Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, the world’s cruise lines have long been put on hold. To the cruising fans that have long awaited their return, this could be your day- or month. As of July 26, many cruise lines have either announced their plans to return to sea or have already set sail.
Below are some of the most popular cruise lines whose ships have begun sailing. Another line also has plans to embark very soon, though since it is not yet sailing, I’ve included it in a different category. Please note that every cruise line listed here either requires or strongly recommends full vaccination. Guests that can be vaccinated should have every needed dose at least two weeks before their embarkation date. Also linked are the official statements regarding vaccination put out by each cruise line.
So, let’s start looking at these cruises.
Cruise Lines Sailing Right Now:
Royal Caribbean: Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, and Serenade of the Seas have all begun sailing. Planned dates for more ships to embark begin in August and span through the end of the year. Note that some of their ships have been suspended through the end of August; no dates for their return have been announced. Guests boarding most cruises must be fully vaccinated, but the minimum age to be vaccinated and the recommended vs required vaccine status varies by departure port. Please check this Royal Caribbean page to find the regulations for your port.
Celebrity: The Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Edge, and Celebrity Flora have all begun sailing. Guests must be fully vaccinated to sail on their vaccinated cruises. As of August 1, guests 12 and over must be vaccinated to sail. The exception of this rule would be for UK guests sailing on the Celebrity Silhouette; all guests 18 and over on the ship must be vaccinated. This Celebrity page outlines their guidelines.
Norwegian: The Norwegian Jade began sailing on July 25, with the Norwegian Joy and Norwegian Gem beginning their itineraries in early to mid August. Guests must be fully vaccinated to board the ships through the end of October. This page from their website discusses the benefits of full vaccination on cruises and their safety protocols.
Carnival: The Carnival Vista, Horizon, and Breeze are now sailing, and the Mardi Gras will sail from Port Canaveral tomorrow, July 27. Carnival is carrying out 95% vaccinated cruises, explained here, meaning all guests who are not exempt or twelve years and under must be vaccinated to sail.
Holland America: Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam sailed from Seattle on July 24. Many more of its ships are scheduled to cruise in the fall, and guests sailing in 2021 must be vaccinated.
Upcoming Cruises:
Disney: The Disney Dream will set sail at the beginning of August, departing from Port Canaveral and visiting Disney Castaway Cay. The Disney Magic is also offering cruises only for UK residents this summer. There are no specific dates for the other ships to begin sailing so far; they are expected to be announced soon. Disney Cruise Line does not require guests to be fully vaccinated to board, but full COVID-19 vaccination is strongly encouraged.
Is your favorite cruise line sailing now? Will you be taking a cruise this year?
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Have a great day,
Gia