Because of the whole covered pandemic. Cruising will change until at least everyone is vaccinated
and the virus is under control. Now we know much more about what will change.
We've put together the 10 major changes to cruising in 2021 that you need to know.
Well hi there cruises. Where Ben and David. If you're not yet subscribed to our channel please
hit that subscribe button right now. So number one is boarding. The whole boarding process we'll see
some of the most obvious changes. It will be as contact-free as possible with all paperwork,
checks and things like tickets all being printed and done online before arriving at the port.
You'll also be required to complete a health declaration. This is to say that you are healthy
and that you have no symptoms or any other illnesses. You're going to also be required
to take a test either at the port at the expense of the cruise line or provide a certificate for
tests that you have paid for in the last 72 hours. You're also going to have your temperature taken
at some point during the process. And even maybe your oxygen levels. Staggered arrival times will
be given for boarding and for disembarkation to help maintain social distancing. These times
are going to be strict so don't turn up early or late. Or you could be delayed or even turned away
till later. So number two is all about masks. Masks are going to be required on the ship.
We know that most people don't want to hear about this but it's a basic way to stop the virus from
spreading. So how will masks work onboard and where will you be required to wear them?
You'll need to wear masks during the whole boarding process and the disembarkation process.
Masks will not be required in the comfort of your cabin. Most cruise lines will require masks at all
times whilst indoors - except when drinking or eating. This means that they will be required
in theatres and entertainment venues. Most cruise lines will also require masks outside when you're
unable to social distance. If you're able to keep your distance, or when you use the pool,
you will not be required to wear a mask. Number three is social distancing. I'm sure everybody
knows about this already but it's going to play a huge part in cruising. It's going to be achieved
by filling ships to lower capacity around 50 to 70 per cent. Venues, restaurants and public
areas will all be redesigned and reorganized so that social distancing can be maintained.
There'll be signs around and floor markers where lines normally form to ensure people stay apart.
On decks, sunbeds and sun chairs will be moved further apart and you're going to probably have
to book seats in entertainment venues and theatres to ensure that you have a seat.
Fewer people will be allowed in the pools and hot tubs at the same time. Number four, let's look at
the day-to-day life on the ship. Onboarding day expects the muster drill to have changed.
It will no longer be a full ship drill with crowds of people. Most cruise lines will now
require you to complete the emergency drill using an app, a mobile device or using the in-room tv
in your cabin. You'll then be required to visit your muster drill to check-in with a crew member.
Also expect to see daily temperature checks. Plus crew will be trained to look out for any symptoms
on board. You'll be required to notify the medical team if you have any symptoms immediately. You'll
notice extra signage around the ship and new procedures. We could also see things from
your cabin being removed such as kettles, coffee machine, brochures, the daily planner... Anything
that could transmit infections. Everything will be going electronic using the app on your phone.
Number five is shore excursions. There are two different ways that this could look.
If you're visiting a private island or resort you will probably be allowed off the ship as normal.
With social distancing and the use of masks in areas where social distancing is not possible.
There will also probably be staggered times to leave and re-board the ship. All staff and crew
on private islands or resorts will be regularly tested and wearing masks and PPE. But if you're
visiting a normal port this will probably be done in a ship bubble. So this means that you'll only
be allowed to get off the ship as part of a ship booked shore excursion. As you know these are
usually more pricey than doing it yourself.So please keep that in mind when booking a cruise.
You'll also be required to stay with the tour group at all times. Leaving the group could
mean that you are being denied boarding back. This has happened on a few cruises in Europe.
This video is brought to you by the ridge wallet. As you know we'll only advertise things
that we've tried ourselves and that we think are fantastic. And the ridge wallet is one of them.
It's a beautifully designed and manufactured wallet that comes with a lifetime warranty.
Something that you don't see every day nowadays. It doesn't fold awkwardly in your back pocket,
unlike my current wallet which is huge. Oh just look at David's. It looks like it was designed in
the 90s. The minimal front pocket wallet is designed to streamline what you carry every
single day. It holds up to 12 cards plus there's room for cash on the back and there are over 30
colours and styles including the very flashy and gorgeous carbon fibre one like this. The
ridge team is so confident that you'll like it that they'll let you test drive it for 45 days
and you can send it back for a full refund if you don't love it. It's great if you're looking
for the perfect gift this Christmas. Forty thousand five star reviewers can't be wrong.
It's a gift that they will love every day. Not more stuff that's just going to get unused and
chucked in the cupboard. Because we're working with the ridge we can give you 10% off today with
free worldwide shipping and returns. All you've got to do is go to the ridge.Com/benanddavid
and use the code ben and David or just click the link in the description section below. Number six
is about hygiene. One of the biggest ways to stop the spread of the virus is to regularly wash and
sanitize your hands. You'll notice that sanitisers and extra hand washing stations have been placed
around the ship. They'll also be signs directing you to regularly wash your hands and sanitize.
