About a year ago, my farmer found a nice cruise for us that was to set sail in early February 2022. We thought for sure that by that time, we would be safe to cruise and enjoy “the life” again.
Author Paula Johnson and her farmer, Curt.
By last fall, we were beginning to wonder if the cruise would happen or even be a good idea. The good news about it is that we now book our cruises through a company called Vacations To Go which offers discounted booking for cruises and tours.
As cruise lines and tour companies reach a certain point in their bookings, they release a number of availabilities to Vacations To Go for discount sales. When we find something we like, we call and get a “concierge” to help us through the booking and all the necessary steps up to sailing.
As our time got closer and closer to even leaving for Florida, we were still concerned about the wisdom of sailing with continued virus outbreaks. Our concierge, Chachi, was extremely understanding and gave a host of workable options. Celebrity Cruises had many health requirements in order to board, and was posting many options that would help passengers meet them.
In order to board, each passenger needed proof of the double vaccinations AND a laboratory certified negative test result administered 48 hours prior to departure. Once I got over my hyperventilation concerning the testing issue (how to even get such a test and hope for a result before boarding), the event fell into place.
One of the wonderful options Celebrity suggested was using Scarlet. This is a division of BioReference Laboratories that with a convenient appointment time, sends a certified technician to your home (hotel, etc.) or office, conducts the test (safe and unobtrusive), delivers the specimen to the lab which then sends you the results (either text or email).
This wasn’t free and might have been covered by insurance, but I was under enough stress and gladly paid the very reasonable (I thought) amount.
Once on board, everyone was required to wear a mask in public spaces unless actively eating or drinking. We both now felt that we’re safer on this ship that at the grocery store.
Our beautiful cruise ship, the Celebrity Reflection, was built to hold about 3500 passengers, but under these restrictions, only carried about 1200. No service, food or detail was omitted. We enjoyed every luxury as usual, all specialty restaurants, entertainment, cafés, bars, pools, spa, etc. were open and outstanding.
This ship had gone for over 600 days without sailing, and they did all they could to make this trip special for everyone in every way. Best cruise ever, and likely to never have such a luxury again.
Our port-of-calls were at the U.S. Virgin Islands. One of these islands that I had not been to before was St. Croix. I was delighted to see that it was still unspoiled. It much reminded me of a trip I took in the early ‘80s to Cozumel. However, Cozumel today has no similarity. The commercialism has taken over the island, and today’s downtown Cozumel bears no resemblance at all to yesteryear’s.
Our stateroom included a balcony (veranda in ship language). This makes the cruise for me. It adds personal space for me to read and have a cocktail while my farmer roams, goes to the casino or watches TV.
Yes, Abby, this trip was almost like the attention you and Arnie used to get on those smaller ships. We felt like royalty, almost on our own ship. No fighting or waiting a long time for an elevator, easy dining seated at a window, staff nearly fawning over passengers, and more.
The farmer lost his hearing aid which I reported to Guest Services. Within 2 hours, we got a call that a staff member found and returned it. Our sommelier at dinner recognized me one day on deck with my lunch and offered to help because I had been waiting over 25 minutes for my beverage.
This cruise was less about seeing new places and more about relaxing and enjoying tropical weather and their laid-back customs. How fabulous to have some sense of normalcy restored.
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