Originally Posted by
YZF_Elite
Got off the NCL Joy yesterday in Miami after a 7 day Mexico/Belize/Honduras cruise. Similar experiences to others:
- Booked last minute and got a really cheap solo cruise fare for a balcony and upgraded for $40 to a club balcony;
- Ship sailed with about 1,600 passengers (about 30-35% capacity);
- Pre-departure antigen test at the pier covered by NCL and all crew also tested weekly;
- Embarkation / debarkation the most efficient I've ever had;
- Crew all masked;
- In ports all locals masked even outdoors, far more than we see in Canada/US;
- Crew quite happy, few small glitches (e.g. getting internet plan working), but overall very smooth cruise;
- PCR test provided for free on board on the last day of sailing for my flight back to Canada.
Overall a great time and went off very well.
Nearly identical experience on the NCL Jade, Oct 31st-Nov7th, Greek Islands. Boarding went very smoothly, with staff to guide you through what otherwise would have been a bit confusing (the antigen testing ritual). Ship at about 50% capacity. No waits at restaurants, beautiful weather, crew seemed happy. Masks everywhere (required on-board except when eating or drinking, and I didn't see this abused). Never felt unsafe in ports, even Santorini, which had had issues earlier in the season.
In Athens before and after the cruise, vaccination cards were required more often than not. No issues not wearing masks in wide open areas. It seemed very, well, practical. By the way, this was our first-ever cruise. An excellent experience.