Live from the first cruise in the Pandemic

[Preziosa]

Very small casino.look at the deck plan. Mein Schiff 2

[Bo1953]

45 minutes ago, Miaminice said:

Forgive me, but I have to finance my next cruise somehow! Whenever it might be... 😁

 

LOL - how could I forget - how about I take out a supersized suite for your family and mine....

 

Will that work also???

 

bon voyage

[Miaminice]

2 minutes ago, Bo1953 said:

LOL - how could I forget - how about I take out a supersized suite for your family and mine....

 

Will that work also???

 

bon voyage

sure, I will throw in my wife‘s passport as well 😁

 

[taznremmy]

3 hours ago, Malcolm142 said:

So you scan the QR code at the  table but then how do you get the information on the screen?

Does it it connect via Bluetooth to a central transmitter on the ship.

I always put my phone on flight mode so I do not get any charges 

Your camera still works while you are in airplane mode. 

Google how to scan a QR code.  It walks you through it.  Easy Peasy.

Edited July 29, 2020 by taznremmy

[wrk2cruise]

It would be a wifi connection.  I believe most lines let you connect to wifi without buying a package to use their apps.  They just block you from getting to the internet without a package.

[garyl62]

3 hours ago, Malcolm142 said:

So you scan the QR code at the  table but then how do you get the information on the screen?

Does it it connect via Bluetooth to a central transmitter on the ship.

I always put my phone on flight mode so I do not get any charges 

You can leave your phone in flight mode, but then turn on the wifi so you connect to the ship's wifi as wrk2cruise indicated, but you'll still protect yourself from unwanted fees your provider may charge. 

Edited July 29, 2020 by garyl62

[mskitty1]

Glad to see that some lines are getting started/cruising again!  I didn't see anything that indicated any problems so far.  Hopefully all continues to go smoothly as it can be good for all of the rest of the cruiselines/us avid cruisers so we can get back out there on the high seas!

[Bo1953]

1 hour ago, Miaminice said:

sure, I will throw in my wife‘s passport as well 😁

 

LOL - not sure if her passport would do me any good, but no harm in trying!

 

Now, where is it you will be moving to after the cruise?

 

bon voyage

[jg51]

8 hours ago, steamboats said:

 

Quote

 

4.  If you are not given a "cruise card" at check-in (but instead get it inside the stateroom), this means that one cannot obtain a drink at a bar until staterooms become available -- correct?  When you reached your stateroom, was the door propped open, so that you could get to your "cruise card"?

TUI Cruises is all inclusive so you don´t need a card to get a drink ;-). 

 

6.  You said that there are "No self serving buffets." ...

do you mean that the buffet restaurant is open for all three meals, but guests are being served there at tables, by waiters, even there (just as they are being served in the MDR and SRs)?

The buffet has the same offerings as usual but you have to tell the staff what you want. Then they put it on a plate and hand it over with a hood covering the food. You may end up with a stack of plates (like when the servers in the MDR come out of the galley and walk to their station).

 

9.  Are some of the customary activities listed in the daily program -- for example: trivia games, karaoke, and other things of this nature?

Yes, they do have a full daily program - Bingo, classes (food, arts & crafts, sports - mainly for a fee), shuffleboard and more.

 

 

Tried to answer the questions for Germancruiser.

 

steamboats

 

Thank you VERY much, "steamboats," for trying to help both us and "Germancruiser" (who was given so many questions to answer -- and also deserves a chance to enjoy the cruise!).  We hope that you won't mind if we add a few "follow-up" questions (or if we repeat a few overlooked questions), which perhaps you or Germancruiser may be able to answer ...

 

[from Q4.]  Since you are not given a "cruise card" at check-in (but instead get it inside the stateroom), how are you able to get into the stateroom the first time?  Is the door wide open, or must the stateroom steward help you to enter?

 

[from Q6.]  We asked about the availability of food in the buffet restaurant -- and if it is served at tables by waiters.  You replied, "The buffet has the same offerings as usual but you have to tell the staff what you want. Then they put it on a plate and hand it over with a hood covering the food."

