Now hiring: Cruisers willing to go on simulated voyages for Royal Caribbean
2020 continues to bring the unimaginable, this time in the form of a potential new career field.
Royal Caribbean is looking for passengers to set sail on simulated voyages to test safety and health protocols, according to Cruise Industry News. Vicki Freed, senior vice president of sales, trade support and service, made the announcement Wednesday and said while details aren't worked out, the company will have a number of trial cruises with volunteers and employees with the goal of convincing the CDC that cruise lines can restart operations.
On October 30, the CDC said it would not extend its "no-sail" order but created a framework for conditional sailing that has a phased approach to resuming cruise ship passenger operations in US waters.
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The simulated voyages are a part of the phased approach and must prove to the CDC the lines have the ability to mitigate COVID risks on ships.
After canceling the remaining planned 2020 cruises, Freed said the first sailings in 2021 may be short voyages to CocoCay in the Bahamas allowing the company to operate in its own bubble.
Related: A preview of new COVID-related cruise restrictions
While all travel-related industries have had a rough 2020, the cruise industry is the only one to basically have all North American operations halted. TPG Senior Reporter for Cruise and Travel Gene Sloan just boarded the first cruise ship to sail in the Caribbean since March. I'm sure the sailing will be closely watched by everyone in the industry and die-hard cruise enthusiasts as well.
If you happen to be one of those enthusiasts who just can't resist staying off a ship any longer, be sure to volunteer on Royal Caribbean's first simulated voyages in the meantime.
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Why We Chose It
The revamped Wander Card from Credit One Bank earns cardmembers up to 10 points per dollar spent on eligible travel purchases. With no foreign transaction fees, the card is also great for international travel. However, points earned from this card can only be used at a fixed value, so it may not be the best option for those striving to get maximum value from their rewards.Pros
- This card has no foreign transaction fees and earns up to 10 points per dollar on travel purchases through the Credit One Bank travel partner site.
Cons
- While cardholders can earn a significant amount of points on travel purchases, there isn't any way to redeem points from the Wander Card for maximum value (beyond 1 cent per point).
- Earn 10,000 bonus points after spending $1,000 on eligible purchases in the first 90 days and redeem for a $100 statement credit, gift cards, or travel
- Earn 10x points on eligible hotels and car rentals booked through the Credit One Bank travel site
- Earn 5x points on eligible travel, dining, and gas
- Earn 1x points on all other purchases
- Redeem your reward points for statement credits, gift cards, merchandise, flights, hotels, and more
- With $0 Fraud Liability, you won’t be responsible for unauthorized charges
- Free Online Credit Score and Credit Report summary, terms apply
- If you are a Covered Borrower under the Military Lending Act, you may get a different offer
- See Rates & Fees