While health and safety have always been key factors on the leading cruise lines, like elsewhere in the world there are some noticeable changes brought about by the pandemic, all of them very practical and beneficial.
As the world continues to change such companies will continue to adapt, but here are some of the initial changes we noticed:
Health: The whole cruise industry is even more health conscious, with health and well being an extra priority onboard.
As the world continues to change such companies will continue to adapt, but here are some of the initial changes we noticed:
Health: The whole cruise industry is even more health conscious, with health and well being an extra priority onboard.
- Free face masks are offered as you board, and recommended when in enclosed areas, such as taking tenders to and from shore.
- Staff are constantly cleaning surfaces like handrails and lifts.
- Hand sanitisers are strategically placed everywhere (and constantly refilled, unlike most onshore venues).
- “Washy washy” - staff and hand sanitisers are located at the entrance to all dining areas, with entrance through a hand-wash area being mandatory for the main self-serve food area.
- Travellers are reminded about the basic steps to avoid transmitting any infections.
- Even the safety protocols have changed - instead of everyone crowding the decks near the tenders/lifeboats, safety advice is acknowledged online before you board, with only a brief check-in with crew on boarding.
- While it was optional, many of the crew wore face masks.
- I may not have noticed previously, but there seemed to be more outdoor activities and relaxation lounges.
Staff: Like the hospitality industry on shore, the cruise industry lost tens of thousands of experienced staff and we noticed a minor difference between those who had been onboard for years and those who were newer.
Their skill sets and endeavour to please everyone were still first class.
Long term cruise staff were very comfortable engaging with passengers, almost instinctively knowing when some friendly banter and joking is appropriate.
However, initially newer staff sometimes seemed a little hesitant to engage in the same way, in case they offended.
That is readily understandable and, as the cruise progressed, they quickly relaxed and overall were excellent.
Atmosphere: The overall atmosphere in all previous cruises was usually casual with some scheduled "formal nights" for dinner. Ladies would appear in long gowns and cocktail attire, many men would come compete with dinner suits and bow ties and, at a minimum, neckties were mandatory.
That has changed significantly in these early cruises. While casual remains the main style, formal nights are now replaced by “dress to impress” dinners. It's great, as the women still dress up and the men look casual smart.
Whether the formal nights return will be anyone’s guess, but for now the dinner suits can stay home if you prefer!
Their skill sets and endeavour to please everyone were still first class.
Long term cruise staff were very comfortable engaging with passengers, almost instinctively knowing when some friendly banter and joking is appropriate.
However, initially newer staff sometimes seemed a little hesitant to engage in the same way, in case they offended.
That is readily understandable and, as the cruise progressed, they quickly relaxed and overall were excellent.
Atmosphere: The overall atmosphere in all previous cruises was usually casual with some scheduled "formal nights" for dinner. Ladies would appear in long gowns and cocktail attire, many men would come compete with dinner suits and bow ties and, at a minimum, neckties were mandatory.
That has changed significantly in these early cruises. While casual remains the main style, formal nights are now replaced by “dress to impress” dinners. It's great, as the women still dress up and the men look casual smart.
Whether the formal nights return will be anyone’s guess, but for now the dinner suits can stay home if you prefer!
Entertainment: While entertainers on cruise lines are usually excellent, on both these cruises they were outstanding.
The permanent shows like "Starwater" (above), "Sequins and Feathers" and "Sonic Odyssey" were all brilliant and spectacular - as good, if not better, than you will find at major land venues anywhere in the world.
In addition, the standard of the one-cruise live performances matched anything you would find in most concert halls or entertainment venues.
Whether it was the big theatre shows by comedians, magicians or live bands (see our story on Jason Singh's "Heaven's Greatest Hits"), or the single entertainers spread across the ship at the pools, pubs, clubs and even coffee shops , they were highly entertaining.
Budget: In other good news for those who are particularly budget-conscious, it appears that many cruise offerings are cheaper as the industry encourages a return to full capacity.
Not sure how long such bargains will last, so perhaps now is the best time to “jump aboard” so to speak and organise your next cruise.
Based on our experience, the return to cruising is safer, healthier, more exciting and filled with more fun activities and entertainment than ever before.
What more could you ask for?
Discover why Cruising is the Best Value Holiday.
The permanent shows like "Starwater" (above), "Sequins and Feathers" and "Sonic Odyssey" were all brilliant and spectacular - as good, if not better, than you will find at major land venues anywhere in the world.
In addition, the standard of the one-cruise live performances matched anything you would find in most concert halls or entertainment venues.
Whether it was the big theatre shows by comedians, magicians or live bands (see our story on Jason Singh's "Heaven's Greatest Hits"), or the single entertainers spread across the ship at the pools, pubs, clubs and even coffee shops , they were highly entertaining.
Budget: In other good news for those who are particularly budget-conscious, it appears that many cruise offerings are cheaper as the industry encourages a return to full capacity.
Not sure how long such bargains will last, so perhaps now is the best time to “jump aboard” so to speak and organise your next cruise.
Based on our experience, the return to cruising is safer, healthier, more exciting and filled with more fun activities and entertainment than ever before.
What more could you ask for?
Discover why Cruising is the Best Value Holiday.