Is It Safe To Book?

[FJB]

Ok we are taking a chance that ‘rona protocols/vax & testing requirements are NOT returning this winter. We just booked our first post-rona cruise on the Celebrity Millennium leaving out of San Juan in February. We booked Aqua Class because it included tips, wifi, and adult beverages. Concierge class was more expensive when adding the extras and standard verandas were not a lot cheaper. Worth it to us to spend a bit extra For the larger cabins.  
 

If mandates return, we are screwed because we did not purchase travel insurance. Fingers crossed.  Jammies inside out. 

[DeanneB]

It sounds like you got a pretty good deal.  Celebrity has always been generous with their deals.  Hopefully,  the mandates do not revert back.  I don't think it will return, as we have generally managed, not really controlled the spread, but have coped up with the situation.  I think 2023 is a good year to book a cruise.  

[GretchenL]

On November 3 I disembarked Silhouette after a Southampton to Miami transatlantic.  For the TA cruises, Celebrity still required vaccination, but not boosters, so of course there was a lot of COVID onboard. There were no PA announcements about it; it was just word of mouth "the people we traveled with are in quarantine." Etc. My husband and I got the new boosters before our flight to London; even so I came home feeling unwell,  testing positive today. It was bad enough with all passengers vaccinated; I can only imagine how bad it will be this winter when willfully unvaxxed are onboard. At least my symptoms are relatively  mild; I hate to think of how sick I'd be if I did not have that recent booster. 

[FJB]

On 11/5/2022 at 2:32 PM, GretchenL said:

On November 3 I disembarked Silhouette after a Southampton to Miami transatlantic.  For the TA cruises, Celebrity still required vaccination, but not boosters, so of course there was a lot of COVID onboard. There were no PA announcements about it; it was just word of mouth "the people we traveled with are in quarantine." Etc. My husband and I got the new boosters before our flight to London; even so I came home feeling unwell,  testing positive today. It was bad enough with all passengers vaccinated; I can only imagine how bad it will be this winter when willfully unvaxxed are onboard. At least my symptoms are relatively  mild; I hate to think of how sick I'd be if I did not have that recent booster. 

You know all the latest data shows that people who don’t get the boosters are less likely to get the ‘rona to begin with so your arguments are somewhat laughable but you do you. 

[Emrys]

On 10/27/2022 at 2:01 AM, FJB said:

Ok we are taking a chance that ‘rona protocols/vax & testing requirements are NOT returning this winter. We just booked our first post-rona cruise on the Celebrity Millennium leaving out of San Juan in February. We booked Aqua Class because it included tips, wifi, and adult beverages. Concierge class was more expensive when adding the extras and standard verandas were not a lot cheaper. Worth it to us to spend a bit extra For the larger cabins.  
 

If mandates return, we are screwed because we did not purchase travel insurance. Fingers crossed.  Jammies inside out. 

@FJB, fingers crossed for you! I don't think the protocols will return, especially now that the CDC is out of the picture.

[Cruiser44]

I also don't think the protocols will make a return! But you should still take out travel insurance no matter what!

[KristineF]

I agree with the insurance, just in case.  I also think the protocols will not return.  It isn't as bad as last year.  

[FJB]

12 hours ago, KristineF said:

I agree with the insurance, just in case.  I also think the protocols will not return.  It isn't as bad as last year.  

I hope you are right - I don’t want to wear a mask on my vacation!

[Emrys]

On 12/2/2022 at 2:08 AM, FJB said:

I hope you are right - I don’t want to wear a mask on my vacation!

Throw that mask away! Unless you're cruising in Australia!

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@FJBAlthough cruising with a mask wasn't the worst thing, I am certainly glad the masking protocols have changed. 

[FJB]

1 minute ago, Kendall James-Vargas said:

@FJBAlthough cruising with a mask wasn't the worst thing, I am certainly glad the masking protocols have changed. 

I would probably forfeit my money before cruising with a mask. Only wore one less than an hour in total the last 3 years so definitely not wearing one for 7 days. So fingers still crossed for the February cruise. 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@FJB I wouldn't be too worried about it. That's pretty impressive. I can't say the same. I was wearing a mask daily for about 2 years.

[FJB]

3 minutes ago, Kendall James-Vargas said:

@FJB I wouldn't be too worried about it. That's pretty impressive. I can't say the same. I was wearing a mask daily for about 2 years.

Dang!  My local health officer closed my business over my non-enforcement of mask wearing among my employees and customers. She took me to court and I won.  Reading the cruise news articles and cruiser comments for the last year where the crew was still required to wear masks But in some cases the cruise customer was not required, I really felt for the crew - what a 2 class society we created...

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@FJB Wow, that's very impressive! I think closing a business over the idea sounds a bit extreme. I totally agree, if the guests aren't required to wear a mask, the crew shouldn't need to either. I have seen crew members sweating in their mask, while social distancing. For example, lifeguards who are forced to wear a mask outdoors in extremely hot temperatures. I think that's not fair. If someone is saving my life, I don't care if you are wearing a mask or not. 

[FJB]

44 minutes ago, Kendall James-Vargas said:

@FJB Wow, that's very impressive! I think closing a business over the idea sounds a bit extreme. I totally agree, if the guests aren't required to wear a mask, the crew shouldn't need to either. I have seen crew members sweating in their mask, while social distancing. For example, lifeguards who are forced to wear a mask outdoors in extremely hot temperatures. I think that's not fair. If someone is saving my life, I don't care if you are wearing a mask or not. 

