Return to Cruising!

Last week I had the opportunity to sail on a simulation Royal Caribbean Cruise! The cruise was just a test cruise so we boarded in Miami, Florida and then sailed to Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day Coco Cay for a quick 2 night cruise!

I LOVE sailing the seas! Cruising is my favorite kind of vacation! I love to relax and explore a beautiful cruise ship while being pampered on board and just watch the ocean from my balcony until we port at new destinations to explore!

This cruise, while it was thoroughly relaxing, was also about testing safety procedures as the cruise industry begins to sail again!

Royal did a fantastic job of making me feel safe! Before I could board the ship, I was asked to use hand sanitizer. When I stopped at to get my Starbucks Ice Tea, I was asked to use the hand sanitizer before I could even order. When I asked a cast member a question about my internet VOOM package, I was asked to use hand sanitizer. As you can tell....they were big on the sanitizer....and let me say, it wasn't a suggestion we use it, we needed to use it to proceede.

As for dining, what protocols were in place? When I entered Windjammer, the buffet dining area, I was asked to wash my hands. Once I washed my hands I was greeted by someone who offered me a place and silverware vs me grabbing a plate and silverware from the stack. I then went around to the various buffet stations and someone would serve me what I was wanting. Next up...condiments...ketchup, salt, etc....was given to you. Even the drinks were made for you. All of this done to limit the number of people touching common areas. When I got an ice cream cone as a snack on board the ship, which in the past I just walked up and made myself an ice cream cone, but this time I was asked to wash my hands first and then someone made the cone for me. Even on Perfect Day Coco Cay, before I ate lunch I was asked to wash my hands and then was greeted by staff that served me similar to onboard. Like the hand sanitizer, hand washing wasn't an option, to enter the dining area, I needed to first wash my hands.

There was also signage on elevators to limit the number of people in the elevator. Theaters and shows also had socially distanced seating, with most having every other row being used.

Masks were also required in all indoor areas. In outdoor areas, masks were optional.

Overall, I felt the safety measures Royal Caribbean had put in place were all positive changes in helping reduce the spread of all germs, not just Covid-19 and allowed me to have a fun, relaxing, and safe cruise! I look forward to my next cruise!

Stay tuned to my travel pages...I'll be sharing more about my experience on board Royal Caribbean's Symphony of the Seas and Perfect Day Coco Cay!

Want to know more about my simulation cruise or just about cruising in general, contact myself or any of our Fairy Tale Getaway agents to access our FREE concierge planning services! We can help plan a cruise or any other getaway!

Written by: Tiffany Tarter, Owner and Lead agent of Fairy Tale Getaways.