Silhouette around Britain staycruisecations

[38anchor]

Not sure if anyone else has picked up on this yet but the Southampton Travel Requirements has been updated as of June 28, 2021

 

https://www.celebritycruises.com/gb/healthy-at-sea/uk-travel-requirements

 

The addition seems to be tracelets

 

Face masks will be required for all guests 11 years and above. Masks must be worn whilst indoors but will not be required whilst drinking or eating or whilst outside. 

Tracelets

Guests aged 2 years and over must wear a Tracelet at all times. Guests will be issued with their Tracelet during the check-in process at the terminal.

• The Tracelet needs to be worn on the wrist.
• Guests must wear the Tracelet at all times and until they disembark the ship on debark morning.
• Tracelets are not water-proof. Guests must remove the Tracelets when bathing or swimming. 
• If a Tracelet is lost, a replacement will be issued at Guest Relations/Services
• Tracelets will be collected at the end of the voyage prior to the guest entering the terminal and cannot be kept. 
• Tracelets have an advanced Bluetooth chip and an antenna that can ‘see’ other Tracelets around. 
• If a guest comes into contact with someone with COVID-19, they will be notified by the shipboard team. 
• Refusal to wear a Tracelet will result in denial of boarding and not being able to sail.

[lovetoholiday]

Thanks for the update.  I hadn't seen this yet. It seems to be in line with what other ships are doing.

[Thameside]

5 hours ago, talljules1 said:

Hope you have a great time.  We should be on on 17th!

Do let us know how you get on with PCR testing and boarding etc, and what the experience on board is like!

Will do for sure 🛳

[Fouremco]

Pity that they didn't make these waterproof like the Princess Medallions. Still, a good idea IMO.

[talljules1]

Agreed - the Tracelets sound like a sensible approach.  Really no different to having the NHS COVID app chuntering away to itself on your phone in your pocket (and saves having to have phone with you all the time - which I really don't want! I want to be able to lock my phone away!)

[Turtles06]

There was an interesting article a few days ago in the Wall St. Journal about how some cruise lines are returning to cruising using contact-tracing technology.  Royal Caribbean Group's Tracelet was featured:

 

"Royal Caribbean, which owns and operates the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises brands, recently developed a wrist device, the “Tracelet,” to help with contact-tracing. Embedded with a Bluetooth-enabled chip, the Tracelet can record when a guest is within 6 feet for 15 minutes of other individuals on a ship, the company said. Royal Caribbean’s website states that all passengers and crew need to wear a Tracelet.

 

In the event a passenger is diagnosed with Covid-19, the ship’s security crew can access device data to see a list of whom the sick person has been in contact with. The reporting and data tools that process the contacts and generate reports for tracing purposes were developed by the company."

 

Here's the link to the full article (for those who can access it behind the WSJ's paywall):

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-u-s-cruises-resume-operators-outfit-ships-with-contact-tracing-tech-11624300600

[ighten]

4 hours ago, LifeonMars said:

 

The White Building is a listed building and is part of The Royal Pier and is home to the  award winning Kutis Indian Brasserie, next to the Red Funnel Ferry at Royal Pier. It re opens on 21st July 2021 

https://www.kutis.co.uk/

 

Weirdly its the one thing that always reminds me we have arrived finally close to the port  in  Southampton - Passing the regal looking Indian restaurant (though I think it was once a casino before that) and the rail line next to the dual carriageway

[talljules1]

I don't have any objection to wearing a Tracelet, and it doesn't worry me at all. (All my worry is in what happens if our Eurofins tests come back inconclusive - I guess it means "you don't go")

 

I wonder what their range is.

 

I'm planning on being sociable whilst at the same time keeping some distance whilst on board.  (I've been keeping my distance since this began and it would be a bit of a culture shock to dive straight back into close contact! - so it's not just that I assume you're all germ-ridden! lol)

[lovetoholiday]

13 minutes ago, talljules1 said:

I don't have any objection to wearing a Tracelet, and it doesn't worry me at all. (All my worry is in what happens if our Eurofins tests come back inconclusive - I guess it means "you don't go")

 

I wonder what their range is.

 

I'm planning on being sociable whilst at the same time keeping some distance whilst on board.  (I've been keeping my distance since this began and it would be a bit of a culture shock to dive straight back into close contact! - so it's not just that I assume you're all germ-ridden! lol)

This is my concern too.

[mklions]

4 hours ago, LifeonMars said:

 

The White Building is a listed building and is part of The Royal Pier and is home to the  award winning Kutis Indian Brasserie, next to the Red Funnel Ferry at Royal Pier. It re opens on 21st July 2021 

https://www.kutis.co.uk/

Just looked at their website, food looks delicious! With fab views!

As we are staying in Southampton for two nights pre cruise may well book a table.

Mklions..

[talljules1]

2 minutes ago, lovetoholiday said:

This is my concern too.

