Candid Chat with Royal Caribbean Chairman Richard Fain

We just attended an industry briefing with Dondra Ritzenthaler, Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support & Services Celebrity Cruises and her special guest Richard Fain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Caribbean Group.

Before we get to today's chat, we'd like to personally thank Royal Caribbean Group and Richard Fain in particular,  for his leadership and constantly keeping their travel partners updated throughout the entire pandemic crisis.  His videos, communications, and guest appearances on weekly briefings from Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises has been crucial to our ability to keep our guests updated on latest developments.

Dondra began the chat by thanking Richard for joining us and for his continued communications throughout the pandemic.  She then asked him if he would have done anything differently.   Richard said it's important to "look forward and not back".   

He said that he knew that communication would be key.   He knew that people wanted to know what they were thinking and transparency was key.   He feels he got great value from the communication because it forced him to think about where they were going.

He cited the creation of the Healthy Sail Panel with experts in many fields was a critical step in the return to service.

Celebrity Edge Returns to Service

An Emotional Return to Service on Celebrity Edge

Next Dondra asked him about his experience on the first sailing of Celebrity Edge as it returned to service.   Richard said "it was a very emotional moment".  He was onboard one day before passengers, essentially alone with the crew.   As crew greeted him, they were in tears.  

Day 2 of his time onboard, they greeted the first guest which again was very emotional.   The passengers on this first sailing included Celebrity's most loyal guests, trade and press, and Royal Caribbean employees. 

The consensus of the guests was that it was an emotional moment, but also it felt so normal. 

Continual Improvement - Not a "New Normal"

Many protocols are behind the scenes, such as the improved ventilation systems and enhanced medical facilities.   Guests don't even notice the difference.  With the enhanced protocols we could live life normally.

He acknowledged that there have been isolated cases, but it has been better than you'll find across the United States today.   The reason for that is that they control the environment.   Guests are fully vaccinated, social distancing is possible while still allowing for a great vacation experience.  It's one of the safest vacations you can take today.

2021 - 2022 Sailings Open for Booking

This is a unique time in the history of the cruise industry.   The industry has always put health and safety first, but with the new protocols, they have taken it to new heights.  The industry will be better for the improvements made to date and those that will follow.

Ships are sailing with fewer passengers allowing for an even more personal experience as the happy crew are eager to provide the best vacation experience possible.   Why not check out some of the current offers below and let us plan your next cruise vacation?

Current Celebrity Cruises Offers

Current Royal Caribbean Offers

Connect With Us On

       

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers

I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Starting July 7, 2021 our new time will be 4 PM Eastern

How Bahamas Emergency Order Impacts Cruises

Bahamas Emergency Order

Bahamas prime minister Hubert Minnis issued the emergency order on August 19. The restriction is valid through Nov. 1.

 

Yesterday the Bahamas announced that it is requiring eligible cruise passengers be fully vaccinated. As a result of this, cruise lines are updating their health and safety protocols

We strongly encourage you to book with a Travel Professional.   Updates like this are frequent, and we can keep you informed of any changes impacting your vacation.

Royal Caribbean International

Statement  

We’d like to share our health & safety protocols for our sailings departing from U.S. or Bahamas homeports in September 2021. This includes the recent advisement from the Bahamian Government that cruise ships will only be permitted to enter a Bahamian port, including private destinations, if all passengers ages 12 and older are fully vaccinated. 

What You Need To Know

Currently, the enclosed information pertains to sailings departing U.S. or Bahamas homeport in September 2021. Health and safety protocols are subject to change and, as these occur, we’re committed to updating you.

 Pre-Cruise Requirements

• Vaccination
• All guests 12 years and older must bring proof of vaccination, such as the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) COVID-19 vaccination record card, with the final dose of the vaccine completed at least 14 days before sailing.

