We chose this Crystal cruise because we have cruised with them twice before and think they are one of the best. The cruise seemed like a safe bet because when we booked it in early summer, they were leaving from Nassau and only taking on cruisers who were vaccinated .Early August we get an email that they were now taking away a extra day in the Bahamas and adding Miami Florida. By this time you would loose your entire deposit if you cancelled. Then I tried to change my expensive flight form Nassau to Miami because my flight was over $700 from NJ to Nassau. I called Crystal and was told yes I could do that but it would cost another $1200 for my husband and myself. Next we got another email few days later stating that not only were we stopping in Miami, but they were allowing unvaccinated people on the ship in Miami .These cruisers would have restricted access to general areas in the ship. I really considered cancelling at this point because my husband is a cancer survivor, in his 70s and somewhat immunocompromised. After much discussion we decided ok we'd give it a go. We also had to get a Nassau health visa which involved a lot of paperwork and more money.

When we arrived in Nassau we took a bus to a welcome center where we were given our second covid test in 5 days and told to wait in the ballroom. There was some stale breakfast buns and sandwiches for us to eat. We waited about an hour there. We arrived in Nassau around 2pm and got the ship at 4:30. The ship had about 200 people on it.. Once there we were told we had to wear masks everywhere on ship except while eating or in pool. We were also told several employees tested positive from last cruise and I think a few passengers not sure. Again assured that everything was being done to keep ship clean and uncontaminated. Ship was very clean and personnel were all very polite. Food was excellent andwe were told could eat at each specialty restaurant twice this cruise.

The first stop was Bimini and only one excursion was available, it was a shuttle ride to a beach where there were clean bathrooms and showers a bar and food service you had to pay for very nice. After that we went to Miami where we had to get off the ship although originally told we wouldn't, go through customs and then wait again for a few hours till everyone was off. Ok now I'm going to shorten story. San Salvador the water was very choppy so only a few ventured off the ship. There was a cleared beach with chairs for hire and porta pottys. A few little huts where people were selling straw products and shells. Great Exuma was cancelled due to bad weather choppy water as was Clarence town. Read more