I am quite stressed by it. It has certainly sucked away my joy.

 

I am happy to abide by the rules, and am not questioning or contending them. I totally see why they are in place.

 

My suspicion that if my test comes back +ve it will most likely be a false positive. (I will of course then follow the rules, regardless). But not clear what happens if inconclusive.  We are having our tests on the Wednesday afternoon prior to sailing but not sure that will give us time to retest.

Normally, we would travel down towards Soton the day before, but my preference at present is to travel down on the day. (OH wants to travel down on 16th.)

 

Don't get me wrong - I am looking forward to having a break, but I just can't get excited about this yet (even though we should be in a RS!!) - I don't think I will believe it is happening until we are walking up the gangplank! 

 

I suppose we just keep fingers crossed 🙂

 

[ighten]

The issue (especially for later cruises after Jul 19th) is this... You bizarrely may have more chance of catching the damn thing because suddenly everyone decides its a free for all throw masks away supermarket sweep no restriction rampage :)...  You may  be vaccinated and totally safe unless your seriously low odds unlucky - but you can still carry the thing..

 

I think I'll resort too hiding behind the settee and ordering online for the two weeks before the cruise lol

Edited June 28, 2021 by ighten

[LifeonMars]

1 hour ago, Turtles06 said:

There was an interesting article a few days ago in the Wall St. Journal about how some cruise lines are returning to cruising using contact-tracing technology.  Royal Caribbean Group's Tracelet was featured:

 

"Royal Caribbean, which owns and operates the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises brands, recently developed a wrist device, the “Tracelet,” to help with contact-tracing. Embedded with a Bluetooth-enabled chip, the Tracelet can record when a guest is within 6 feet for 15 minutes of other individuals on a ship, the company said. Royal Caribbean’s website states that all passengers and crew need to wear a Tracelet.

 

In the event a passenger is diagnosed with Covid-19, the ship’s security crew can access device data to see a list of whom the sick person has been in contact with. The reporting and data tools that process the contacts and generate reports for tracing purposes were developed by the company."

 

Here's the link to the full article (for those who can access it behind the WSJ's paywall):

 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/as-u-s-cruises-resume-operators-outfit-ships-with-contact-tracing-tech-11624300600

MSC for Cruises on Virtuosa had similar for tracking, but that was a waterproof wrist band like a fitbit Charge 4 but without a clock face. You could charge your account and open cabin door with it. 

[little britain]

1 hour ago, LifeonMars said:

MSC for Cruises on Virtuosa had similar for tracking, but that was a waterproof wrist band like a fitbit Charge 4 but without a clock face. You could charge your account and open cabin door with it. 

But it kinda ruined the look of your formal night photos!!!  
Seriously it was great. As you say pay it paid for drinks and opened doors! 
No mention yet in RCI site of tracelet usage

 

Edited June 28, 2021 by little britain

[Nick&Simon]

10 hours ago, ighten said:

The issue (especially for later cruises after Jul 19th) is this... You bizarrely may have more chance of catching the damn thing because suddenly everyone decides its a free for all throw masks away supermarket sweep no restriction rampage :)...  You may  be vaccinated and totally safe unless your seriously low odds unlucky - but you can still carry the thing..

 

I think I'll resort too hiding behind the settee and ordering online for the two weeks before the cruise lol

 

I think this makes the assumption that cruise lines operating UK summer cruise will amend their on-board social distancing practices to reflect government easing. I'm not sure it's going to be that joined-up.

 

I suspect no sitting at the bar, wearing a mask indoors, no contact with cabin steward/butler, restricted dining times and groups etc may be around way past the 19th July.

[upwarduk]

45 minutes ago, Nick&Simon said:

 

I think this makes the assumption that cruise lines operating UK summer cruise will amend their on-board social distancing practices to reflect government easing. I'm not sure it's going to be that joined-up.

 

I suspect no sitting at the bar, wearing a mask indoors, no contact with cabin steward/butler, restricted dining times and groups etc may be around way past the 19th July.

Many of the cruises are supposed to be visiting Scotland, where they don’t ease the restrictions until 09.08.21. As yet we don’t have a revised itinerary. We are supposed to visit Glasgow on the 9th August. We will wait to see if  Nicola allows us in.🙏

[vino123]

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2775136-who-has-decided-to-take-a-summer-staycation-cruise/?do=findComment&comment=61356103

Just read this post on the P&O board regarding boarding the Britannia yesterday. Sounds like the testing at the port can be a stressful experience, maybe Celebrities idea of getting tested beforehand may be a better option

 Guess we will find out soon!

[Eglesbrech]

1 hour ago, upwarduk said:

Many of the cruises are supposed to be visiting Scotland, where they don’t ease the restrictions until 09.08.21. As yet we don’t have a revised itinerary. We are supposed to visit Glasgow on the 9th August. We will wait to see if  Nicola allows us in.🙏

She is making a statement to Holyrood at 2.20 today. 

