ONBOARD THE CELEBRITY EDG -- Richard Fain, the ever-quotable CEO, summarised the difficulties of keeping up with current cruise restrictions in the current environment: "We are dealing avec a hodgepodge regulation and rules that would confuse Dalai Lama."The restrictions can be confusing for those who are not as intelligent as the rest of us. Particularly when it comes rules about disembarking at port.The Celebrity Edge's first cruise on Celebrity Edge was an amazing experience. However, the shoreside experience was different. Port policies are determined by the destination and cruise line. Edge travelers were faced with confusion and inconsistencies.Two days before the cruise left, we were informed that we wouldn't be allowed to disembark at the Mexican ports of Costa Maya and Cozumel unless we took Celebrity's curated bubble tour. We discovered that we could also disembark in Costa Maya independently to visit shops, restaurants, and cafes within the private port area or to take a curated taxi tour of a pre-approved destination. This was not surprising as anyone who travels in a pandemic environment should be aware of the changes in virus prevalence and vaccination rates.Just up the coast, however, passengers could not disembark from Celebrity's tours in Cozumel and were also restricted to the immediate port area.This is the real confusion: The Adventure of the Seas passengers, Celebrity sister line Royal Caribbean International was docked directly across from the Edge at the Cozumel Pier. These passengers were permitted to walk around the port.Royal Caribbean Group spokesperson said that the Adventure's home port was Nassau so it follows different rules from the Edge.About 25% of the approximately 1,200 passengers aboard the Edge cruise took part in the line's excursions to Costa Maya or Cozumel. To alleviate the crowds at other places onboard, so many people stayed aboard the ship in Cozumel.Cruisers who are cruising during these first months should expect changes, both onboard as well as offboard.This reminds me of a conversation that Gary Smith, a Dream Vacations franchisee had with me earlier this month about setting expectations for clients when cruises resume.He said, "Everything these day is sold with an asterisc over it -- an asterisc in giant print." We tell our customers that they should expect the worst. If you are willing to accept it, however terrible it may be, you will be fine.
