In 2021, cruise travel was permitted to return to operations in the U.S. and around the world, and for that alone, the industry, travel agents and their clients have much to celebrate. During the last 12 months, I personally took a dozen international and domestic sailings — 11 on the oceans and one on a river — and each was a reminder of how great it was to be back.
But it’s still not entirely business as usual. All of my cruises had implemented some degree of health protocols to keep COVID-19 at bay, which the industry has (mostly) succeeded at doing.
What’s interesting is how many measures these businesses shared, and how many varied from one line to the next.
COVID-19 Vaccinations and Cruising
Following the introduction of COVID-19 vaccines, cruise lines began mandating the shots pretty much across the board. The Conditional Sailing Order from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) dictates additional protocols for voyages with a vaccination rate lower than 95% (for both passengers and crew), so most lines sail at that threshold or above.
The primary variable has been young cruisers, and what ages are deemed safe enough for kids to receive the vaccine (as well as how many unvaccinated children any particular cruise line has been willing to accept). For instance, Norwegian Cruise Line has said from day one that they will only sail at a 100% vaccination rate (at this time), which has excluded children too young to get the shot. This has opened the door for family-friendly cruise brands, such as Disney Cruise Line, to embrace more kids on their ships.
As I got fully vaccinated in March, I was ready to take my first 2021 sailing on UnCruise Adventures in May.
COVID-19 Testing
In any case, all clients should expect some form of COVID-19 testing before boarding, either within a certain number of hours before joining the ship, right at the pier or both. I’ve been rapid antigen and PCR tested, ranging from simple saliva samples to well-up-the-nostril approaches. And as unpleasant as these experiences can be, they are at least quickly administered and over before you know it.
Having spoken with Royal Caribbean Group chairman and CEO Richard Fain (who is retiring from the position in January) recently, he thinks it is possible testing may become less prevalent in the future.
Cruise Ship Capacity
Once onboard, ship capacities have also varied during this last year. In an effort to ensure social distancing, reduced passenger counts have been common. On mega ships, this can amount to some venues feeling like ghost towns. (During my sailing this month on MSC Cruises’ MSC Meraviglia, the central galleria was wide open while the ship was docked in port.)
On a recent MSC Meraviglia cruise, capacity limits resulted in empty onboard spaces at times.
Credit: 2021 Jason LeppertInversely, Norwegian does not require distancing or capacity reductions of any kind due to its 100% vaccination rate. So, my cruise onboard Norwegian Encore felt more crowded in Alaska by comparison, but it was actually a nice return to normalcy to see so many fellow travelers enjoying themselves again.
From what I’ve gathered, any remaining capacity control is likely to be one the first measures to be abandoned in the future.
Related to capacity is the number of ships within any given line’s fleet that have returned to service. It’s estimated that 80% of the global complement will be back by year’s end, with the rest to relaunch in the coming months.
Masking
In my opinion, the use of face coverings is the most divisive and interruptive element of cruising at the moment. Again, Norwegian does not require face coverings — given its inoculation numbers — and neither does Celebrity Cruises, which sails at a 95% vaccination rate or above.
In fact, the CDC itself does not require masks to be worn on sailings meeting a 95% vaccination rate, but several cruise lines have implemented them anyway — most likely out of an abundance of caution until all ships in each company’s fleet are successfully deployed.
Of my 12 cruises in 2021, seven were masked — to varying extents — while five were free of face coverings. Admittedly, masks were the most uncomfortable part of cruise travel in 2021, especially given it’s a more prolonged nuisance than a fast test. Any time I can forego them, I am much happier for it.
