Why Now is the Safest Time to go on a Cruise on the Brand New Celebrity Apex
Fewer industries were impacted more by the Covid-19 pandemic than the cruise industry. With headline, after headline, coming out of sick passengers, cruise lines were forced to halt, reevaluate, and create a new, safer, experience for people. After experiencing the brand new Celebrity Cruise Apex ship, I can tell you firsthand, there is no better time than now to book your next cruise - worry free.
As someone who’s immunocompromised, I (like many of you) was terrified at the idea of going on a cruise ship after these past 18 months. And then I began to learn about the MANY protocols Celebrity Cruises has put in place to ensure passenger health and safety. So if you too are hesitant about hopping back onto a cruise ship, ease you mind and read on.
PROTOCOLS BEFORE YOU BOARD
The first thing that eased my mind before I hopped on the Celebrity Apex ship post-pandemic (mid-pandemic?) was the amount of precautions and protocols put into place before we even boarded the ship. The two biggest being:
EVERY passenger was required to be vaccinated at least 14 days prior to boarding. This ensured that we didn’t have to worry about anyone either spreading Covid-19 and/or putting someone at risk who hasn’t been vaccinated yet. And for anyone saying that this is a deal breaker for them - vaccinations, when it comes to travel, is nothing new. To enter most countries in Africa, at least one or two shots are required. It’s a small price to pay for the ability to travel again.
A “Negative” rapid test is required within 48 hours of boarding the ship. This one actually surprised me so much that I didn’t realize I needed it and ended up taking a rapid test after landing at Fort Lauderdale Airport. Most destinations and/or events require one or the other but I really appreciated this extra step to provide the highest guarantee of a safe and healthy trip.
Still shot from a Covid Vaccination campaign I did for the state of Colorado
WHAT’S IT LIKE ON THE SHIP?
Well, luxury aside (for the ships first class experience check out this blog), let’s talk safety features. The Celebrity Apex ship has many new features to ensure a healthy trip.
Celebrity Cruises has an AMAZING app that helps to keep track of everything going on on board in paperless way. You can even check in and complete all of the pre-boarding health and safety questionnaires before you get to the port.
Touch-Free boarding, room keys, and more. The entire boarding pass was touch free. At the port, we showed our boarding passes, vaccination cards, and negative test results all on the app or on our phone. Once we got through this process, we could remove our masks and enjoy the fully vaccinated ship. Our room keys were outside of our rooms in sealed envelopes. Every single doorway on the ship was hands free and could be opened either by movement or our room keys. This made for a completely touch-free experience.
On-board Covid testing. If you’re on a Celebrity Cruise that disembarks or your final destination is in a place that requires a recent Covid test, the Apex offers on-board rapid testing daily!
Clean air on board. Celebrity Cruises have taken an extra step to ensure that their heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems are supply 100% fresh, filtered, air with little to no chance of air transmitting between enclosed spaces.
Limited Capacity. At the time of this publication, all Celebrity Cruise ships are limiting capacity on board. This means more social distancing and also more luxury!
IF you contract Covid-19 on a Celebrity Cruise. If you get off to explore a destination, they will keep track of any contact tracing in the rare chance that you come back to the ship and test positive. If you test positive, you will be quarantined in one of their incredible state rooms until they can dock at a port (Not a bad way to quarantine!) Once at port, Celebrity Cruises will charter a PRIVATE JET to get you home! I mean talk about above and beyond!
Being on board the Celebrity Apex felt like its own quarantine bubble where you could be surrounded by other travelers without a Covid care in the world. By the time you board the ship, you’ve been so ensured that your health and safety is their top priority that your top priority can be simply enjoying your vacation - mask free. If you have any doubts that now is the best time to try out a Celebrity Cruise check out their website to learn all about the massive amount of Covid protocols they’re taking.
Interested in seeing more? Check out the full video tour of the Celebrity Apex Ship below.