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What to expect on a cruise holiday in 2022
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Here’s some changes to expect, and new ways of enjoying the onboard experience, next time you embark on the high seas.
Keen to step aboard a cruise ship this year?
Even before the pandemic, the buffet was losing its lustre with more intimate pre-booked specialty restaurants being the preferred dining option for cruisers.
The self-serve buffet is banished
Now, self-serving is largely no longer an option. A server behind a glass shield will attend to guests at buffet-style restaurants. Expect social distancing, smaller numbers at tables and even digital menus.
Cruise lines are increasingly introducing an ‘E-muster’ – available for guests to watch on the TV or device in the comfort of their own stateroom. Cheers to that!
No more muster drills
Those keen to organise their own port tour or simply wander around a destination after disembarking might need to do a bit of homework beforehand.
Bubble excursions
Cruise lines need to meet health protocols of the country the ship visits, and you may only be allowed to do ‘bubble’ tours -  shore excursions arranged by the cruise line and vetted local operators.
Several destinations in the Caribbean, including Barbados, only allow guests on bubble tours. Rules can change quickly. Look for cruises where shore excursions are included in the price.
Pre-pandemic, lifts were a wait. Now, with limited numbers, you could be waiting even longer. Make it a rule, take the stairs. The extra bonus? No need for the gym.
The stairs become even more alluring
The thought of trying to nab a lounger by the pool on a megaship cruise can seem a little daunting, especially in pandemic times.
The rise of private enclaves
Enter the ‘ship within a ship’ concept, an exclusive VIP area where there’s a dedicated restaurant, pool, lounging area and spa just steps from your spacious suite. 
They come at a higher price point, but suites in these dedicated enclaves are often the first to sell out. On Celebrity ships it’s known as The Retreat, on Norwegian Cruise Lines they call it The Haven.
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