PPPJJ-GCVAB

A few questions answered by a TUI passenger: 
 
‼️Hi again! Today I read through your questions about our recent cruise onboard TUI Cruises - Mein Schiff 6! I will start to provide answers to 9 questions:‼️
What did we have to do before the cruise?
- informed about travel cancellation and health insurance with corona protection
- reserved excursion
- reserved seats on the plane
- reserved on-board entertainment
- completed the Greece entry form for the QR code
- filled out the Helios Hospital data protection 
form and made an appointment for the test
- filled out the TUI Cruises health questionnaires before driving to Munich Airport
Did you have to do a COVID-19 test? ??
TUI Cruises is requiring that all passengers test negative for COVID-19 before boarding. The test could be taken at one of 86 Helios Hospital locations in Germany. The test's cost was included in the cruise fare. We had to drive 1,5 hours to the next Helios Hospital. They did a nose and throat swab test. Our results were sent directly to TUI Cruises. 
How was the flight?✈️?
To get to the cruise ship was only possible with a chartered flight by TUIfly from 6 German airports (Berlin, Hamburg, Hannover, Dusseldorf, Munich, Frankfurt). No individual arrivals. No public flights! Only access to the plane with negative COVID-19 Test.
How was the boarding procedure??
At the check-in counter of TUIfly we had to show the TUI Cruises health questionnaires and the valid QR Code for entry to Greece (received at 11pm the day before). After arriving at Crete we had to show the QR Code to the Greek authorities at the airport. Randomly other flight passengers were chosen for another nose and throat swab test - but not us. We got our bags and were then shown to the TUI Cruises Bus and driven to the cruise ship. To decrease the amount of people inside the cruise terminal we had to wait for ~30minutes inside the bus, until we were allowed to proceed to the cruise terminal. First we had to present our health questionnaires form, then we got our temperature measured with a digital thermal imaging camera. After the security check we went directly to one of the check-in counters, which were fitted with plexiglass screens. We had to show our set sail pass and passports through the plexiglass screen. The employee made a picture of our passports, then we were allowed to take shortly off our mask for our „ship picture“. Afterwards we could walk straight to the ships gangway, where we had to show our set sail pass for entry and for a short moment our face without mask. 
How was the Muster Drill?
Onboard we went straight to our stateroom, where our sea pass cards were in a sealed envelope at the door. We put our hand luggage inside the stateroom and walked straight to Deck 5, where the muster drill took place. We were shown to our designated area. By that time we were the only ones there. So the two employees made a „private muster drill“ just for us. We could ask questions and were finished within 5 minutes.
How many people were onboard?
TUI Cruises operates their ships at just 60% of their regular capacity. Mein Schiff 6 regular capacity is 2534 passengers - on our cruise we were in total 922 passengers. TUI cruises canceled all their cruises until end of October - the Greek Isles cruise was released on August 13 with the new regulations. TUI is only selling balcony staterooms and suites at the moment! No inside or window cabins are sold! 
Did you have to wear masks??
Yes! All guests and crew members are required to practice social distance of at least 1.5 meters in the public areas of the ship. Wherever this distance cannot be maintained without hesitation, wearing a proper mouth and nose mask (masks NOT allowed you will find on the picture) was compulsory. This applied to elevators, stairwells and cabin corridors, for example. Whenever we were talking to crew (guest services, bars, towel station) - we wore masks. Also on the Pool Deck, when we couldn’t keep the social distance - we wore masks. As soon as we sat on our sun lounger/chair -  we didn’t have to wear a mask. At the restaurants we wore a mask until we sat down at the table. When we stood up to get more food - we wore a mask! By arrival at our stateroom we found 5 masks per person on the bed - in a sealed package. You could get more from housekeeping.
How many people were inside the elevators?
Inside the elevators were allowed 4 people!
On the floor of the elevator were marked spaces, where one was allowed to stand. If the elevator was full, we had to wait for another one. Thankfully everyone respected these rules! Before the elevators were placed hand sanitizer - so after touching buttons, we could easily sanitize our hands before and after our elevator ride.
Did you get a temperature check???
Everyone had to have their temperature measured with a digital thermal imaging camera. This was repeated every morning between 9-12 inside the disco (which was closed anyways). We had to sanitize our hands and then walk in front of the camera. It took less than 2 minutes. 
I am aware that there are many many more questions, which I will happily answer tomorrow!????
https://youtu.be/3lIxj6iFH68

