It is time to get back to fun with Carnival Cruise Line. After 18 months of not being able to sail, Carnival is back to fun. My son, Colin, and I went on a 4-night Carnival Cruise on the Carnival Elation. We visited Nassau, Bahama’s and Princess Cays. There are some changes to the way we travel now, but a whole lot of fun remains. So if you are ready to get back out on the high seas, keep reading to find out what to expect.
Boarding Requirements
We had to have our Covid-19 vaccination completed two weeks before our sail date and a negative Covid-19 test 48 hours before sailing on Carnival Cruise Line. I called local offices that offered Covid-19 rapid testing and asked if they had tests available and explained that my son and I would need to come in the day before we traveled. I wanted to ensure there was no shortage of tests when we needed one. I feared that we would not be able to find a rapid test on the day of testing. I like being prepared and wanted to calm my anxieties about having a swap run up my nose.
We had to complete a questionnaire 24 hours before sailing to screen for any Covid-19 symptoms. They were basic questions about your health. the questionnaire was sent by email. It was quick and straightforward.
I printed our boarding passes, flight information, and luggage tags from an email from Carnival Cruise Line, gathered our passports and ensured we had our driver’s licenses.
We had a designated time to arrive at the terminal. We arrived early and were allowed to board early. We had to present our negative Covid-19 test before checking in. Check-in was a breeze, and we boarded. Mask was required thought out the check-in process.
Mask And Social Distancing
Once onboard, masks and social distancing were required in food and beverage lines, elevators, public restrooms, venues, shops, restaurants (while waiting and walking to your seat), and guest services. Any time you were to be face to face with the staff, you were required to wear a mask, even if there were clear barriers between you. You were able to walk around the ship in the hallways with the option of wearing a mask. All outdoor areas masks were optional. Where ever mask were required, there were signs of letting you know. There was also staff nearby to offer you a mask if you needed one. A couple of times, I was at the pool area and went to get a snack and forgot my mask; instead of going back to get my mask, the staff had one on hand to offer me. The cruise was not at total capacity, which was nice. So crowding was not a problem and made social distancing was easy.
Excursions
Carnival Elation took us to Nassau, Bahamas, and Princess Cays. Both places had plenty of excursions available. Since this was my third time visiting Nassau, I noticed that some excursions were not available at this time, but there were still many choices. In Nassau, we chose an excursion that was a three-part journey, a catamaran, an underwater boat tour, and a bus tour of the town. The tour was excellent. On the catamaran, we saw parts of Paradise Island where the stars live; on the underwater tour we saw magnificent ocean life, and on the bus tour, we got to stop at a few places in the town of Nassau. Masks were required at all indoor areas in Nassau and were enforced.
Our day at Princess Cays was on the beach. There were several excursions to choose from; however, the threat of stormy weather canceled some of the dolphin and scuba diving tours. We chose a bungalow on the ocean. While on the island, lunch was provided, a buffet line where Carnival staff grilled hamburgers, hotdogs, and chicken breast was available to all the guests. To get to and from the island, we used tender boats, which was a new experience for me.
Although all excursions were not back to full operation after being shut down due to Covid-19, I was delighted with our choices on both days. There were more than enough options to choose from, and the options we chose were perfect for us.
Overall our experience was great. Having sailed with Carnival Cruise Line several times in the past, I felt that they are making every effort to keep their guest safe and healthy while continuing to provide the best experience. I was not overwhelmed with safety protocols, while at the same time, I felt that Carnival was diligent in providing a sanitary and healthy environment. I will be sailing again with Carnival Cruise Line in the future and trust they will always have my best interest at heart.
Before booking a cruise or sailing always check with Carnival Cruise Line’s official website to get the most up-to-date information for your sailing. Also, check out my post The Ultimate Cruise Packing List for a great resource on what to pack for your perfect cruise getaway.
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