Virtually travel around the world as you "Cruise with Chris" on her cruise journeys. Learn tips that will help you on YOUR next cruise vacation. Share YOUR experiences with readers. Escape, if only briefly, from reality as you put YOURSELF in these exotic destinations.
The Coronavirus Pandemic is not over by any means, but there appears to be a light at the end of the dark tunnel. Air lines have increased flights based on demand, hotels, and resorts are opening back up and finally, the cruise lines have had some successful sailings.
This anchor post will be your one stop shop for information about the resumption of travel. The CDC still is standing firm on their no-sail order from U.S. ports but the cruise lines have had more than 350,000 passengers sailing successfully from foreign ports since they began their gradual return to operations.
We are "Travel Safety Verified" which means you can count on us to help you answer the tough questions about your travel plans. This is not the time for you to go it alone. We are here to make sure you have the necessary health and safety information to plan your dream vacation.
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.
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Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat
The Moment has Arrived - Turn your Vacation Dreams into a Dream Vacation
Your long-awaited escape begins in Celebrity Cruises new homeport of St. Maarten and includes three more sparkling islands in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean.
Featured Destinations
Celebrity Millennium Sailing from St. Maarten - Summer 2021
We’re excited to offer new 7-night sailings starting this June to some of the most sought-after islands in the Caribbean, from St. Lucia to Aruba. You’ll island-hop in style aboard the stunningly revolutionized Celebrity Millennium®, sailing round-trip from St. Maarten. Set sail without a care, because your drinks, Wi-Fi, and tips are Always IncludedSM.*
As your professional travel advisor, we have all the details you'll need to know for a safe and healthy cruise experience. Some protocols are still not finalized.
Celebrity Millennium® is the first ship to be modernized in The Celebrity Revolution®. It will transport you in reimagined spaces, redesigned suites, updated staterooms, eXhale® bedding, and CashmereTM mattresses. Of course, your drinks, Wi-Fi, and tips are Always IncludedSM.
Celebrity Apex Sailing from Athens, Greece - Summer 2021
Celebrity Apex℠, the second stunning ship in the brand’s transformational, multi-award-winning Edge Series, will make its long-awaited world debut in Greece this summer beginning June 19. With luxurious seven-night sailings roundtrip from Athens through September 2021, Celebrity Apex℠ will visit some of the most idyllic destinations in the Mediterranean, including Mykonos, Rhodes and Santorini, Greece; Limassol, Cyprus; and Haifa and Jerusalem, Israel.
The sailings will open for booking on March 30.
Celebrity Apex℠ will sail with all crew and guests above the age of 18 vaccinated against COVID-19, and those
under the age of 18 with negative PCR test results.
With an innovative outward-facing design and visionary spaces that stand apart from anything else at sea (with the exception of her equally stunning sister, Celebrity Edge®, of course), Celebrity Apex will revolutionize the way you experience the world. Discover the unparalleled luxury of The Retreat®, exclusively for guests of The Retreat. Unwind in transformational accommodations that blur the boundaries between indoor and outdoor living. Soar above the sea on the Magic Carpet®. Surrender to the carefree pleasures of the Rooftop Garden. And embark on a culinary journey through an unrivaled collection of restaurants, bars, and lounges.
Note: Information about protocols and requirements to sail are subject to change. Information was current as of the date of this publication. As your professional travel advisor, we take the worry out of planning your vacation. We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they occur.
Don't Delay - Book Promptly - Risk Free
We look forward to helping you plan your next Dream Vacation onboard one of these magnificent ships. Please note that ships will be sailing at approximately 40-50% capacity, so don't delay if these itineraries interest you. Celebrity Millennium bookings are brisk and we envision Celebrity Apex will also have huge interest.
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 night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat
We look at the current state of the cruise industry through the lens of a CEO of one of the largest cruise lines. We end with an optimistic video, which was made almost a year ago, by their entertainment department .
Industry Update
As a professional travel advisor, part of my job is to stay informed, so that I can keep my guests updated with the latest information during these unprecedented times.
This morning I attended the 49th trade update presented by Royal Caribbean since the pandemic started. These weekly updates have been very beneficial to me and the rest of the trade industry. Thank you Royal Caribbean Group for your ongoing commitment and efforts during these times.
Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group, was guest speaker for this session. This image captured his expressions during his various past appearances, with the latest one reflecting joy about the progress made in resuming operations safely.
In fact, Royal Caribbean Group has already had 100,000 guests onboard. With the new protocols in place, mainly testing and contract tracing, they have only had 10 positive cases of COVID-19 without any major disruption to other passengers or countries visited. This is mainly due to the ability to isolate anyone that is showing symptoms and identify anyone they were in contact with. The industry as a whole has had 350,000 guests sailing successfully since gradually resuming sailings.
We Control the Environment
You might be wondering why there has been such a low percentage of positive cases among these 100,000 passengers. Richard Fain explained that since they are in control of the environment, everyone is tested and contract tracing can identify any possible risk from exposure. He went on to say that the contract tracing technology being used is more effective that what is used on land. There you would be contacted by phone by someone and most likely you wouldn't even know who you had been in contact with. On the ship, they can determine who you were in contact with, and for how long, using the technology put in place. Impacted individuals can quickly be identified and isolated keeping the remaining guests safely protected and not impacting their vacations.
Time to Move On
Back in October, 2020, CDC issued a Conditional Sail Order which consisted of four phases. We are still in Phase 1 with no direction regarding remaining phases. This plan is out of date, therefore Royal Caribbean has been working with health experts and various governments to put safe cruising protocols in place.
The various Public Health agencies have detailed information about infectious illnesses and the cruise lines have the data about the cruise industry and protocols. Cooperation and dialog has been very valuable, as well as science and technology, in creating a revised plan to safely resume sailing.
Royal Caribbean has announced homeport changes which will allow them to continue their gradual return to sailing. The latest announcement has sailings embarking from Bermuda starting in June (more on that in another post).
Delivering Great Experience
As you can imagine there were many questions during this session. One agent asked how crew members were holding up. Mr. Fain acknowledged that it had been hard on everyone, especially in the beginning with flight restrictions preventing crew members from getting home. He said that "while the men and women that deliver the great cruise experience had it very difficult, their response was a joy to behold." Royal Caribbean recently had a survey and within 12 hours they had overwhelming responses with the crew anxious to return. He said "I often say that I have the best job in the world. I work with a team that really cares."
Passengers who are disembarking the cruises, that have begun, are giving Royal Caribbean high marks. The cruise experience that Royal is known for is still being delivered. Another technology item that is making a difference is Muster 2.0, which allows passengers to view the safety video at their leisure and checkin at the muster station during a pre-defined period of time. This eliminates social distancing issues while still maintaining the mandatory safety requirements.
Who is Cruising Now
There had been an assumption made that when cruising resumed, the majority of the cruisers would be well-seasoned veteran cruisers. In Singapore for example, 80% of the guests are first time cruisers. In Germany, first time cruisers are at or above the level they were at prior to COVID-19.
What Destinations
Several questions were asked about various cruise destinations. He indicated that there will be a Europe season this summer, but it won't be the same as usual. Royal Caribbean is still working through the various regulatory hurdles. He mentioned that MSC and Costa are currently operating in Europe and Royal Caribbean's Israel to Greece itinerary will be very popular.
Alaska's cruise season is still in question. There has been support by several members of Congress and others, mostly on behalf of businesses in Alaska. The cruise season is short, so you can't just postpone it for a few months. One issue is the it takes months to prepare a ship's sailing so getting timely permissions is crucial.
Royal Caribbean Entertainment
A year ago the world learned about Zoom meetings and soon they discovered you perform music as well. The Royal Caribbean Entertainment team produced this video with performers all over the world to share an inspirational message. The video ends with "We'll Be Back".
This is the last time this video will be seen in its current form. Royal Caribbean is Back (sailing again)!!
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 night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat
Watch the second Royal Caribbean Quantum Ultra class ship, Odyssey of the Seas, make her way – backward – down the Ems River and to the North Sea on her conveyance. The 20-mile (32-kilometer), 10-plus-hour journey brings the highly anticipated ship one step closer to her debut in Haifa, Israel in May 2021.
Odyssey is set to sail a mix of 3- to 7-night cruises to Greece and Cyprus for the summer before continuing her inaugural year in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to cruise the eastern, western and southern Caribbean in November 2021.
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 night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat
