If there’s one thing I have discovered while returning to ocean cruise travel, it’s that every line varies when it comes to its current health and safety measures. My latest sailing was onboard Silversea Cruises’ Silver Moon, and I had originally expected its protocols to follow closely with other Royal Caribbean Group brands.
However, the luxury line took a different approach.
For instance, for my upcoming trip on corporate cousin Celebrity Cruises from San Diego, Calif., vaccinated guests will not need to wear masks onboard. But on Silversea, everyone was required to wear face coverings indoors — even though all passengers were fully inoculated.
Delving deeper into the details, Silversea does follow Royal Caribbean’s broader Healthy Sail Panel, but further specifies measures based on the particular ship and destination. In the case of Silver Moon, EU regulations also apply, and — like other competing cruise companies sailing in Mediterranean regions — the ship had stricter guidelines overall.
The first measure of defense was taking a rapid antigen test before boarding. A series of tents and terminal buildings in Athens, Greece, shuttled us through from one checkpoint to another. Our vaccination cards and passenger locator forms were verified, and then we were tested and asked to wait about 15 minutes to receive our results. Then, we got our keys and went through security to embark.
Besides the mask mandates and the 100% vaccination rate of all guests and crew, the ship’s capacity was greatly reduced to ensure physical distancing. Our sailing was only about half full (with guest numbers in the 300s), meaning there were more crew (411) than passengers.
While other lines are making the muster drill a virtual process that demonstrates life jacket wearing at a quick check-in station, Silversea had everyone gather for a longer in-person announcement, but it was split into two sessions to limit the number of guests gathered together.
Admittedly, I was surprised when an officer wouldn’t let me in an elevator with two other people, but officially only two were allowed on at any given time — with the exception of larger groups traveling together. In practice, when the elevator was unmonitored, more than two cruisers would occasionally fill it. However, more often than not, I rode the elevators privately.
Regarding masks, passengers’ attitudes toward them were mixed. While not required outside, some would still wear them, and others I spoke to struggled with wearing them indoors. A British couple, now used to face coverings being voluntary in the U.K., said it was a challenge to remember to wear them again.
Also a bit unusual was Silversea’s daily temperature checks. Before noon, we were asked to have our foreheads scanned. It was relatively easy, but it was strange to have one’s butler play doctor every morning. By comparison, other lines utilize a facial-recognition scanner from a greater distance to accomplish the same, which feels less intrusive.
Onshore, we were able to explore the ports of call either via a tour or independently, provided we respected local regulations. In Greece, that also meant wearing face coverings indoors, but not outside. And back onboard, of course, hand washing was a priority, with sinks positioned before the self-service buffet and sanitizer stations frequently placed throughout the ship’s public spaces.
On the last day of the cruise, Silversea covered the cost of a rapid antigen test for guests returning to the U.S.
Some processes, such as the long series of steps required to board, were laborious. And some onboard measures were inconvenient, but the wonderful cruise more than made up for these protocols and thankfully, most of these rules are ultimately just temporary.
As always, just be sure your clients know exactly what to expect.
The Details
Silversea Cruises
