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After being homebound for more than a year, most of us can’t wait to travel again. Domestic travel is not a problem but cruises have been virtually non-existent. Now that is about to change for the better.
Cruiselines have been given a plan by the CDC that will lead to the safe opening of US ports to cruise ships. The plan calls for either of the following:
1. A ship may sail if 98% of crew and 95% of passengers are vaccinated OR
2. The cruiseline must successfully complete test cruises monitored by the CDC
Celebrity Cruises is one cruiseline electing to go with the first option. Celebrity will require all passengers to be vaccinated on the Celebrity Edge scheduled to cruise from Ft Lauderdale on June 5th. All subsequent cruises will require vaccinations at least through the Alaska season and possibly beyond.
Royal Caribbean is an example of a cruisline that will follow the 2nd option – they will have a test cruise on the Freedom of the Seas on June 20th. If that cruise meets CDC requirements, Royal Caribbean ships will be able to sail without a vaccination requirement. We expect Carnival Cruise Line to follow this path.
If you’re anxious to cruise in 2021, you’re in luck. Schedules are just opening up so there are tons of availability. This is not true in 2022. Many dates are totally booked up, particularly in the summer, so you must call now if you want to cruise in the summer of 2022.