The working day has ultimately arrived, Royal Caribbean’s first cruise to the Caribbean and Bahamas in 15 months. The final Royal Caribbean cruise ship to depart from North America on a cruise was back on March 13, 2020. I try to remember that day due to the fact I was on the very last ship to go away Miami just before the cruise shutdown.
Immediately after currently being on the previous Royal Caribbean cruise ship to established sail and visit their private island CocoCay, I realized I just experienced to be on the initial sailing back again. I booked this cruise on Experience of the Seas out of Nassau in just the first hour that cabins opened for bookings.
What is it like on board? Listed here are my initially impressions of Royal Caribbean’s return to the Bahamas/Caribbean.
Embarkation was as opposed to any other cruise I have taken. Given that this cruise was out of Nassau, the port is not made for a regular cruise ship embarkation. Verify-in was accomplished at the British Colonial Hilton just down the avenue wherever every person was analyzed for COVID-19 just before remaining cleared to board.
Royal Caribbean assigned look at-in occasions for absolutely everyone to distribute out the circulation of travellers entering the lodge. I was assigned a 1 pm check out-in time. When I arrived at the hotel, they took my temperature, gave me hand sanitizer, and instructed me to head to the testing place.
The look at-in and check took just a few minutes, was a truly smooth system. Soon after we were being tested, we headed to a substantial meeting room to check out-in for our cruise and to wait for our examination effects.
Just gained our COVID check and checked in for the cruise. Waiting around on the benefits so we can board the ship. #AdventureOfTheSeas pic.twitter.com/7rttR5SbsB
— Cruise Fever (@CruiseFever) June 12, 2021
It was all-around 40 minutes just before I been given the electronic mail saying that my check came back detrimental. I was cleared to board the ship and hopped on a shuttle bus for the small experience to the pier.
We”ve waited 15 months for this, time to cruise on @RoyalCaribbean Adventure of the Seas. #ComeSeek pic.twitter.com/dYmrTlZUco
— Cruise Fever (@CruiseFever) June 12, 2021
Even however crew associates haven’t labored a sailing in in excess of a yr, it was like they have not missed a beat. All over the place on the ship I’m satisfied with a welcoming hello and service has far exceeded my expectations.
Numerous crew associates presently say “Hello Ben” each and every time when I stroll by them, have never ever experienced so a lot of don’t forget my identify on the initially working day. You can notify they are happy to when once more be functioning on a ship.
The ship is sailing at about 30% capacity so the ship clearly by no means feels crowded. I’m loving just about every moment of it, there are a lot of chairs anywhere you want to sit, like the pool deck and solarium.
A look at how @RoyalCaribbean is holding guests safe on #AdventureOfTheSeas. Tables reserved for social distancing, loungers unfold aside on the pool deck, and markers to stand on when in line. pic.twitter.com/ehj4ez0yEh
— Cruise Fever (@CruiseFever) June 12, 2021
Royal Caribbean has executed many social distancing evaluate to aid retain attendees protected. Lounge chairs on the pool deck are divided into sections of two and quite a few tables in Windjammer and other dining establishments are shut to allow for for spacing concerning attendees.
Talking of the Windjammer, it is open up and as fantastic as ever. The only authentic modify is that the crew now places the food stuff on the plate for you, no a lot more self provide. This helps keep visitors safe and will certainly support lower down on food stuff waste.
The demise of the buffet on cruise ships has been greatly exaggerated. Windjammer is open on Journey of the Seas but the crew now serves you. pic.twitter.com/iXUv4EPQqP
— Cruise Fever (@CruiseFever) June 12, 2021
Menus at bars and at eating places is now performed with QR codes and your mobile phone, it arrives in truly helpful. Also, the Cruise Compass is no longer dropped off in your cabin. Every thing is carried out on the Royal Caribbean Application. Nonetheless, I did see some a handful of Cruise Compasses available near the buyer service desk for these who however want a paper copy. It is only day a single, so we’ll see if items transform in the course of the cruise.
All adults on this cruise have been whole vaccinated, and also the crew. Masks are optional and I’ve only noticed just one or two travellers putting on one particular. Crew users on the other hand dress in a mask at all times.
I was worried when cruises began back up that with all of the new well being protocols, it would tremendously have an effect on the cruise experience and wouldn’t be as pleasant. Royal Caribbean has managed to preserve the cruise experience practically the exact same still insert in the extra protections essential to hold company protected. I’ve been on around 40 cruises and the encounter on this a single is rather much like the many others.
1 of the things we’ve missed the most, strolling all over the ship at night when you are out to sea. pic.twitter.com/DNiLUUrhL5
— Cruise Fever (@CruiseFever) June 13, 2021
It truly feels fantastic to be back again on a cruise ship and ideally lots of of our readers will be in a position to encounter that embarkation emotion all over again before long.
I will publish additional as the cruise goes on. So far, the to start with 10 several hours on board have been nothing shorter of superb.
Our cruise will invest two times at CocoCay, a sea day, Cozumel, sea working day, and then a check out to Grand Bahama Island to complete the cruise.
About the Author
