Getting on a Cruise Ship After Covid-19? Top 11 Things You Need to Know

I just hopped off the second cruise ship I’ve sailed since covid-19. Cruising is back and is once again a safe and convenient way to travel. Here are the top 11 things you need to know before you get on a cruise ship in a post covid-19 world.

Cruise Ships Are Back and Cruising is Safe Once Again!

You probably know that cruise ships are back as a safe and leisurely way to travel. Personally, I am so excited that one of my favorite ways to travel is an option once again.

As you can imagine, there have been many new safety protocols and health measure put into place. Understandably, you’ll want to be aware of the new protocols involved in the cruising industry before deciding if a cruise ship vacation is right for you.

This summer and fall, I had the pleasure of cruising with Princess Cruises. In early September 2021, I boarded the Majestic Princess for a 7-day inside passage Alaskan cruise. And in early November, I had the incredible opportunity to be one of the first ever to set sail on the brand new Enchanted Princess on a 3-day shakedown cruise in the Caribbean.

Not being able to go far from home over the last year brought a whole new level of appreciation for travel. This gratitude was certainly not lost on me each time I boarded a cruise with Princess earlier this year.

I seriously don’t think I’ve ever been so exciting about getting to travel. And I couldn’t think of a more convenient and leisurely way to get back into traveling than on a cruise ship.

Cruise Sailing Options

Currently, there are several cruising options available for US passengers. In early Summer 2021, Princess Cruises, along with many other cruise lines, resumed their Alaska sailings. The difference in an Alaskan cruise itinerary for US passengers is that it excludes any stops in Canada. But otherwise, the itinerary is the same as before.

Many cruise lines have also resumed sailings in the Caribbean. The last cruise I went on was the Enchanted Princess’ first-ever sailing. The Enchanted Princess will remain cruising throughout the Caribbean for the near future.

Princess also has Caribbean cruises planned in the coming months and years on board more ships. Those include the Caribbean Princess, the Emerald Princess, the Regal Princess, the Sky Princess and more.

You can currently book cruises that set sail in the next few months along the California Coast, Mexico, the Panama Canal and more. As always, things could change. But from what it looks like, more cruising will continue to become available to more destinations as global travel resumes. You can check out all sailing options on Princess Cruises here.

Cruise Ship Covid Safety

I was beyond excited about getting to cruise again. ButI was totally unsure about what to expect when I found out I would be cruising again in Summer 2021.

As excited as I was to finally leave the state of Texas again, not to mention get to visit some of my favorite places I’ve ever traveled in Alaska, I was also a bit nervous.

Luckily, my nerves were totally unwarranted. I felt 100% safe once the boarding process began for the Majestic Princess in Seattle.

There were definitely differences in the cruise process right from the start. From vaccine requirements and covid-19 testing, to things you’ll want to pack when boarding a cruise ship in a post-covid world, I came back with lots of tips and information you’ll want to know.

That’s why I’m super excited to share what I learned. And I added in some advice if you’re planning to travel by cruise ship in a post-covid world.

11 Things to Know About Cruising in a Post-Covid World

Here are the top 11 things you need to know about covid-19 and new health protocols and requirements before you set sail on your cruise ship vacation.

1 – ALL Passengers Must Be Fully Vaccinated Against Covid-19 to Board The Cruise Ship

That’s right. Princess Cruise ships are actually approaching near 100% covid vaccination rates. Hesitant about cruising again for fear of contracting covid-19? Rest easy knowing you’re entering a space where nearly every passenger and crew member is fully vaccinated.

Every passenger is required to have proof of an authorized covid-19 vaccine completed at least 14 days prior to the cruise. That means if you received one of the double dose covid-19 vaccines, you cannot board the ship until 14 full days have passed. Even if that 14th day lands on the sail away date.

Prior to boarding the cruise, your covid-19 vaccine card or digital certificate is checked alongside your passport at the cruise ship terminal.

Only your original covid-19 vaccination cards is accepted, no photocopies. So unless you have your digital covid-19 certificate, treat your vaccine card like your passport. Store it in a very secure, easy-to-find place at all times during your cruise travel.

Without valid proof of an authorized covid-19 vaccine finished 14 days before the cruise ship sets sail, you will not be allowed to board the ship.

This is something that Princess Cruises takes very seriously, and I can attest to that. Cole and I had actually planned to go on an Alaskan cruise a couple of weeks prior to our cruise date. We’d both started the Moderna vaccine in early July.

Unfortunately, since Moderna requires a 28 day wait in between the vaccines, our second dose was to be administered just shy of the 14 days before the cruise ship’s departure. After some research and emailing, I found out that the 14 day vaccination rule was without exceptions, so we ended up booking a later cruise.

All that’s to confirm that Princess Cruises is taking every single passenger and crew member’s safety very seriously on board their cruise ships. With this in mind, I felt confident that Cole and I would be safe on board the Majestic Princess.

2 – ALL Passengers Must Provide a Covid Negative Test Taken Within 48 Hours of Departure

This is a rule that was adjusted from my September 2021 Alaskan cruise to my November 2021 Caribbean cruise.

