The pandemic has made taking a cruise a somewhat different experience. Covid has impacted most areas of life around the world, but cruises have been affected more than most travel. All U.S. cruise lines including Royal Caribbean (RCL), Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL), Norwegian Cruise Line (NCLH), and even Walt Disney's (DIS) cruise line stopped sailing from March 2020 through July 2021 (with Disney waiting a little longer to come back).
Cruising has returned from U.S. ports, but it's not quite the same experience cruisers had before the pandemic. Some of the changes are minor hassles, while others may make some people consider delaying their trip until the pandemic goes away -- something that may not fully happen.
Protocols have been changing -- and will change again soon for Royal Caribbean and Norwegian passengers -- but much of the altered experience has been consistent since cruises from U.S. ports resumed in July.
Image source: Daniel Kline.
What's It Like On a Cruise Ship Right Now?
Royal Caribbean requires that all passengers 12 and older be fully vaccinated before they get on board. That means they must be two weeks past their second shot of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccine or two weeks past a single shot of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
None of the three major cruise lines requires that passengers get a booster shot to be considered fully vaccinated. Royal Caribbean asks passengers to upload their vaccine cards before their cruise using its app so they can be verified. Passengers must also answer some health questions in the app which become available roughly 24 hours before your cruise.
In addition to proof of vaccination, all cruisers must take an approved Covid test, no earlier than two days before their cruise. It's two days, not 48 hours, meaning that if you depart on a Sunday, you can take your test either Friday or Saturday. Assuming you test negative, a printout of your results (or a version shown on your phone) must be shown at the port before you can board.
Once at the port cruisers generally have to stick to their allotted check-in time. That policy seems more strict than it was before the pandemic but it has been very strict on some cruises and not enforced on others. In addition, you will have to wear a mask once you enter the port facility, generally removing it briefly for a picture or to show that you match the picture you took before your cruise.
Once you get to the front of the line you will be asked to show your Set-Sail Pass (Royal Caribbean's name for your ticket). your passport (or, in some cases, other acceptable forms of ID), your proof of vaccination, and your test results. On some cruises, you will have to show these multiple times. For others, it may only be once.
Assuming you have all of those things you can board the ship. That generally requires one more scan of your Set-Sail Pass and then it's time to board.
What Happens Once You Board a Royal Caribbean Ship Right Now?
During this entire time and as you board and once you are on the ship, you will be wearing a mask. As of early February, Royal Caribbean passengers -- regardless of vaccine status -- must keep their masks on in all public indoor areas unless they are stationary and eating or drinking.
From a practical point of view, most passengers remove their masks once stationary in any venue that serves food or drinks. Royal Caribbean has not been strict on this, which may be because as of Feb. 15 the cruise line will allow vaccinated passengers to remove their masks in areas that are only for vaccinated passengers. Those include mot bars and restaurants, as well as the casino.
Currently, smoking has been prohibited in the casino and the company has not said whether it will return when the mask rules loosen.
Masks are not required while outside (though they're technically suggested in crowded areas nor do you gave to wear them at Royal Caribbean's private island, Coco Cay.
At the various ports, mask rules and whether you need to carry your proof of vaccination vary by locale and the cruise line does not set those rules.
In addition to the mask rules, there are some other things that are different onboard, though it does vary somewhat by ship:
- A printed Cruise Compass (the onboard schedule) may not be delivered to your room. In some cases, they can be requested from your room steward and, in others, they are available at guest services.
- Menus in some locations are only available via scanning a QR code. In most of the main dining venues and the main dining room, printed menus are still generally being used.
- Some events that don't allow for social distancing are not available. These include some parties, laser tag, the Quest (a sort of adult scavenger hunt), and select other events.
In addition, crew members testing positive have led to some shows being canceled or modified. And, because ships are sailing with reduced capacities (though some have returned to nearly normal) hours may vary compared to pre-pandemic at venues like the Windjammer buffet.
Cruising on Royal Caribbean (or Carnival, Norwegian, or Disney) right now requires a level of flexibility. The rules may change based on what happens with Covid. Ports or activities could be canceled and things may not be exactly as you plan for them to be.
