A cruise ship holiday is definitely something to try and tick off our bucket list while we can still fully appreciate the experience. Unfortunately, though, Covid has made the process just that little bit more complicated but with some foresight and a few basic preparations, cruise ships remain an excellent and enjoyable way to travel the world. It is still possible to have your cruise, and enjoy it.
The Effects Of Covid On Cruising Holidays
When Covid shut down cruise liner operations globally, the cruising industry per se worked very hard to improve onboard health for passengers and crew. Many of the bigger lines implemented new technologies and upgraded their facilities and processes.
Taking a leaf out of land-based enterprises, some have installed state of the art air-conditioning systems that pull in fresh air from outside instead of recirculating air. Most now have dedicated healthcare facilities for Covid and other infectious patients. Protocols are in place for more effectively managing disease outbreaks on board. Sanitising stations abound. Cleaning procedures have been improved, mask wearing and social distancing are recommended where possible, and so on.
As these measures come into play, most companies are winding back their specific Covid prevention policies (social distancing, mask and vaccination mandates etc). As a consequence, outbreaks on ships will, and are, increasing.
Cruising In A Covid World
It’s pretty much a given that the relatively carefree days of cruising holidays, when your biggest concerns were avoiding theft and remembering to slip/slop/slap before heading outside, are gone. Like we’re seeing in the ‘real world’, it’s now up to individuals to take responsibility for their own health whilst cruising. With that in mind, here are our top post-Covid cruise ship tips for a safer cruising holiday.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #1: Check Travel Insurance Requirements
Interesting information: almost 70% of Australians believe the Australian Government will ensure they get medical treatment if they need it overseas and 43% think the government will pay for said treatment. Obviously we’re referring to Medicare, and neither assumption is correct.
Cruise Ships, Medicare, And Private Health Insurance
If you’re leaving Australian waters, neither Medicare nor private Australian health insurance will follow you out [1]. In fact, they won’t follow you more than 20 kilometres away from any Australian port, even if you’re staying within Australian waters for your entire cruise (domestic cruise), and there’s an Australian-registered doctor on duty (rare). You may come across a few websites stating differently but as with anything, go directly to the source, namely either the Medicare or Australian Government websites.
A Travel Insurance Policy: Don’t Cruise Anywhere Without It
Cruise companies and the Australian government recommend taking out travel insurance that covers cruises and Covid, even on domestic cruises. On international cruises, an international travel insurance policy with cruise and Covid cover is also mandatory with most cruise lines. A few countries (Singapore, Thailand, UAE etc) also won’t let you in without appropriate travel insurance.
Most standard international travel insurance policies cover expenses relating to:
- Medical emergencies including treatment and evacuation,
- Trip cancellations, amendments, interruptions, or delays,
- Damaged, stolen or lost luggage / property.
However, they don’t always automatically include cruises, in which case you’ll have to specifically request it and pay extra. It’s usually called ‘specialist cruise cover’.
Always check Covid policies carefully when buying your insurance. Some policies have basic Covid cover that pays your medical costs if you actually get Covid overseas but don’t necessarily cover cancellation fees if you have to cancel your trip, or parts of it, because of Covid outbreaks. You may also find that Covid cover for cruises, if the policy has it, is very limited or excludes Covid acquired on multi-night cruises altogether.
To Do: The good news though is that there are travel insurance policies that do cover most of the above. Shop around until you find one.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #2: Find Out What Happens If There Is A Covid Outbreak On Board, Or You Contract It
Cruise ship companies now have precise policies and procedures in the event of an onboard Covid outbreak. They may isolate infected passengers in their cabins, move them to specific quarantine locations on the ship, or try and send them home or to shore for treatment. Furthermore, if the ship isn’t allowed to enter a port because of a Covid outbreak (onboard or on shore), it could be forced to hang around offshore for days. Ask the company what happens to their passengers should this happen.
It’s also possible that if there are Covid positive passengers on board, scheduled regional stops will be cancelled, particularly if local medical infrastructure wouldn’t be able to cope with an outbreak.
To Do: Familiarise yourself with all possible scenarios so you’re not caught unawares.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #3: Consider Vaccinations and Test Beforehand
Vaccines may not prevent you getting Covid and other viruses. However, they will probably reduce your chances of having to spend the better part of your holiday laid up in the ship’s hospital, or isolating in your cabin.
Even if it’s not required for boarding, get tested before you leave home and if you or any of your travelling companions return a positive result, don’t go. It’s better to be sick in the comfort of your own home, close to familiar medical help should you need it. You also won’t be spoiling anyone else’s holiday by spreading it around.
Check the entry requirements of all the countries your cruise stops in with respect to Covid and other vaccinations. Some countries require all visitors to their shores to be vaccinated.
To Do: Get yourself an Australian-issued International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate (ICVC). It’s free, and accepted at all international borders.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #4: Use Commonsense And Take Precautions As Appropriate
Cruise ships are crowded enclosed environments, much the same as packed football stadiums, crowded concert halls, and big shopping centres on Boxing Day. They are full of people from all over the place who could have all manner of contagious health conditions. The only difference is that you’re cooped up with them for longer on a cruise ship. Nevertheless, measures you’d apply to keep yourself safe in any crowded environment will also apply on a cruise ship.