On the Alaskan cruise, we had 72 hours prior to our cruise ship departure to have the test administered.

In the most recent updates, the testing timeframe has changed to 48 hours. So in November 2021, we had a 48 hour timeframe to have the covid test administered.

That’s why it’s super important to check the most up-to-date health protocols for the exact cruise ship you’ll be boarding. They can vary by cruise line and location of your cruise vacation and can change daily.

You can find the most up-to-date information for sailings from the United States for Princess Cruises here. Also, be sure to not let emails from your cruise line hit your spam box once you’ve booked your cruise. You’ll likely receive any important updates regarding your cruise ship’s health protocols via email as well.

Getting the test administered 48 hours before your cruise ship departs means exactly two days before the first sail date. If your cruise is taking off on a Sunday, for example, then the earliest you can have the test administered is on the Friday before departure.

3 – Tips on Where to Have Your Covid-19 Test Administered

Where you decide to have your covid-19 test done is equally as important as when. First, you want to be sure that the covid-19 test you choose is accepted by your cruise line.

Princess Cruises accepts both antigen tests and NAAT tests. Here’s the guidelines on tests that are acceptable for Princess Cruises.

I went through different companies for covid-19 testing on the two cruises I just took and had totally different experiences.

My most important tip regarding testing for covid-19 is to have your covid-19 test done as soon as possible. As in, on the very first day and at the earliest time.

DON’T USE: MAKO Health

Many test results may not come in until the day you depart for your cruise. So you’ll want to give yourself as much time as possible so you can board your cruise on time.

For our Alaskan cruise, Cole and I were limited with testing location options since we were out of town on the first day we could test. We were in the Breckenridge, Colorado area when our timeframe opened up, so we had to find a testing location there.

Unfortunately, at the time, it was very difficult to find any locations nearby that offered covid-19 testing. After doing some calling and research, I found out about a drive through covid-19 testing location nearby our hotel. It was done through MAKO health.

The good thing was that we didn’t have to get out of our cars and there was no line. Unfortunately, our test results ended up taking much longer to get back than we’d been told.

On the morning our cruise ship departed, I waited two and a half hours on the phone to speak to a representative from MAKO Health. After I finally got through, I was told they had no way of knowing when I’d get the results. She ultimately recommended I find a way to take a rapid test before our cruise that morning.

This meant Cole and I had to find a rapid testing site in Seattle on a Sunday before our boarding time at 11am. Luckily, we found a location in a suburb outside of Seattle.

As we were in line for testing, Cole received his test results from MAKO, but I still didn’t have mine. To be safe, I went through and paid the $200 for the rapid covid test. Of course, as I was getting my nose swabbed, I felt my phone buzz with my results from our previous test.

I definitely recommend having your covid-19 test done through a company that has a reputation for getting fast results.

DO USE: CVS Pharmacy or Walgreens

Since my mom and I had even less time to get the test administered before the Caribbean cruise, I was on the spot with testing. I did research and found that CVS has a pretty good reputation with getting fast results. And, I booked my covid testing appointment for the earliest possible time on the first eligible day. Just about 28 hours later, I received my negative covid-19 test results.

My mom, however, did her test at another CVS location. Unfortunately, she wasn’t able to get her test done until the evening of the first eligible day. She didn’t receive her results in time. Luckily, since she had proof that she’d taken the test on the first eligible day, Princess offered a test at the port without charge.

So another tip is, definitely keep your proof of testing in case you don’t receive the results in time. That way, your cruise line can see that you took the necessary steps to get the test done. And if you get lucky, the cruis line might have free testing options for you at the port.

I don’t recommend using an at-home test, unless you use one recommended by your cruise line. Princess has partnered with Opum so US-based vaccinated guests can order an FDA-authorized at-home test. You can order your test online through the Princess website.

Unless you do it through a company your cruise line has partnered with, I don’t recommend using an at-home test. A couple we were traveling with used an at-home test which wasn’t accepted by Princess so they had to get an additional test done at the port.

Your cruise line might offer testing at the port, but I wouldn’t chance it. Princess did have testing at the port in Fort Lauderdale at a cost of $200. In Seattle, however, testing at the port wasn’t available.

4 – Masks Are Required on Board

Make sure to pack plenty of masks for your cruise ship vacation. Masks are required indoors on cruise ships with the exception of inside your own state room. They are required when a crew member enters your stateroom, however.

I always kept a mask hanging on the hook by the door in our cabin and kept an extra in the crossbody bag I carried with me. If you’re extra savvy, buy a lanyard or necklace to attach to your mask. That way you can take it on and off as needed. You can take the mask off when you’re seated for a meal, when you’re eating or when you’re drinking.

Princess Cruises have really cute fabric masks available to purchase starting at just $10 on board their cruise ships. On their MedallionClass ships, you can buy one using your MedallionClass app and have it sent right to your room.