[chemmo]

So, we are all wearing our tracelets...

 

What counts as ‘coming into contact with someone with covid’?

 

Sitting at the table next to theirs in Luminae, the Retreat lounge, Retreat deck or simply being in any of those venues when the covid guest is there?

 

Visiting a rest room at the same time as the covid guest or being in a pool at the same time....?

 

So what happens next? Are you asked to stay in your room if you are symptom free? Are you asked to move to another room?

 

If it is near the end of the cruise will you be allowed to head home to finish your quarantine or could you be told to enter a quarantine hotel as if you had returned from a code red country?

 

If you are unfortunate enough to have to spend your cruise in your room would you receive any money or fcc as compensation?

 

Does anyone have any idea from other boards about this where cruising is actually happening?

[sgmn]

13 hours ago, ighten said:

 

 

I think I'll resort too hiding behind the settee and ordering online for the two weeks before the cruise lol

Off topic a bit, but that's what I'm planning to do before my sons wedding in August.  It would break my heart if I was ordered to self isolate due track and trace just before the wedding.

Good luck to all you 'pioneers' on the first few cruises, I shall be following along with interest and may dip my toe in the water and book a sailcation end of August 

[Esprit]

18 minutes ago, chemmo said:

So, we are all wearing our tracelets...

 

What counts as ‘coming into contact with someone with covid’?

 

Sitting at the table next to theirs in Luminae, the Retreat lounge, Retreat deck or simply being in any of those venues when the covid guest is there?

 

Visiting a rest room at the same time as the covid guest or being in a pool at the same time....?

 

So what happens next? Are you asked to stay in your room if you are symptom free? Are you asked to move to another room?

 

If it is near the end of the cruise will you be allowed to head home to finish your quarantine or could you be told to enter a quarantine hotel as if you had returned from a code red country?

 

If you are unfortunate enough to have to spend your cruise in your room would you receive any money or fcc as compensation?

 

Does anyone have any idea from other boards about this where cruising is actually happening?

 

To be honest I really don't care! I'm not going to worry about something until, in the unlikely event, "the **** hits the fan".

When I'm on Silhouette at the end of this month I shall be thankful how lucky I am to be on board a ship again and away from my office desk after over a year of grafting.

Edited June 29, 2021 by Esprit

[little britain]

Interesting developments announced on MSC boards today: apparently the government has changed guidelines and as of 28/6 cruises can operate at increased capacity of 50% under the condition that operators ensure that all adult guests are fully vaccinated with exemptions for those under 18…..

 

Has anyone heard anything on X?

Edited June 29, 2021 by little britain
This covers cruises until 17/7

[little britain]

1 hour ago, vino123 said:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2775136-who-has-decided-to-take-a-summer-staycation-cruise/?do=findComment&comment=61356103

Just read this post on the P&O board regarding boarding the Britannia yesterday. Sounds like the testing at the port can be a stressful experience, maybe Celebrities idea of getting tested beforehand may be a better option

 Guess we will find out soon!

I can assure you that testing before boarding MSC was a totally smooth painless experience! Results back in 15 mins and we were on board. 

[chemmo]

16 minutes ago, Esprit said:

 

To be honest I really don't care! I'm not going to worry about something until, in the unlikely event, "the **** hits the fan".

When I'm on Silhouette at the end of this month I shall be thankful how lucky I am to be on board a ship again and away from my office desk after over a year of grafting.

 

So understand what you are saying but I do like to know exactly where we stand if things do go wrong...

[little britain]

29 minutes ago, chemmo said:

So, we are all wearing our tracelets...

 

What counts as ‘coming into contact with someone with covid’?

 

Sitting at the table next to theirs in Luminae, the Retreat lounge, Retreat deck or simply being in any of those venues when the covid guest is there?

 

Visiting a rest room at the same time as the covid guest or being in a pool at the same time....?

 

So what happens next? Are you asked to stay in your room if you are symptom free? Are you asked to move to another room?

 

If it is near the end of the cruise will you be allowed to head home to finish your quarantine or could you be told to enter a quarantine hotel as if you had returned from a code red country?

 

If you are unfortunate enough to have to spend your cruise in your room would you receive any money or fcc as compensation?

 

Does anyone have any idea from other boards about this where cruising is actually happening?

MSC who have been operating successfully since 20/5 around the UK ( so my estimations think they must have carried about 8000+ passengers now and on sale to both vaccinated and unvaccinated ) - they have deck 8 blocked off as a quarantine deck ( balcony cabins) and you are moved there if tested positive.  
Insurance is a hot topic on MSC boards - it has to have COVID cover, denied boarding cover…. And I got a new policy with enhanced cruise cover from Staysure which pays out if confined to cabin. 
 

I would assume the tracelet works like the NHS app thing… you have no idea if it was the person you stood next to in M&S.