Gears

Celebrity Equinox - Feb 18, 2023 Grand Cayman - ABC Islands Will be our second cruise on Celebrity.

The cruise fare for Celebrity is 'drinks included' as their classic package. There are no 'x' drinks per day based on your loyalty tier level anymore, and no happy hour. Every hour is happy hour.

We were on the Silhouette. It had a refurb in early 2021(?).

If you're not looking for water slides, rock wall climbing, sports court, flowriders, merry-go-rounds or cup cake making classes...you will likely stick with Celebrity as your first choice. That's just our opinion after our first Celebrity cruise and sailing on RCL for around 18ish or so years. The classic drink package is included with your cruise fare. Do yourself a favor and upgrade to the premium package, totally worth it.

We were on it three weeks ago for a 10 night. Great ship and crew. The Silhouette was refurbed in early 2020 and there were only a few sailings before Covid all hell breaking loose so it's in great shape. No hesitation on getting back on the Silhouette.

OK…here’s the skinny on using Switch Health antigen telehealth testing to come back to Canada. + Overall it worked out OK + You will need the streaming Internet service, no question. It won’t work otherwise. The service in your stateroom will need to be solid. + Doing the schnozzle swab with the ship rolling left and right was an…adventure. + In general, if the streaming Internet service on your ship is iffy or inconsistent it may NOT work for you. Your mileage may vary. Would NOT recommended this route if you are on a ship with older Internet facilities and support. Hope this helps.

The flight to the US so far. Switch Health is mentioned on the CBSA site as a provider of tests and partnered with Air Canada (sorry...not Delta! ) 500 Areoplan points for each kit purchased (the $79 + HST includes shipping via Purolator). AC accepted the tests in online submission for US entry (complete with green 'accepted' moniker) and they are the organization doing the tests on-site at Pearson Airport.

@Lovetocruise2002 Switch Health done no problem for the way down complete with acceptance for flight online check-in. Each kit is currently $79 ea (still I think) and comes with two tests that can cover two people. No trip to SDM required. Will see how it works for the return leg in 12 days... Oh...couldn't get it to work on an iPad. Need to use Safari for an iPhone or Chrome for an Android phone.

I got an extra kit to take on our Celebrity cruise which leaves on Friday next week. I will be doing this exercise on March 6th...the 'day before' our flight back. If nobody else gets this done before me, I will have an answer for you on or about March 7th.

Basically all 'refill' stations and similar have been shut/removed (we asked on a cruise in Feb 2020 for the same reasons you are asking). This was done before Covid due to measures to limit norovirus transmission.

Well...this is confusing isn't it. It reads that the Switch Health test would be OK...if you bought it in Canada and it's the Switch Health test (BTW, Air Canada partners with Switch Health in case you weren't aware) it should be good. Now...about the 'day before' part...??

Generally speaking, taking your own luggage has been reserved for those 'walking off' in the first group. The reason is so that there are not people trying to manage their luggage in elevators and stairs...becomes a space and safety hazard. Can you imagine 3000+ people struggling with their luggage around the ship, in the buffet and down the gangway? Also, you will find in many terminals that unless you have a hand free to hold a hand railing on an escalator, they will make you take the elevator. That...can be a long wait.

We sail on Celebrity Silhouette on February 25th. Of course we are watching the changes in protocols and requirements. Sailings embarking February 12th and after...masks only required in the Theatre or Casino. YYYYEAAAAHHHH!!! This was published yesterday for US embarkations: ++++++++++ Effective for all sailings departing February 12, 2022 forward, masks will not be required onboard for vaccinated guests unless attending activities in the Theatre or Casino. Masks will continue to be required for unvaccinated guests, under 12 years old, at all times indoors except while eating or drinking. Masks are not required in ports of call unless required by local governments. ++++++++++ Link: https://www.celebritycruises.com/content/dam/celebrity/pdf/celebrity-healthy-at-sea-protocols.pdf

I definitely agree with @Lovetocruise2002. You will cherish the experience and memories...and have a distaste for any regret. Follow the rules, stay cautious and mindful of your surroundings. One thing we won't do...is lock ourselves in the basement and miss out on life's experiences. That's just us, others, cruisers and non-cruisers, will see it different and your mileage may vary. We did a cruise at the end of November, and we leave for another in three weeks, no hesitations. But...we have also done the drive thing. A number of years ago we drove from Ontario to Baltimore to get on the Enchantment. The drive down didn't seem like a big deal, but the drive back was PAINFUL (just two of us). It just seemed to take forever and kind of put a damper on the whole vacation. In the end, we wouldn't do it again.

Here's the announcement... https://www.royalcaribbean.com/cruise-ships/itinerary-updates