5 – Social Distancing is in

Throughout your cruise, social distancing is encouraged and implemented throughout the ship. Elevators are limited to no more than 6 passengers and floor stickers are placed throughout the ship where lines to tend to form to ensure a healthy amount of space between you and other passengers.

In addition, Princess Cruises requires that all passengers select an embarkation time prior to their cruise so that social distancing is in place from the very start. As a bonus, this means lines and wait times during embarkation at the port terminal are short and run smoothly.

Princess has also built in protocols through their dining reservation options on OceanNow so that meal reservations are spaced apart and the dining rooms don’t become too crowded.

6 – Hand Sanitization is a Must

Throughout the ship, you’ll find hand sanitization stations to make it convenient for you to keep your hands germ-free. For example, at the large buffet area, passengers are required to thoroughly wash their hands at the hand washing stations. On our cruise, there were also crew members placed at the entrance of the Princess Theater to ensure every audience member used hand sanitizer before the show.

We found hand sanitization stations outside all specialty restaurants and food kiosks. They can also be found throughout the ship in areas frequented by passengers like the pool deck, the piazza and near the elevators.

7 – Extra Cleaning Protocols Are in Place

Crew members also have extra protocols in place all over the ship to ensure passenger and crew safety. For example, on the Enchanted Princess, crew members thoroughly cleaned and sanitized the tender boats after every group was taken to Princess Cays.

When walking around the ship late at night, we also noticed hundreds of crew members working to clean every single area and restaurant after it had closed. It was very obvious that cleaning measures are taken very seriously throughout the cruise ship.

8 – Differences in Room Service, Cleaning and Turn Down Services

The great news is, room service is fully available on Princess Cruises. And now thanks to MedallionClass technology, there are more room service options than ever through OceanNow.

I noticed on our Alaska cruise that additional menu and service items had been added to OceanNow since our Mediterranean cruise.

Then on the cruise I took just over a month later, I noticed even more menu items had been added. So if you’re worried that room service has been suspended due to covid-19, think again! Your room service options have actually never been better on Princess Cruises.

The only difference is the mask requirement for when crew members enter your room with items.

What has changed a bit more due to covid-19 protocol is cleaning and turn down service. Your cabin will continue to be cleaned daily (unless you request otherwise), but turndown service will need to be requested.

On Princess Cruises, this can be done through your MedallionClass app in the OceanNow section. That’s the same place you request food and drinks! There’s an option to select turn down for the current night only or for all evenings of your cruise. We definitely requested it for all evenings.

9 – Spa Service and On Board Entertainment Availability

If you like to feel extra relaxed on your cruise, then rejoice! At least on Princess Cruises, the Lotus Spa is open and offering all services. The only difference I noticed is that wearing a mask is required as you enter the spa and relaxation room. The mask can be removed if receiving treatments while face down, but must be worn when you’re face up, unless you’re having treatments done to your face.

As far as entertainment goes, I really didn’t notice a difference in either of the cruises. Although masks are required for audience members, Princess’ amazing live shows in the Princess Theater are better than ever.

There were also still several live performers throughout the ship on both our Alaskan and Caribbean cruises. Trivia, game shows, comedians, lecturers, etc. are all also still offered as a part of your cruise vacation.

A couple of entertainment regulars that aren’t currently being offered on Princess is Voice of the Ocean, behind-the-scenes tours, and Captain’s Champagne Waterfall. Check your cruise lines website for the latest on what entertainment is available on your cruise ship.

10 – What About Shore Excursions?

Cruise lines still allow you to book from the many exciting shore excursions available at each port. I did notice that some excursion options weren’t available on our cruises since I’ve been to the ports before.

But there are still plenty of exciting adventures to fill your day while you’re in port through cruise excursions.

Most excursions do also require passengers to wear a mask at all indoor locations and in certain outdoor situations as well. So you’ll definitely want to pack a couple of masks with you for every excursion or for any time you go to shore.

11 – And Here’s The Low Down on What Happens if You Do Test Positive for Covid-19 during your cruise

Obviously, if you don’t have proof of a negative test taken within the required timeframe before your cruise ship departure, you won’t be allowed to board. But if you happen to exhibit symptoms during your cruise ship journey, you will be asked to take a covid-19 test while on board.

If you test positive for covid, you’ll be treated either in your stateroom or in the designated area of the Medical Center in a single occupancy ward. You’ll then be moved to another cabin alongside any other traveling companions and close contacts and will be quarantined for the remainder of your journey.

In good news, Princess Cruises offers 100% future cruise credit for each missed cruise day to passengers who must be quarantined.

Feeling Safe and Confident to Cruise Yet?

In case you were worried about feeling safe on a cruise ship in a post covid-19 world, know that every possible measure is being taken to ensure your health and safety.

To be honest, I felt more protected from contracting covid-19 on a cruise ship where I knew everyone was not only vaccinated, but had also been recently tested than I do in a lot of other situations in life. In my opinion, it’s one of the very safest ways to travel right now. And as always, it’s definitely the most convenient and relaxing way to travel!

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Fair-well xx,