From the time we arrived at our Hyatt Place late on Friday evening before our Saturday cruise, the experience was wonderful. We spent the morning before the cruise and headed to Publix a half a block a way and picked up a few bottles of good wine. Then went to Gilberts in the same shopping center for an incredible burger before being our cruise.
The Hotel shuttle ($7/person) arrived at 1pm to take us to the cruise port for our 2pm onboarding time. We lined up outside for about 15 min and by 1:30 we were let into the cruise terminal and in our room by 1:45 unpacking our luggage. Since most everyone on the ship was vaccinated, Masks were required in the cruise terminal but once we stepped on board, the only mask required were on the cruise ship crew and children. I overheard that there were a couple on board that were unvaccinated and were required to wear mask and were tailed by some crew throughout the cruise to ensure they wore their mask but never saw this couple as they were not allowed in the spa were I spent a lot of my time. The cruise was just like pre-pandemic cruising except for the crew wearing masks. With about 1400 passengers (around 50% capacity), no waits, no lines, a small city of vaccinated people, no worries...this is the way to cruise...
The ship was beautiful. The food wonderful and service impeccable. We made friends with a few couples that had cruised for over 30 years on multiple lines and they also said this was their best experience and ship. High praise for Celebrity Edge and Captian Kate and her crew.