This raises a new question:  How can a guest know what is available, on the buffet, so that he/she can "tell the staff what you want"?  In other words ... (1) Is there a "buffet menu" ... or (2) Is the guest allowed to walk through the buffet area, making a written or mental note of what is available and can be ordered ... or (3) some other method?  In the past, on Celebrity ships (at least Solstice-class ships), there have been perhaps one hundred or more different items available at each meal.  In order to keep some items from being missed/overlooked/forgotten by guests, it seems that a complete, detailed "buffet menu" is needed for each meal.  How is TUI managing this situation?

 

[from Q9.]  We asked this: "Are some of the customary activities listed in the daily program -- for example: trivia games, karaoke, and other things of this nature?  You kindly replied:

"Yes, they do have a full daily program - Bingo, classes (food, arts & crafts, sports - mainly for a fee), shuffleboard and more."

We would appreciate it if you or Germancruiser could respond specifically about the two things that we mentioned: trivia games and karaoke. 

~~~ Some people think that karaoke will never again take place on cruise ships, because of contamination of the microphone; others say that the problem can be overcome by using disposable "sleeves" for the microphone (one per singer). 

~~~ Many Celebrity cruises have dozens (even over 100) enthusiastic trivia aficionados.  We are sure that some people are wondering if trivia (1) will be banned completely or (2) will be allowed only in very large venues (e.g., Sky Lounges) where tables would be far apart (and perhaps teams may consist of families and close friends only).

 

We (gratefully) look forward to hearing from you and/or Germancruiser.

Edited July 29, 2020 by jg51

[Miaminice]

Card: You receive a card. But you don’t need it to pay... 

 

Buffet: there’s a buffet. You tell the staff  what you want and they put it on your plate. Similar to how HAL are doing it all the time.

 

watch the Video on the TUI website. You can see it there.

Edited July 29, 2020 by Miaminice

[gerelmx]

@Germancruiser Thank you for sharing your experience, I have one question

 with the capacity reduced to 1000 passengers, what are the occupied categories? Are there passengers in the interior cabins?

[groryjm]

3 hours ago, mnocket said:

Yeah I read it.  That was the post that prompted my question.  It laid out the policy.  My question was about compliance with the policy.  Thanks for trying to help🙂

This is a German cruise line with mainly Germans on board so I imagine there is 100% compliance with the rules.

Edited July 29, 2020 by groryjm

[hcat]

7 hours ago, Brindlebury said:

Thank you German cruiser! Your trip sounds lovely.

If these first attempts at sailing again bring me hope – with 3 cruises still on the books – I can only imagine the relief the thousands of crew members sitting in their home countries feel, knowing that ships are slowly beginning to stir again.

 

As for the QR code.  We went to a country restaurant last week, tables miles apart, with the code card at the table which you access through your mobile.  But the people at a neighboring table apparently didn’t have a phone or couldn’t make the code work – so the staff brought a large chalk board with all the menu items written on it. A neat solution though clearly not practical with 1000 passengers!

Wondered how it would  work if you do not have a device on board..We seldom carry them. And if we  do bring them onboard,  we keep them locked in our safe. If Celebrity goes this route, hope they will have alternatives available,

 

Glad the cruise is enjoyable !

[Host Anne]

2 minutes ago, hcat said:

Wondered how it would  work if you do not have a device on board..We seldom carry them. And if we  do bring them onboard,  we keep them locked in our safe. If Celebrity goes this route, hope they will have alternatives available,

 

Glad the cruise is enjoyable !

 

Hcat ~ they did have paper menus available for those without a mobile device.

[Tom47]

Thanks Germancruiser

[George C]

Thanks again , cool 10,000 views since yesterday 

[BigNance]

Germancruiser, Thanks soooo much!

A cruise to enjoy vicariously!!!

I hope it is wonderful for you!

N

[BSR]

@GermancruiserThanks for sharing.

[Welland]

16 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

Hello all and again, thank you for your kind and encouraging words. We are now at day two sailing right now into the Oslo Fjord, approching Oslo and docking there for three hours.

 

Miaminice already answered the questions about the masks and the menus. You make your selection and order via the waiter as usual. 

The wearing of mask walking the ship inside is no problem at all- as soon as you take a seat it gets off.