• Testing
• All Guests: Required Pre-Cruise Testing: All guests age 2 and older — regardless of their vaccination status or the length of their cruise — will need to take a COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) with an accredited test provider, such as a drugstore chain or diagnostic lab, no more than 3 days before arriving at the terminal and show their negative test result upon arriving. The results can be printed out, or can be presented on your phone, such as the email result from your test provider. Costs associated with this test are the guest’s responsibility.
• Kids Age 2-11: Additional Testing: In addition to the pre-cruise test, kids will take one or two more tests, depending on the length of the cruise. Royal Caribbean’s test provider will administer these, at no cost to our guests.
• At the Terminal: For all cruises, kids will take a complimentary PCR test when checking in at the terminal. Registration details will be sent via email in advance.
• Prior to Disembarking: For cruises that are 5 nights or longer, kids will take a complimentary antigen test onboard before the cruise ends. Vaccinated guests who require a COVID-19 test for re-entry into their country may receive one onboard as well. Guests will be notified onboard about how to register for this test.
• Guests under 2 years of age will not be tested.   

Going Ashore

• We've worked with local tour operators to ensure they follow our Healthy Sail Panel health guidance for all Shore Excursions. These tours are available at a variety of price points and may be purchased in advance on Cruise Planner.

Tour Requirements

• No Tours Required for Vaccinated Guests: Fully vaccinated parties may book a shore excursion or visit the port freely.
• Tours for Families: Families traveling with unvaccinated kids must purchase a local tour through Royal Caribbean if they wish to go ashore. This applies to all ports of call except Perfect Day at CocoCay, and Port Canaveral, FL.
• Tours Recommended in Port Canaveral, FL: For ships that stop at Port Canaveral, we strongly recommend that families traveling with unvaccinated kids purchase a local tour through Royal Caribbean if they wish to go ashore.
• No Tours Required at Perfect Day: Tours or planned activities are not required of any guest who wishes to go ashore at Perfect Day at CocoCay, our private destination.

Mask Guidance

• Below is our current mask guidance for all guests, except those under the age of 2 years, who do not need to wear a mask at any time.
• Masks are NOT required to be worn:
• In open-air areas of the ship, unless you are in a crowded setting
• In the pool or any activity where they may become wet
• At venues designated for vaccinated guests only, such as select bars, lounges, restaurants and shows
• In your stateroom when you are with your traveling party
• While visiting our private destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, unless they are in a crowded setting
• Masks ARE required to be worn:
• While indoors in public areas of the ship, unless seated and actively eating or drinking
• While visiting public ports of call, where local regulations may require them

Dining

• All dining areas will feature spaced, sanitized seating. Nearly all restaurants and cafes will be available to all guests, though a select few specialty restaurants may be reserved for vaccinated guests only.

 

Other Venues

• If you have sailed with us before, you will notice there are fewer guests onboard, letting you ease back into vacation mode. The ship’s venues are set up to easily allow for physical distancing and there will be signage to guide you.
• Theaters and activity venues will offer spaced seating and more showtimes. Some events will be reserved for vaccinated guests only. You  should make show reservations once onboard using the Royal Caribbean app.

 

What To Bring

Travel Documentation Checklist

• Passport Book or Passport Card, valid for at least six months after your cruise, is strongly recommended. If you do not have a Passport, you may present a state-certified U.S. Birth Certificate (not a "baby feet" hospital certificate or baptismal paper). Guests age 16 years and older that present a Birth Certificate will also need to provide a valid Driver's License or government issued picture ID.
• A COVID-19 vaccination record card for all guests 12 years of age and older. 
• A negative PCR test or antigen test for COVID-19 for all guests 2 years and older is required. This test must be taken within 3 days of the sailing date and before arriving to the terminal. Proper documentation (printed negative test results or negative test results presented on your phone) from an accredited laboratory (no doctor’s notes) is required to sail. All costs for this test are the guest's responsibility and must be done on their own, not at the terminal.
• For Bahamas Homeport only: Bahamas Health Visa is required for entry by the local government for all guests 18 years and older. Guests under 18 need to be added to a parent or guardian’s visa profile. 
• For additional protocol information, please click the link below to read the detailed FAQs.

