Pre-Cruise Testing
At the time, Australia's cruising protocols required us to complete a negative Rapid Antigen Test at least 3 days before departure (which in our case was to be in Honolulu).
Prior to the cruise we took what we considered to be reasonable precautions. We got our 4th vaccination 3 weeks before departure for maximum benefit, we limited our socialising in the lead up, and masked up if we went to any busy places.
We flew to Honolulu (wearing masks during the flights, and where the airport lounges were busy), and spent 5 days relaxing before the cruise.
Honolulu felt like covid didn't exist. There were almost no masks to be seen, everything was very chill - and really with most things being outdoors or with good ventilation, I didn't worry.
3 days before the cruise as required, we visited a testing centre in Waikiki and had a supervised RAT. Everyone in our travelling party was negative... The biggest relief as this was really our last hurdle before boarding.
Embarkation and Cruising
On embarkation day, boarding was a breeze. We were though security and on the ship within half an hour of our arrival at the terminal. To play it safe we wore masks in the terminal.
The first week and a bit of the cruise was amazing. Beautiful blue seas, drinks by the pool, and lots of interesting people to meet.
We avoided the elevators, taking the stairs. If we did need to use the elevator, we wore a mask. Generally around the ship we didn't wear masks, but avoided really crowded areas. We did wear masks however in the theatre, and as with every cruise in the past.. Frequent washy washy.
We spent three days exploring Moorea and Papette in French Polynesia. Once again we played it safe and wore masks while tendering, and when on the bus during shore excursions.
This is when it hit.
Covid Hits
After a long day doing a island tour of Tahiti, we returned to the ship for dinner. I was exhausted and struggling to keep my eyes open, and had a splitting headache. Initially I contributed this to three days of excess sun, exploring and assumed a little dehydrated. After dinner I called it an early night and was in bed by 8pm.
When I woke the following morning, the headache had mostly disappeared, there was a very slight tickle in the back of my throat, and my head just felt fuzzy. I had packed a heap of RATS in my luggage, so out of an abundance decided to do one (even though I was sure it was probably just dehydration). As soon as the sample went in the test cassette, the test line appeared!
When I realised the test results, I contacted medical on the phone to find out what I needed to do. Medical asked me to come down to the facility on deck 2 with my RAT.
I headed down with my test in hand (wearing a mask the whole time). When I arrived at medical, there were about 4 other people waiting before me (a couple of them obviously in the same situation as me). The triage officer confirmed my test, took by blood pressure, oxygen levels and temperature. I then had to wait to be seen by the doctor. The doctor just went over to check what symptoms I was having, asked about my medical history, and gave me pain killers and throat losingers incase I needed them. I then had to wait in another room for someone to come and talk to me about the isolation protocol s.
Another crew member came and spoke to me about the isolation protocols along with a letter running through them. My partner was also called down to medical at this time, was tested (negative), and given the option of either moving to a new cabin while I isolated - where he was free to go about the ship, as long as he wore a mask in public areas and did a daily RAT. Alternatively, he could stay in the cabin with me.. But would also be isolating.
Isolating onboard
Our isolation begun with a crew member escorting us from medical.. Through the crew areas including crew elevator and sneaking us back to our cabin on deck 10...it really did feel like the walk of shame.
I would need to isolate in my cabin for 5 full days. Today was day 0.
On day 5, I would be tested again. If negative and without symptoms I could leave isolation
While isolating:
- Meals come from room service at no charge
- You get a sheet with 3 QR codes on to order breakfast, lunch and dinner for the following day
- Drinks are snacks are still available through room service
- You get complimentary Surf Voom internet while in isolation, as well as free phone calls
- Your cruise fare for the days you isolate are refunded to you.
On day 5, a medical member came to our cabin around 9am and did a rat test on me (which half an hour later was confirmed to still be positive). This happened each morning up to day 7 when I was released from quarantine.
Conclusion
While it was not the way I was hoping to spend a chunk of the cruise, there was nothing more Royal Caribbean could have done to handle it better. They really did make it so the guest could make the best out of an bad situation. They constantly checked in to make sure we were OK, and nothing at all was a hassle for them. If this is the price for cruising during a pandemic, the price isn't too bad.