 

Ones temprature is taken every day. I heard from a crew member they did that on the first voyage when you entered the restaurant - but that did no work out. So they set the Disco apart for that purpose. It is a very swift and quick procedere, you just stand in front of - well it is a tablet computer really your head gets into a frame and thats it. Oh by the way my temprature was 36,4 so I passed with flying colors. LOL.It took me but three minutes. Again the ships sails not even at half capacity.

 

 

Thank you for taking time from your cruise to answer questions.

 

Could you please provide the following:

 

1.   any dancing for guests on board?   If so are the numbers of guests limited?

2.  how many people can reserve for the show?   Are they allowing 200-300 people at a time?   How far are they seating guests from one another?

3.  anything else you can shed light on in respect of every day activities would be appreciated.

 

Enjoy the cruise and stay healthy!

[K.T.B.]

4 hours ago, Miaminice said:

Card: You receive a card. But you don’t need it to pay... 

 

Buffet: there’s a buffet. You tell the staff  what you want and they put it on your plate. Similar to how HAL are doing it all the time.

 

watch the Video on the TUI website. You can see it there.

 

Sounds like the buffet is more like a cafeteria, which is fine by me.

[erewhon]

Germancruiser,

We appreciate  you sharing your cruising experience during the pandemic.

Thank you.

[Blackduck59]

It's great to see so much excitement for this topic, again thank you for sharing. Everyone has so many questions, me included but I will wait for you to tell us of your experiences in your time. Any questions I may have I'll ask when you are finished the cruise.

[taznremmy]

@Blackduck59  Very well stated.....thank you.  Germancruiser, thank you so much for your postings.  With over 10,000 views, I am sure even you are surprised at how popular this would be.  Danke.

[Germancruiser]

Oh dear so many views - amazing. Thanks all- and those who jumped in and answered many questions already. 

Cabins and Cabin attendant: 

As far as I know there no insides or ocean views occupied only balconys and suites. 

Cabin steward is not going into once cabin , when there is the passenger in the stateroom. I did not exchange two words with - only in passing on the corridor. 

They work wearing gloves and masks. So I am really not afraid - anyhow I thing social distancing and wearing mask is the IMPORTANT thing to avoid getting infected. 

 

The Theater was filled only with a few people yesterday. They do no dance shows with many dancers and singers on the stage at once- it is only one or four man shows. The one I saw was pretty good though. If you want to just show up - you can do so- only thing you have to give your stateroom number and name at the enterance. 

 

They ( Tui Cruises) adverticed we are all sailing with the Premium All Inclusive status- usualy you have to pay for that- here it was included. That is a bit of joke- since in every Speciality Restaurant you have to pay for you drinks. That found rather unusual. 

 

There are cardholder with the. QR Code on every table- as mentioned one does not have to touch it in order to scan it.

 

In all my 23 years if cruising on big ships I never came along a more happier, more friendly crew. They are all excited and kind of proud to be on the first Big ship that reasumed cruising. When I write all- I mean of course those i met - i haveń´t obvioulsy not met each and every crew member.  LOL. 

 

The Casino is there- first of all there all in all 9 slot machines, one table and one Roulette table. Gaming is not very popular on German ships - so it seams. The Casino is also the smoking lounge- the only lounge were the smokers can enjoy indoor smoking. ( I most sincierly hope I did not trigger one of those smoking theads we are all so fond of) 

There are many outdoors places for smokers- so I would say a very smoker friendly ship. I neither smoke nor gamble - so I really dont care.  I am also not in the least bothered by the smokers or walking through a smokers area. 

Oh I always thing- oh my American friends on CC would not like that one bit. LOL: 

 

I will doing a full review when I am back home. The internet is bit „ bumpy“ to say the least. 

 

The whole cruise was a rather bumpy ride- which i love immensly - to feel beeing on a ship. 

 

Again thank you for your kind words. I am sorry about those many spelling mistakes- I try hard, but English is not my first language. 

 

Bye for now- my last day at sea has just started, which I intend to enjoy to the fullest. 

Edited July 30, 2020 by Germancruiser

[taznremmy]

@Germancruiser....enjoy your last day to the fullest.  Ignore all of us.......until you get home.  As you can see, we are all VERY interested in what you have to say.  I bet you had no thought that your post would "take off" like this.  Thank you again.  Stay well.