I think most mainstream cruiselines have removed the mask mandates for crew members Finally. But unfortunately some school districts are bringing the masks back. 

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@FJB I'm very glad! Yes, when I drop my daughter off at school I see teachers and staff wearing them. For the young ages, I don't find them that effective. But my children do enjoy licking them while wearing them, which I find pretty disgusting.

[FJB]

30 days away from our 1st post ‘rona cruise, so just finished completing the online check-in. Exciting!  So far, no return of the face diapers on cruises so it looks like we are in the clear.  The stars, moons, and sun are lining up...

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@FJB You are too funny. I believe you are the first person to call masks "face diapers."  Thanks for the exciting update. I know some ports are still recommending masks, but most policies have become much more relaxed. 

I was very excited when cruise lines allowed their crew to have optional masking. 

https://www.cruisehive.com/royal-caribbean-and-celebrity-ditches-mask-requirement-for-crew/83443

[Emrys]

On 1/27/2023 at 2:58 AM, FJB said:

30 days away from our 1st post ‘rona cruise, so just finished completing the online check-in. Exciting!  So far, no return of the face diapers on cruises so it looks like we are in the clear.  The stars, moons, and sun are lining up...

You will have to keep us updated on how the cruise goes. Which ship is it?

[FJB]

2 hours ago, Emrys said:

You will have to keep us updated on how the cruise goes. Which ship is it?

We are going on the Millennium - our 3rd time on this particular ship, 1st time since it has been “revolutionized”. 

[Emrys]

22 minutes ago, FJB said:

We are going on the Millennium - our 3rd time on this particular ship, 1st time since it has been “revolutionized”. 

I actually just noticed above that you already said you booked that ship! I should have checked, lol. I can see that the dry dock was completed in February 2019, so fairly fresh for sure. if anyone wants some quick details and stats on the Celebrity Millennium, this might help:

1586210816_Celebrity-Millennium-Fact-Sheet.pdf

[3Sisters]

@FJB It looks like Celebrity Millennium has truly been "revolutionized." In 2019 the ship underwent a major revitalization while it was dry docked for 35 days. As a part of the Celebrity Revolution program, Celebrity Millennium underwent a multimillion dollar upgrade that included stateroom enhancements and a new design for the casino. 

There are some new boutiques onboard as well! I think you are going to enjoy all of the new additions to the ship. Celebrity Millennium is the first to undergo these upgrades, and seven more ships are expected to be revitalized this year. Which type of stateroom will you be staying in? 

[FJB]

On 2/1/2023 at 7:53 PM, 3Sisters said:

@FJB It looks like Celebrity Millennium has truly been "revolutionized." In 2019 the ship underwent a major revitalization while it was dry docked for 35 days. As a part of the Celebrity Revolution program, Celebrity Millennium underwent a multimillion dollar upgrade that included stateroom enhancements and a new design for the casino. 

There are some new boutiques onboard as well! I think you are going to enjoy all of the new additions to the ship. Celebrity Millennium is the first to undergo these upgrades, and seven more ships are expected to be revitalized this year. Which type of stateroom will you be staying in? 

What I don’t care for on the new and revolutionized ships is there is no longer access to open decks at the front of the ships unless you are staying in a suite. I don’t care for this new class system. 
 

Having said that, we are staying in Aquaclass cabins on this cruise, which allows us to dine in a restaurant specifically for Aquaclass guests - Blu. But I still can‘t watch sail away from the front of the ship on an open deck. 

[3Sisters]

@FJB You are so right! I honestly never realized that until you mentioned it. Many cruise lines are operating with this same logistic as well. I guess utilizing the amazing views for suite guests only makes it more exclusive. I'm sure these suites are much more costly and desired because of the immaculate scenery. Will your Aquaclass cabin have a view of the open deck?

Aquaclass cabins look amazing! As a part of this package, it looks like you will have access to the thermal suites. Have you ever been to the thermal suites in the past? I found you will also receive a fitness pass. Is the fitness pass different than a traditional gym opportunity onboard? Do you have the option to attend any of the onboard fitness classes while using it? I absolutely love using onboard gym facilities, but the cost of the fitness classes can be pretty costly!

[FJB]

12 hours ago, 3Sisters said:

@FJB You are so right! I honestly never realized that until you mentioned it. Many cruise lines are operating with this same logistic as well. I guess utilizing the amazing views for suite guests only makes it more exclusive. I'm sure these suites are much more costly and desired because of the immaculate scenery. Will your Aquaclass cabin have a view of the open deck?

Aquaclass cabins look amazing! As a part of this package, it looks like you will have access to the thermal suites. Have you ever been to the thermal suites in the past? I found you will also receive a fitness pass. Is the fitness pass different than a traditional gym opportunity onboard? Do you have the option to attend any of the onboard fitness classes while using it? I absolutely love using onboard gym facilities, but the cost of the fitness classes can be pretty costly!

We will not have access to the top deck at the front of the ship. We are not “fitness” people so not really sure about the spa amenities.  We booked this cabin for the dining experience and the inclusion of the alcohol, tips, and WiFi. It was the same as booking a regular veranda and buying those extras separately.