Washing your hands will be required before entering any dining venue. You'll be watched
by a crew member and directed back if you have not washed or sanitized your hands. We also recommend
taking your hand sanitiser so you can regularly keep your hands clean. Special new technology
will also be on board including UVC machines that use light to kill bacteria and viruses.
There's also fogging machines to clean cabins and venues. You'll also find much more enhanced
cleaning, especially in high traffic areas. Here you'll expect to see the crew constantly
cleaning. Ventilation onboard has been vastly improved. All major cruise lines have fitted new
hospital grid filters to provide cleaner and more efficient ventilation. The filters will
be fine enough to catch viruses and bacteria. Royal Caribbean's new air conditioning system
supplies 100 filtered air from outside to all indoor spaces. With the atmosphere changed up
to every six minutes in staterooms and every four minutes in public spaces. So much like flights.
Number seven is dining. One of the biggest changes will be when dining. Self-serve buffets will be a
thing of the past. The buffets will still be there but you'll have to point out what you
would like to eat and then a crew member will be there to plate the items for you. So there's
no more touching of tongues or sharing things that other people have touched like condiments
on tables. When it comes to table service you'll probably have to book a table for a certain time
and you're only going to be able to dine with those that you were travelling with. This is a
major blow to solo travellers as they will have to dine alone. Tables will be removed and reorganized
to provide more space and menus will be removed from tables. Where possible you will be using your
mobile device or electronic device to scan a QR code and order. Without having to touch anything.
Same goes for drinks at most bars. Menus will be replaced with QR codes where you need to order. So
technology is going to play a big part with many of the changes. Especially wearable technology.
Princess Cruises ocean medallion does it best. It can be found on all Princess Cruises ships from
2021 onwards. You're able to order drinks, food, anything else without a menu. It's all done from
the comfort of your mobile device. Your door even opens when you are next to it. It's a complete
touch-free operation. Some MSC and Royal Caribbean ships also offer similar wearable tech options to
keep it as touchless as possible. Number eight. Let's have a look at the onboard medical centres.
The onboard medical centre will have more crew doctors and nurses. As well as the latest
technology to find and treat. This will include the onboard rapid testing machines, ventilators
and new medication. There'll be detailed plans and quarantine protocols in place if the virus should
get on board. The crew in the medical centre will all be provided with the latest and best
training available. Number nine. Shorter cruises. Most cruises in 2021 from the Caribbean in the
USA will be under seven days. So expect shorter three-four seven-night itineraries. Most cruise
lines have already cancelled anything longer than this. Destinations will also be changeable so be
open to last-minute changes. Depending on local regulations things are changing so often so don't
set your heart onto one particular destination as this could change at the last minute. Cruise
lines will visit private islands and resorts when possible as the risk here of transmission
and catching the virus is so much lower as these are controlled environments without other people
there. All the staff have been tested with strict cleaning protocols and social distancing taking
place. Some cruises could also go nowhere. So round trips with just sea days and no port stops.
We're expecting to see more of these types of cruises in the UK as well as maybe even from us.
And finally number 10. More flexibility. Probably one of the most important changes as things
is constantly evolving and changing. Most cruise lines are allowing you to change or cancel cruises
till the last minute with no expensive change fees or cancellation fees. Remember most cruise lines
will not allow you to request a refund unless the cruise has been cancelled by them. Most instead
will give you a future cruise credit to use on a future booking. There'll also be time limits for
the use of these credits. But it does give you much more peace of mind when booking a cruise.
We recommend booking cruise packages with flights and everything included
so that if one part is changed or cancelled it will be easier for you to get your money back.
Find a good reputable cruise agent who knows what they are doing. So that's it for this episode. We
hope it helps settle your mind a little bit about what cruising is going to look like in 2021.
As you can see it's going to be super safe. I mean what different type of vacation can offer all the
things that we've just talked about? We think that cruising will be back better than ever before.
Yeah and once the vaccine has been administered we will see less and fewer restrictions on the
cruise taking place. So things are going to slowly get back to normal. So we'll see
masks being a thing of the past, social distancing being a thing of the past and fingers crossed it
will all be back to normal. We've all just got to remember it's only temporary. Please support
cruise in any way you can by booking a cruise for the future. If we want the industry to be there
just as big and as good as it is now, we all need to support them as much as possible. So thank you
so much for watching. We would appreciate it if you hit that subscribe button. It helps us out
and we've got so much fab content on the way. A big thank you to ridge wallet our sponsors. Please
click in the link in the description section below for 10% off one of these fab Christmas presents.
A big thank you to our patrons. If you'd like to find out more about patreon,
click the link in the description section below. The cruise captain of the week this
week is Michelle and Greg. So ahoy Michelle and Greg. That's it until next time, happy cruising!