LBTravels

6 hours ago, Cruiser4Life said:

We sailed serenade back in August to Alaska and can confirm they had not been let off the ship… one of the things they told us they missed the most was being able to get a fresh cooked meal that was not onboard the ship. We felt awful for them so at the port stops, we brought a special few crew members a hot meal to go from wherever we ate right before re-boarding. They were stunned and appreciative!  

You were able to bring cooked food back onboard?!?!? We were not allowed to do that on the Anthem 12/31 sailing

The Anthem crew I spoke with reported the same thing locked on the ship since October. I asked my stateroom attendant if I can get him anything and after refusing 5xs, he said socks and chocolate. I gifted him with both and additional tip, the crew is not allowed to hangout with each other. So, they basically are working 10 hrs a day, eat then go to their cabin - rough life. On my sailing I was told two cabins/4 people on my deck confirmed COVID were quarantined day 3 of 9 day cruise.

On Anthem this week(12/31 sailing), water in cans. Preordered water for the cabin and they sent a letter about switching from bottles to cans along with a credit for the price difference.

On the Anthem it was something to see except for the Costa Deliziosa squeezing in next to us  

On Anthem of the Seas now, St. Thomas refused us permission to dock last night due to 44 COVID/quarantined crew members. Captain took us to our next port St. Maarten and was able to add a new port St. Kitts for tomorrow. 12/31 Anthem of the Seas sailing was supposed to have 3 ports of call San Juan PR, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Before we set sail Puerto Rico changed their rules and mandated that all visitors have a negative COVID test 24hrs before arrival, we received notification 2 days before sailing that San Juan would not be a port of call anymore. Out of the 3 planned port of calls we have so far only been to one. Overall the cruise is going really well, service is excellent and guest services has been really good with changes to the tours at the port of calls especially with arriving at St Maarten a full day earlier then planned and adding a completely different island to our itinerary.

Like others have said, flexibility is key when cruising especially now.

Very Excited!  12/31/21 - Anthem of the Seas