaccinated Guests Must Undergo Additional Covid-19 Testing At Their Own Expense, And Follow The Health Protocols Described Below, Which Are Based On Guidance From The CDC.

For Unvaccinated Guests 16 And Older, The Total Charge From The Third-Party Testing Vendor For These Tests Is $178.00 USD Per Guest For Celebrity Cruises. This Amount Will Be Applied To The Guest’s Onboard Expense Account. Celebrity Cruises Will Pay The Testing Vendor(S) On The Guest’s Behalf And Will Not Retain Any Part Of The Testing Costs. For Guests Age 2 To 15, We Will Cover The Cost Of Any Required Testing.

Pre-Cruise- Unvaccinated Guests 16 Years Of Age And Older Will Need To Undergo An RT-PCR Test Administered By An Accredited Laboratory Of The Guest’s Choice, And Taken No More Than Three Days Before Sailing. We Will Require Documentation Of A Negative Result For This Test Prior To Embarkation. All Costs For This Test Are The Unvaccinated Guest’s Responsibility.

Prior To Disembarking - While Onboard, Unvaccinated Guests 2 Years Of Age And Older Will Be Required To Undergo Antigen Testing Before Disembarking At The End Of The Voyage. This Test Will Be Conducted The Day Before The Cruise Ends By One Of Our Testing Vendors. Guests Will Be Notified Onboard About How To Register For This Test.

2) Masks Are Required In Common Areas 

3) In Casino, Theater & Dining Room Will Have Areas Specifically For Unvaccinated Guests 

4) Shore Excursions Can Be Booked Through The Ship OR The Guests Can Disembark On 

Their Own 

5) The Countries You Are Visiting Have Different Protocols. Your Destination Will Be Researched To Determine The Restrictions Prior To Sailing

6) Guest Must Download The App On Their Smart Phone To Complete The Online Check In, The Health Questionnaire & The Life Boat Drill 
 

MSC Cruises

MSC Cruises Highly Recommends Guests Are Fully Vaccinated In Order To Enjoy A Superior Experience While Sailing With Us.  Guests Who Are Not Fully Vaccinated Will Be Required To Purchase Our Travel Insurance & Covid-19 Protection Services And Will Be Subject To More Stringent Protocols Which Will Be In Place By The Time You Cruise.  At The Moment, These Include But Are Not Limited To The Wearing Of Masks, The Required Purchase Of MSC Sponsored Shore Excursions In Order To Go Ashore And Required Testing Upon Embarkation And While On Board. 
 
1) You Will Be Required To Take A Rapid Antigen Test At The Pier Prior To Embarkation (Covered By MSC Cruises) And Test Negative

2) Masks Are Required In Common Areas For Unvaccinated Guests

3) In Casino, Theater & Dining Room Will Have Areas Specifically For Unvaccinated Guests 

4) If You Are Unvaccinated Shore Excursions Must Be Booked Through The Ship. The Guest 

Can Not Disembark On Their Own 

5) If You Are Vaccinated Shore Excursions Can Be Booked Through The Ship OR You Can Disembark On Your Own

6) The Countries You Are Visiting Have Different Protocols. Your Destination Will Be Researched To Determine The Restrictions Prior To Sailing

7) Guest Must Download The App On Their Smart Phone To Complete The Online Check In, Complete The Health Questionnaire & Complete The Life Boat Drill 
 

Norwegian Cruise Line 

1) Mandatory Vaccinations Against Covid-19 On Initial Voyages
All Guests And Crew Must Be Fully Vaccinated, At Least 2 Weeks Prior To Departure, In Order To Board. Guest Vaccination Requirements Are Currently For All Sailings Embarking Through October 31, 2021– We Will Follow The Science To Make Determinations On Requirements For All Other Future Sailings.

Universal Testing & Pre-Embarkation Protocols - All Guest Will Be Required To Take A COVID-19 Antigen Test, Administered And Paid For By The Cruise Line, Prior To Boarding & Receive A Negative Result. Guest Are Also Responsible For Complying With All Local Health & Safety Requirements Which May Include Additional Testing. 

2) At This Time Norwegian Is Not Allowing Unvaccinated Guests To Travel.

3) Masks Are Not Required In Common Areas Once On Board The Ship. Mask Are Required 

In The Cruise Terminal.   

4) Shore Excursions Can Booked Through The Ship Or The Guests Can Disembark On Their Own 

5) The Countries You Are Visiting Have Different Protocols. Your Destination Will Be Researched To Determine The Restrictions Prior To Sailing. 

6) Guest Must Download The App Prior To Sailing To Complete The Online Check In & Complete The Health Questionnaire
 

Royal Caribbean

1) Vaccination Guidelines 
We Strongly Recommend All Guests 16 And Older Be Fully Vaccinated. To Be Considered Fully Vaccinated, The Final Dose Of The Vaccine Must Be Completed At Least 14 Days Before Sailing.

At Check-In, Guests Will Be Asked To Provide Documentation Of Their Vaccination, Such As The U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention’s (CDC) Covid-19 Vaccination Record Card. Those Who Are 16 And Older And Do Not Have Or Are Unable To Provide Documentation Will Be Considered Unvaccinated.
Our Unvaccinated Guests Must Undergo Additional Covid-19 Testing At Their Own Expense, And Follow The Health Protocols Described Below, Which Are Based On Guidance From The CDC.

For Unvaccinated Guests 16 And Older, The Total Charge From The Third-Party Testing Vendor For These Tests Is $136.00 USD Per Guest For Royal Caribbean. This Amount Will Be Applied To The Guest’s Onboard Expense Account. Royal Caribbean Will Pay The Testing Vendor(S) On The Guest’s Behalf And Will Not Retain Any Part Of The Testing Costs. For Guests Age 2 To 15, We Will Cover The Cost Of Any Required Testing.

Pre-Cruise - Unvaccinated Guests 16 Years Of Age And Older Will Need To Undergo An RT-PCR Test Administered By An Accredited Laboratory Of The Guest’s Choice, And Taken No More Than Three Days Before Sailing. We Will Require Documentation Of A Negative Result For This Test Prior To Embarkation. All Costs For This Test Are The Unvaccinated Guest’s Responsibility.

Prior To Disembarking - While Onboard, Unvaccinated Guests 2 Years Of Age And Older Will Be Required To Undergo Antigen Testing Before Disembarking At The End Of The Voyage. This Test Will Be Conducted The Day Before The Cruise Ends By One Of Our Testing Vendors. Guests Will Be Notified Onboard About How To Register For This Test.

2) Masks Are Required In Common Areas 

3) In Casino, Theater & Dining Room Will Have Areas Specifically For Unvaccinated Guests 

4) Shore Excursions Must Be Booked Through The Ship. The Guest Can Not Disembark On Their Own 

5) The Countries You Are Visiting Have Different Protocols. Ycour Destination Will Be Researched To Determine The Restrictions Prior To Sailing

6) Guest Must Download The App On Their Smart Phone To Complete The Online Check In, The Health Questionnaire & The Life Boat Drill