Page 13 - AAA Every Day – AAA Hudson Valley – January/February 2022

TRAVELER’S GUIDE
Return to Cruising
So, you’re finally ready to go on a cruise, whether it be been put into place. After coming back from his recent cruise to
ocean cruising or river cruising, you feel like now is the time to get back on the water. Before you board your ship, there are plenty of requirements to consider and ways to prepare that didn’t exist two years ago. Don’t worry, our AAA Travel Experts are here to provide you with some
helpful tips (even with the guidelines
that may be everchanging).
First thing’s first: Cruise lines are requiring all guests (within ages of eligibility) to be fully vaccinated. This means that you must have received your final shot at least 14 days
before departure. Next, even with full-vaccination status, guests are
still required to present a negative COVID test at the time of embarkation. Requirements for test results timeline may vary with cruise lines and ports.
Now you may be wondering what else the cruise lines have done to make cruising safer. According to AAA Travel Agency Manager John Kusek, the ships no longer allow you to serve yourself at their buffets and a server fills your plate. Mask requirements are in place for certain areas onboard. There is an increased availability of hand sanitizer throughout the ship and rigorous cleaning procedures have
the Bahamas on Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas, Kusek said, “I felt completely safe. Everything was immaculate and both the embarkation and disembarkation were effortless.”
Another key thing to keep in mind is that many itineraries include the cruise lines’ private islands.
© Royal Caribbean Int.
These ports of call mean that there
is a lesser risk involved as they are owned and operated by the cruise lines themselves and testing and cleaning procedures are in place. Some of the most exciting and relaxing things to
do can be found at the private islands, like beach cabanas, swim-up and/or poolside bars and snorkeling.
As always, going on any vacation and especially when leaving the country, there is always a risk involved. Make sure to check with your AAA Hudson Valley Travel Agent for the most up-to- date policies regarding health and safety. Where will you go? Contact your agent today to plan your cruise adventure.
Call 518-426-1000 or email booktravel@aaahv.com.
Read on to learn more about what’s new and hot in the world of cruising and hear a first-hand account from the Managing Editor of “AAA Every Day.”
© Royal Caribbean Int.
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