To Do: Wear a mask indoors when you leave your cabin, and whenever you’re going to be in close contact with other people. Keep your distance as much as possible, wash your hands regularly, use sanitiser, and wipe everything you touch with antibacterial wipes first. This leads us to our next tip….
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #5: Take Hand Sanitiser And Wipes With You
Although cleaning protocols on cruise ships have undergone significant improvements since Covid, it’s still a good idea to be prepared. Take plenty of hand sanitiser and antibacterial wipes with you. Use them as you would in any other crowded environment – wipe surfaces down before touching them and apply sanitiser to your hands regularly. Also keep your hands clean and away from your face.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #6: Book A Refundable Or Transferable Cruise
Almost all the major cruise lines have updated their cancellation policies to factor in unpredictable Covid situations – from fresh outbreaks to testing positive. However, most come with certain caveats so check these carefully before you book.
To Do: Know where you stand with respect to refunds or credits should you or a travelling companion test positive for Covid prior to leaving, and have to cancel.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #7: Book Refundable Airfares Or Bus Tickets
Unless you live within driving distance of your cruise liner’s departure point, you will probably be flying or bussing there.
To Do: As with the cruise itself, check cancellation policies carefully prior to booking your flight or bus ticket.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #8: Check Your Passport And Visas
This might sound like a no-brainer but nonetheless…. Many travellers have been caught out because they didn’t realise until the last minute their passport had expired, or would expire mid trip.
The Australian Passport Office advises that it takes at least 6 weeks to get a new one, and that you should begin this process about 6 MONTHS before you plan to travel. They do have a paid priority service that guarantees the issue of a passport within 2 business days BUT only AFTER they receive all relevant documents from Australia Post.
To Do: Check your passport well before your boat leaves and also sort out any visas you’re going to require.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #9: Book Through A Travel Agent
Travel agents are far better equipped and have the time and expertise to handle last minute itinerary changes, cancellations, disruptions and the like. They’ll also know what visas you need, the various vaccination policies of the countries you’re visiting, and so on.
To Do: Get a travel agent to do all the leg work for you.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #10: Choose Adults Only Cruises
Unless you absolutely have to travel with children – perhaps you’re taking the grandchildren on a cruise – book yourself on adults’ only cruises. Some children, particularly very young ones, may not be vaccinated yet. Besides which, you’ve probably been there and done that with respect to family holidays so you’ve earned a peaceful break where you’re only dealing with other like-minded mature adults!
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #11: Take Care of Your Health Generally
Sitting on a ship for hours, even a big one, can be tiring and unhealthy. So it is important to take care of your health while on board and make sure you stay healthy whilst enjoying your cruise. You can do this by:
- Not eating too much junk food: Junk food is usually high in calories and fat, which can lead to weight gain and other health problems. Make sure you keep a check on how much junk food you eat.
- Exercising regularly: Exercise helps in reducing stress, keeping a healthy heart, improving mood, and having better sleep quality. It also helps in making sure you do not put on weight because of inactivity. Try to exercise at least 30 minutes every day after dinner or before bedtime by going for walks or jogs around the ship.
- Drinking more water: Drinking more water keeps your body hydrated and flushes out toxins from your system.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #12: Book A Balcony Cabin
If you want to get the most out of your cruise, and be able to spend more time outside whilst reducing contact with potentially infected fellow passengers, book a balcony cabin. You can bask in the fresh air there instead of on a crowded deck or pool side.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #13: Don’t Forget To Take Photos
With today’s modern portable gadgetry there’s no excuse for not keeping a photographic record of your trip.
To Do: Take photos every chance you get. You probably should make sure you have a copy saved somewhere too in case you lose your phone, or it ‘breaks’.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #14: TYO Snacks If Possible
Taking pre-packaged (and unopened) snacks with you will reduce the amount of time you spend queuing for these on board and potentially exposing yourself to bugs. It will also be much cheaper! Note though that you won’t be allowed to take homemade meals, opened products, or perishables. You also can’t take electrical equipment like your favourite kettle or coffee machine, although you can take unopened jars of instant coffee, packets of ground coffee and a French press. The good news is that coffee (and tea) are in plentiful supply all around the ship. All you have to do is order, and pay, for it.
Cruise Ship Holiday Tip #15: Time Your Embarkation Arrival To Avoid The Crowds
If you want to avoid the embarkation crowds arrive as early or as late as possible. That way you’ll beat the rush or arrive after everyone else is already on board.
All that’s left is to enjoy your cruise!
[1] https://www.health.gov.au/health-alerts/covid-19/international-travel/cruise-travel
The information contained on this site is general in nature and has been prepared without considering your objectives, financial situation or needs. You should, before acting on any advice, consider its appropriateness to your circumstances (including your objectives, financial situation and needs). You should also consider the relevant PDS before making any decision about any product.
