“What’s it like cruising during the COVID-19 pandemic?”
It’s a question we’ve been asked many times since the return of cruise holidays in summer 2021. The answer will determine whether some clients go ahead with their next voyage. Others are just looking for reassurance that they’ve covered all the proper bases before setting off.
The answer is also subject to a range of factors and variables, such as the intended destination and the cruise operator’s guidelines and restrictions. Furthermore, a trip’s port of origin has a bearing. For example, the policies for ex-UK cruises have, at times, differed significantly from itineraries requiring flights overseas.
Those lucky enough to enjoy a successful cruise during the past eight months are no doubt best placed to talk about what cruising during the COVID-19 pandemic is actually like, so we asked several members of our team about their most recent experiences. You can watch the video below, along with a full transcript of the conversations that took place.
The conversation features contributions from:
- Louisa Maynard (Voyage Consultant) – sailed with Scenic River Cruises on the Douro last October.
- Lee Whittington (Marketing Executive) – cruised the British Isles with Tradewind Voyages in July and Greece with Silversea last August.
- Debbie Belcher (Marketing Manager) – set sail from Southampton with Celebrity Cruises in July.
- Jess Claxton (Voyage Consultant) – enjoyed a resort holiday in Spain last summer.
Watch the video:
VIDEO GOES HERE
Transcript:
Q1: What were you required to do before leaving for your cruise/holiday?
LM: For arriving in Portugal, we didn’t do any tests – we just had to show our vaccination status. For Scenic specifically, we need to do a PCR test 72 hours before boarding the ship.
JC: I had to do a PCR test 48 hours before arrival in Majorca. I also had to complete a Spanish health travel form.
DB: Yes, we had to do a PCR test. We went to Boots and had the test there; then, we had to wait two days for a negative result before we could embark in Southampton.
Q2: What was the airport/embarkation process like?
LM: When we arrived in Portugal, we went through passport control as normal, but with our PLF (Passenger Locator Form) as proof. When we got to the ship, we had to show our vaccination status and our negative PCR test and go through the usual passport checking procedures.
JC: When I got to the airport, the process was straightforward. I came off the aircraft and just needed to scan the QR code that appeared on our PLF for Spain.
DB: It was a bit stressful because the WiFi (at the port) wasn’t working very well. I would recommend taking a photocopy of your COVID vaccination and proof of your negative PCR test – which helped.
LW: When I cruised with Tradewind Voyages from the UK, there was nothing we had to do before leaving, aside from a test in Portland before embarkation, which was a fairly quick process. Some tents were set up outside, and we just had to wait 20-30 minutes for the results. Once we had the results, we were safe to board. There wasn’t a test required to leave the UK for my Silversea cruise in the Greek Isles, but a PCR test was needed before we could board the ship. That was the beauty of flying out with Silversea; we were picked up from the airport, taken straight to the testing centre (because we were joining mid-cruise). They did our PCR tests; while we were waiting for the results, we made our way to the port, and once we were given the all-clear, we had to fill out a short questionnaire for the medical staff and then were allowed to board.
Q3: Did the pandemic affect your cruise/holiday? Were there any specific guidelines you had to follow while you were away?
JC: The holiday was laid-back; we just had to have an antigen test two days before arrival back into the UK.
DB: During the cruise, we had to wear masks when walking around the ship – and pretty much the whole time, unless we were drinking in the bar or eating in the restaurants.
LW: Although there were a couple of months between both cruises, they were quite similar. We had to wear masks inside, apart from when drinking or dining, but essentially we had to wear them whenever possible, aside from when out on the deck. Of course, plenty of people did because they were happy to, but it didn’t matter as distancing was fairly easy as the sun loungers were far apart!
Q4: What was the disembarkation/airport process like?
LM: For flying home, we needed to do a PLF for the UK, so we did this 48 hours before we got to the airport. We had to show our vaccination status again, along with our PLF form at check-in, which allowed us onto the plane. We went through passport control; everything was smooth. We did all the usual things when arriving back in the UK. We then had to do a lateral flow test within two days and send that off to prove we were negative.
JC: Before arriving at the airport, we had to complete a PLF and, upon arrival, had to show proof of negative lateral flow tests and show our PLF form to board the plane.
DM: It was so easy. We disembarked (in Southampton) and went straight home! Last summer, you weren’t required to take a test, so we didn’t have to isolate.
LW: I’ll start with Tradewind Voyages because we disembarked in Dover. There wasn’t anything we needed to do in particular, as we hadn’t left UK waters – we’d just sailed along the coast. It was nice and easy; we disembarked as normal, as you would have done before the pandemic. With Silversea, it was slightly different; we needed a PCR test before we returned to the UK, which was done onboard. Silversea had a testing centre set up, and we did the tests two days before the end of the cruise. It was situated on the way to breakfast, so we stopped off, took the test and went to breakfast. I didn’t really think anything of it, it didn’t take more than 3 or 4 minutes, and most of that was just waiting in a very short queue while the other guests were testing. After getting the all-clear later in the day, Silversea put the proof of the negative test into our passports, and we were taken to the airport, where we had to give in our PLF form. As was the case with Debbie’s experience, the WiFi in the airport was spotty, so I was relieved I had everything printed out. It wasn’t too bad and nothing out of the ordinary – just a busy airport. When we got back into the UK, we flew through the airport with no problems at all.
Q5: Would you book to travel again in the near future?
LM: Absolutely! The experience was so enjoyable, I’ve already booked two holidays for this year, and I’m sure I’ll have more!
JC: Absolutely – I’ve already rebooked a holiday to Spain in June.
DM: Yes, definitely – especially from Southampton. It was so easy as we live in the southeast.
LW: Yeah, I’d definitely go away again. There was a little bit of extra paperwork, but to be honest, it didn’t impact the trip at all. I’ve got personal holidays booked for later in the year.
Have you cruised during the COVID-19 pandemic? How would you rate your experience? Let us know in the comments below.