Hello Folks,
I have not been very active due to many crazy things going on in my life (all good stuff) and our country (not so much).  I really had some slight hope that our cruises that were to start on 11/19 were gonna happen.  This will be our 1st year not on a RCCL ship for thanksgiving in Seven years!!!  ?I
Now it's onto December!   I hope that our B2B on Oasis that leaves 12/20 happens.  
I don't know how these cruise companies are gonna survive!!

Better be!! That’s my RLS sailing. Going to hit a whole new low if I lose that one! ?

@Matt blogged about this earlier today. 
https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/2020/10/06/spotted-navigator-of-the-seas-listed-portmiami-schedule-possible-test-sailings

Thanks....didn't see it so wanted to share...No Biggie.

Thanks....didn't see it so wanted to share...No Biggie.

Just saw the news. ? I’m not sailing until May but I feel for all of you with Holiday cruises. 

Personally I believe November sailings were a “no go” in September based on logistics alone. 2020 goes up in smoke. Hopefully by Summer 2021 we will be sailing again. 

Guess we will have to "Stay Tuned"...just a matter of time for RCG to join in with their own cancellations ?.   Heartbreaking!!!!

The National Hockey League is posting about cruise ships?  Slow off season I guess...

There's another post in the News and Rumors section with this same info.  So sad....because seems when one cruise line makes changes...the others follow suit.  Just a matter of time! ?

November isn't looking good, honestly.
 

I really don't think that even December will happen at this point!! RCG should be making an announcement soon as history has shown.

Happy Birthday!!  I turn 64 this Friday...not feeling too old yet...except maybe when my 5 grandkids leave after having done their schoolwork here all day (I just learned new math which was a real challenge!!!  ?)  I've got a second grader...third grader...fifth grader...sixth grader...and seventh grader. 
Can you see why I want to get back to cruising?????

Where else can you do a helium balloon ride on a Caribbean island?  Go for it.
 

Itś hit and miss, seems to be tethered any time there is any wind. Pretty neat but does get canceled a lot.
 

Adult daughter and I did it and really enjoyed it.  Now my two younger kids want to do it so I have it booked for our next family cruise.  If it isn't busy they stay up a little longer.  I would do it one or two times but not a third.

Well, I finally called the C&A department at Royal looking for updated info concerning my Nov 1st Harmony cruise.  It is pretty much what @Matt has written about - No One Knows.  While I have received my "Guest Ticket Book" pdf file, Royal has not yet published any documents describing the requirements or rules for me to follow on my sailing.  In addition, they cannot provide any information on port status or my itinerary.  Their best advice is to wait to see what happens.  I hope they publish some guidelines and/or make some sort of announcement soon... 

I'm with @Floski.  Perk UP PEOPLE !
I think we will be sailing by early 2021.  The right palms are being greased and egos stroked.  I think the wheels are going to start turning very soon.

this is exactly why I haven't cancelled my November trip. I have almost no hope of it going; but if it does and I'm not on it for my first 7 night cruise and in a suite I will feel regret no matter what Caribbean Island I may end up on in place of the trip. 

Dang if y'all ain't as uplifting as a funeral on Christmas day.
 
#wesailin

I'm not feeling hopeful about February, but will continue as if it were sailing. If Royal cancels, I wont be too surprised. If I cancel and it does sail, then I will have some major FOMO and will be mad at myself for cancelling. 

Happy Birthday!!  I turn 64 this Friday...not feeling too old yet...except maybe when my 5 grandkids leave after having done their schoolwork here all day (I just learned new math which was a real challenge!!!  ?)  I've got a second grader...third grader...fifth grader...sixth grader...and seventh grader. 
Can you see why I want to get back to cruising?????

YUMMMMM those look amazing!!  I have tried similar looking pastries from a Portuguese bakery in Fall River, MA...didn't want to stop eating them!

I'm sitting on the edge of my seat....? 
How badly I want to hear "Clear Sailing Ahead...CRUISING IS BACK"!!!!!!