The :Latest Scoop From Celebrity Cruises

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The Latest Scoop From Celebrity Cruises!  

So much excitement as more information is being released on what would be required of passengers and what they can expect when they sail on Celebrity from St. Maarten, and possibily in the future, other sailings.

Today we listened to a webinar provided to Celebrity's travel partners.  

What did we learn?

Starting Thursday, we can book summer cruise vacations on Celebrity Cruises, onboard the newly "revoluntionized" (new and improved) Celebrity Millenium.  The Millenium will be offering 7-night sailings from the Caribbean island of St. Maarten to other island destinations located in the southern Caribbean.  This is exciting because normally cruises that leave from the U.S. to these destinations require a minimum of 10 (ten) days because of the distance that would need to be covered.    These sailings are scheduled to resume on June 5, 2021.

-   All guests 18 years of age and over are required to show proof that they have received  a Covid-19 vaccine.   How that will be documented is yet to be determined.

-  All guests 17 years of age boarding must show proof of a negative PCR Covid-19 test that was administered within 5 days of rntering St. Maarten for sailing.  This test is where the saliva of the person is used to determine whether they are positive or negative.  These tests can take hours to give a result.  These tests will be the responsibility of the guest(s).

- All guests will be administered a Antigen Covid-19 test prior to boarding the ship initially and once again at the end of the cruise. This is the test where a cotton swab is pushed up the nose.  The results are almost instant.   These tests will be administered free of charge to all passengers so that they meet the return requirements to their country or home of residence.

- People wishing to leave the ship at their port of call may do so freely at their discretion.  Just like they were able prior to the pandemic.  Guests leaving the ship without an excursion must be aware of the local protocols that are being enforced.  IE:  Masks must be worn and where, etc.).  It will be the responsibility of the passenger to make sure that know and understand the protocols of the place they are visiting prior to leaving the ship and to assume the risks  that ignorance or misinfromation may cause .

- Excursions through the cruise line will be available for those who wish to maintain a safe "bubble".  

- The first sailing(s) will sail with a reduced passenger capacity beginning at or under 40% full capacity.  If all sailings go smoothly, in time the capacity levels will increase my small increments.

- Prices for airfare to St. Maarten have increased significantly with Celebrity's announcement that they will sail from there.  Celebrity has secured seats at lower rates from four major airport hubs.  These are Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas (DFW); Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT); New York, New York (JFK), and Miami, Florida (MIA).  

- Onboard protocols, such as mask wearing on board the ship, etc., are yet to be determined.

- All crew members must be vaccinated.

With time, it is expected that other summer sailings will be announced with Celebrity and other cruise lines.  Copying many of the requirements as stated above.  However, some may have their own.  It is important that you work with a travel professional who keeps abreast of these requirements and changes to make for as safe, hassle-free a vacation as possible.

Let's get you on board!  Please contact us or go through our website.to book!  You will be glad, and you will receive more insight and ways to better your experience.

Happy and Safe Travels Ahead!

 

Source:  SEAS TODAY with DONDRA, Webinar, March 23, 2021, 4:15 p.m. EST