Port Everglades cruise passengers not worried about possible COVID outbreaks

Hundreds of Celebrity Edge passengers waited outside Terminal 25 at Port Everglades in sweltering South Florida heat to get their required COVID-19 test before their scheduled Saturday evening departure.

Over at Terminal 18, where people were lined up to board Royal Caribbean International’s Odyssey of the Seas for its inaugural voyage, things were moving more swiftly. Still, a certain percentage of those passengers also had to get the required COVID-19 test (passengers said they had to show proof of a negative test from three or fewer days before departure).

Still, Saturday was a landmark day. It marked the first time in more than 15 months two cruise ships with passengers were scheduled to depart from Port Everglades on the same day.

And despite those numerous instances of last-minute COVID-19 tests, passengers for both ships said they weren’t concerned about a possible COVID-19 outbreak. They trust Royal Caribbean Group, which owns both ships, took enough reasonable steps to ensure their safety.

The Sun Sentinel interviewed about 10 people Saturday and all said they were fully vaccinated.

“We feel very safe with the protocols Royal Caribbean has in place,” said Migbalia Bonetti, a Miami resident who is taking the Odyssey of the Seas with her husband, Fernando.

Royal Caribbean’s website says beginning Sunday, regardless of vaccination status, all passengers 2 years old or older who are on cruises five nights or longer departing from Florida must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test from three or fewer days prior to departure.

On cruises four nights or fewer, fully vaccinated passengers aren’t required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test.

Recent COVID-19 issues on cruise ships didn’t dissuade the passengers who were waiting to board ships Saturday at Port Everglades. Six passengers on Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas tested positive Thursday, and one passenger on Celebrity Cruise’ Celebrity Equinox tested positive Friday.

Regardless, some Port Everglades passengers said they trust their fellow passengers are doing everything they can to take care of themselves.

“I kind of think we have to trust each other as a society we’re all going to take personal responsibility,” said Arlene Cummings, a Lake Worth resident and Odyssey of the Seas passenger who cruises once a year with her husband.

And, yes, passengers for both ships recall instances from last year when COVID-19 outbreaks on ships meant the ships had to stay out at sea, and, in some cases, in their rooms, for extended periods.

“It could be a cruise to nowhere,” said Jim Holtrop, an Edge passenger and part-time travel agent from Hudsonville, Mich., who is taking his 98th cruise.

Mike and Gayle Zak, Odyssey of the Seas passengers from Plano, Texas, considered the possibility of being stuck at sea for a few extra days. That’s why they have a plan.

“We made sure we had a balcony,” Gayle said with a laugh. “You definitely don’t want to be stuck with four walls and no way to get out.”

The Zaks, who cruise once or twice a year, are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. They were married July 11, 1971. They’d attempted six 50th anniversary cruises previously, but all were canceled.

As the afternoon wore on, one passenger walking to the end of the line at Terminal 18 for the Celebrity Edge jokingly asked other passengers, “Anybody want to sell me their COVID test?”

Everybody had a good laugh.

Everybody also said they think the odds are in their favor.

Derrick Boddie, a Winter Haven resident, was preparing the take the Odyssey of the Seas with his wife, Chandra. Derrick said he doesn’t have any COVID-19 concerns for the trip. When he was told of the six positive COVID-19 cases on Adventure of the Seas, which was carrying about 1,000 passengers and 900 crew members, he seemed encouraged.

“That ain’t a bad ratio,” he said with a smile. “I like that math.”

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