7 Cruise Customs Are Being Scrapped Now. Which Will You Miss Or Celebrate Going?

Editorial Summary

Gary Bembridge examines several long-standing cruise traditions that are being altered or eliminated due to pandemic protocols. He notes that ship capacity is being reduced to prevent overcrowding, moving away from the practice of filling vessels beyond their advertised double occupancy. The creator explains that the freedom to board ships early is being replaced by staggered check-in times to facilitate health screenings and sterilization. He highlights the transition from in-person safety muster drills to a digital three-step process involving cabin videos and station scanning. Regarding social interactions, Bembridge discusses the end of dining with strangers and the shift toward crew-served buffet stations rather than self-service. He also addresses the loss of independent exploration in ports, noting that passengers are currently restricted to organized excursions. Finally, the video covers a shift in medical services, where cruise lines are moving away from treating medical centers as profit centers and are instead focusing on proactive public health monitoring. Bembridge concludes that while many cherished customs are disappearing, some changes offer significant benefits to the passenger experience.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.