This post is sponsored by Princess Cruises. All opinions are my own.
Princess Cruises is back and I couldn’t be happier!
Earlier this summer Princess Cruises announced their return to service after an 18 month pause! After an incredibly challenging year for the entire world I know I was so eager to get back to sailing the world with the Princess Cruises Family.
For both crew and customers, we welcomed the exciting announcement that meant that we would return to the MedallionClass Experience we all know and love. But I would be remissed if I didn’t share my very real concern with you all.
I wouldn’t be honest if I didn’t admit that I was nervous to sail again. I worked the frontlines as a nurse and my mother battled Covid in the ICU so I am very well aware of the real danger the virus presents.
What would cruising look and feel like in a Covid 19 world? How would it all work?
Over the last 18 months, Princess Cruises have been diligently monitoring the global situation and constantly providing updates affecting voyages. At times it seemed that we couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel but the Princess Cruises wasn’t going to return to service just for the sake of profit. The health and safety of both crew and travelers took precedent.
I was impressed with the regular updates on social media with many messages coming from Princess Cruises’ President Jan Swartz and other team members. The transparency of the real situation and the development of the new Cruise Health Protocols established a new standard of practices that ensures the health and safety all aboard any Princess ship.
I was invited to cruise to Alaska this past summer aboard Majestic Princess and although I was excited I was nervous of the unknown.
But I really appreciated the great lengths that were taken to ensure that not only me and those in my group but all travelers could cruise with confidence.
Although things were different which I expected I honestly didn’t realize how the new protocols truly gave me a sense of peace and allowed me to enjoy the cruise without constantly worrying about my safety.
So I’m here to share with you my experience and everything you need to know so when you book your next cruise with Princess you can do so confidently.
Check Out Princess Cruises – Alaska 7-Day Voyage of the Glaciers (Northbound) – Interior from $899* per person. BOOK TODAY, TO SAIL LATER!
Before embarking I had to provide proof of vaccination which required being fully vaccinated 2 weeks prior to the sail date. I also had to provide a negative covid test within 48 hours of the sail date.
You’re also required to fill out an online health questionnaire 24 hours prior to embarking. If anyone shows symptoms or is identified as high risk is referred to additional screen ing prior to boarding. Secondary screening and health checks throughout the cruise is will be done when necessary. I was impressed also with the ability to do contact tracing if anyone were to test positive on board.
Because CDC recommendations may change, the Princess’ Health Care Protocols are subject to change due to global conditions and circumstances with the virus. It’s good to regularly check their site for updates which they do regularly.
Wearing a mask while on board was an obvious and biggest change to sailing culture but so easy to adopt. Wearing a mask and physical distancing is required in elevators (no more than 6 people at a time), shared spaces like shops, waiting in line for dining and while embarking and disembarking at the terminal.
It was so easy to follow and everyone followed this requirement. I never saw any issues with guests wearing masks which made me feel like the cruise was filled with like minded people that wanted the same thing as me: to have a great time but also be safe. I appreciated everyone being respectful of this.
Hand washing and sanitizing stations were located at the entrances of venues and high trafficked areas all dining areas. It’s required to wash or sanitize your hands prior to entering any dining area and a helpful Princess Crew member stands by to monitor the flow of traffic and offer gentle reminders when necessary.
I absolutely loved this and appreciated the great lengths that the crew went to maintain safety. The cleaning crew also was on it, honey! Any time guests finished dining, the table was bussed, cleaned and sanitized within seconds. It was really impressive to see.
There is also no self serving while board which I feel is such a game changer and honestly think should be standard practice. This service is so nice and appreciated especially for any of you that are like me and totally wigged out by buffets in general.
Not only does it maintains safety but prevents unnecessary food waste.
I regularly saw cleaning crews wiping down tables and chairs in public areas too. Our staterooms were also regularly cleaned using disinfectant proven to quickly kill the coronavirus. It was so refreshing to come back from a day at port to our stateroom sparkling and smelling so clean.
Check Out Princess Cruises – Alaska 7-Day Voyage of the Glaciers (Northbound) – Interior from $899* per person. BOOK TODAY, TO SAIL LATER!
I can’t tell you enough how grateful I was to experience this Alaskan cruise with Princess. They went over and beyond to make all of their guests feel and be safe and I can’t wait to cruise again. Did you know Princess Cruises is debuting a new Medallion Class ship in just a couple of weeks, Enchanted Princess?! The return to cruising is cause for celebrating and I can’t wait to see how Princess Cruises continues to be innovators not only in technology but safety.
