March 2022

As some of you know, Lynn and I decided to take the leap and go on a cruise. We chose the Celebrity Reflection for our first major trip in 2 years and sailed the Western Caribbean. Two years may not see like a long time in the grand scheme of things but when you were in the business of travel leading multiple trips per year, it felt like a lifetime!

As our departure date approached, we experienced a range of emotions from extreme excitement to a little apprehension, as if we were like the other early pioneers exploring a new land. We had seen posts from others who have ventured out and were able to do so safely.

So, what a cruise you ask? The biggest reason for us was the 100 % vaccination of the crew, and the vaccination of all eligible passengers. This along with pre-cruise testing for all passengers, we felt it was probably the safest vacation we could choose.

There is no question that travel is different now. If you remember after 9/11, air travel got a lot more complicated. Security increased greatly and the time you needed to navigate the airports increased but we all adjusted because travel was ingrained into our psyche.

Now Covid-19 is much different than 9/11 but I think the foundation is figuring out how to travel safely is the same. We all want to know that we will get from point A to B in the most comfortable and safe way possible. For most, Covid-19 prevented this from happening but with vaccinations and boosters, we are seeing that the clouds are parting, and we will once again be able to return to the roads and airways to begin exploring.

So how was the cruise you ask? It was AMAZING. It felt normal. Great food, superb staff, warm weather, great entertainment and of course did I mention great food?

The Cruise

The Celebrity Reflection has a passenger capacity of 3046 but our cruise only had 1100 passengers on board. We felt like we had the ship to ourselves. Boarding the ship has gotten much easier now. We downloaded the Celebrity App and uploaded all our documentation including passport information, vaccination certificate and our payment method. When we got to the terminal, they checked our negative test results and away we went onboard. Room keys were in the mail slot outside our cabin, and we were now enjoying the ship. First thing we did was order a celebratory Mudslide from the bar and grab some lunch.

One thing I really enjoy doing on a cruise is interacting with the staff to find out where they are from and how long they have been on the ship and working onboard cruise ships. Most of our wait staff had been back on the ship since the summer and have 10-to-15-year careers with Celebrity Cruises.  You can really develop some great connections with the staff, and they call you by your first name after day one.

The cruise was so satisfying on many levels but he biggest takeaway for myself was realizing that we can travel safely and take steps to protect ourselves. Those steps include vaccinations and boosters, mask wearing when not 6 feet apart and washing your hands. We were fortunate to be on a less than half full ship but if there were more people, we could still take measures to feel safe.

There is still a risk when it comes to travelling but there was always risks when you were visiting foreign lands. I guess what this trip proved to me was after two years of staying home and now with restrictions being gradually lifted, it is possible to travel and experience the world. But you need to determine the level of risk you are comfortable with because you can’t be stressed out and enjoy your vacation at the same time. It’s one or the other. We are ready to help you explore when you feel the time is right!