Connect With Us On

       

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers

I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Join us at our new time of 4 PM Eastern

Journey to the Last Frontier

Our second edition of Ship to Shore newsletter has been distributed to our email subscribers. For more than a year the pause button has been pushed keeping travel to a minimum across the globe.   

We have been fortunate to travel across the globe for more than 30 years collecting memories and stories.   We've shared many of our stories here in this blog and also in person as often as possible over the years.   This newsletter is another opportunity to share our travel stories about some of our favorite destinations with our readers.

If you aren't already receiving our emails, Sign Up Today for our Ship to Shore Newsletter.   

Here is a taste of what you'll read about in our monthly newsletter.

Ahoy Mates! Come aboard and gather 'round as we tell you about our next adventure on the high seas and land that takes us to distant shores. Last time we visited a land beyond expectations - Galapagos Islands. For those just joining us this journey, visit the Expedition to Galapagos captains log.

This is the captain; our plans call for us to shove off from Seattle, Washington headed to the Last Frontier.  On this voyage you will sail aboard Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas. From the North Star observation capsule, which rises 300 feet in the air, you will have a 360-degree view of our surroundings. It’s all hands-on deck watching for diverse wildlife. Orca, Mountain Goats, Bald Eagles, Bears, Puffins, Sea Otters, and Humpback Whales which have been spotted in these waters.  You will make your way through the Inside Passage arriving at our first port of call in Juneau, Alaska. Here you will go ashore to have a meal of fresh-caught salmon baked on an open fire pit.  Once you are fed, we set sail for Skagway. Half of you will board a vintage rail car to travel along the White Pass and Yukon Route narrow-gauge railway to Bridal Veil Falls, Dead Horse Gulch, and Glacier Gorge. The rest of you will search for Klondike Gold before returning to the ship. Back onboard we sail for Sitka. When we arrive, there will be two landing parties. One group will explore the volcanic coast by ocean raft while the second group will explore the wilderness sea by kayak.  Following your exploration, we will be cruising Endicott Arm and Dawes Glacier. Endicott Arm is one of the largest breeding grounds for harbor seals on the planet. Keep your eyes peeled for these creatures splashing in icy waters near the ship. Along the shore you might also glimpse brown bears, bald eagles, sea ducks, deer, moose, and wolves. This completes our exploration of the Last Frontier so we will set a course back to Seattle.

We are planning additional voyages for this year. They must conclude by October because the winter weather will set in and travel by ship will be impossible. Sign up for these voyages here.

Subscribe to Our Monthly Newsletter

There is much to explore of the Last Frontier.   

To read the full story, subscribe to Ship to Shore today and we'll send you the last two issues.   

Connect With Us On

       

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers

I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Join us at our new time -- 4 PM Eastern

Take Me Away Africa Experience

Embark on a Virtual Vacation Experience
and Explore African Safaris and Tours!

• We're here to provide vacation inspiration! Join our virtual vacation experience from the comfort of your home.
• Get access to EXCLUSIVE OFFERS for your next African Travel Safari bucket-list vacation.
• Register for our live event today and you'll be entered to win a TUMI Backpack and Passport Case (a $765 value!)

African Travel offers an unforgettable vacation experience. Enjoy incredible wildlife encounters and discover the rich biodiversity of Africa. Get ready for the ultimate African dream vacation, where every detail of our safari tour is taken care of seamlessly!

Contact us to start planning your next bucket-list vacation!   Contact us to start planning your next vacation!  Vacations are what bring us together. #LetsGetTraveling

Connect With Us On

       

Sign-up for Exclusive Email Offers

I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.

Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat

Starting July 7, 2021 our new time will be 4 PM Eastern