When Cruise Lines Resume Sailing Again: Latest Updates

Most major cruise ship companies are planning to resume operations before summer 2021 to fully vaccinated tourists as countries move towards finally containing the Covid-19 crisis.

A number of these cruise lines have officially announced that only passengers who have received two doses of an approved COVID-19 vaccine will be allowed on board.

Cruise lines were among the first companies to get hardly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic as more than 40 cruise ships confirmed almost 1000 infected passengers on board.

Thus, it comes as no surprise that these companies will enforce strict biosafety measures to ensure something like that will never happen again.

Here are some of the cruise lines open or planning to reopen for business over the coming months:

Virgin Voyages

Virgin Voyages will reopen operations on 9 May 2021. Scarlet Lady (a brand new vessel) will start service on 9 May 2021 and Valiant Lady on 14 November.

The company is reportedly working with medical testing developers to find “a reliable, quick and simple test, that will enable us to ensure only those who test negative for COVID-19 are allowed to board.”

Requirements: Negative COVID-19 test
Resumes operations: on May 9

AIDA Cruises

AIDA Cruises is open for bookings starting March 20. Their first ship is scheduled to travel to the Canary Islands.

In order to attract tourists, the company is offering “AIDA promise” a program that allows passengers to reschedule trips due to unexpected situations.

Passengers will also need to submit a negative COVID-19 test prior to boarding. Crystal plans to provide on-site testing for those who need it to get back home.

Vaccine requirements: have not been announced yet.
Resumes operations: on March 20.

Carnival Cruise Line

The relaunching of Carnival Cruise Linedepends on the country and the type of vessel. So far, trips on all its 24 ships have been canceled until the end of April, some of them have even been canceled through November 2021.

Vaccine requirements: have not been announced yet
Restarts operations: possibly in May

Celebrity Cruises

All transatlantic cruises to Europe with Celebrity Cruises, plus the rest of the company’s trips have been cancelled until April 30.

To date, the company has not spoken about a reopening plan.

Vaccine requirements: have not been announced yet.
Resumes operations: uncertain.

Crystal Cruises

Crystal Cruises is set to restart operations later in 2021. As stated by company officials, it is in their “passengers’ best interests” to require all travelers to show proof of having received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before departure.

Vaccine requirements: proof of two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine is required
Resumes operations: Later in 2021

Costa Cruises

Costa Cruise will restart operations on March 27. The company has been very active in the Italian COVID-19 vaccination campaign. It is a matter of time before the company announces they will be requiring COVID-19 vaccine certificates from all travelers.

In fact, Costa Cruises passenger terminal Palacrociere in Savona has been open as a vaccination site for the elderly.

Vaccine requirements: have not been announced yet but it is expected.
Resumes operations: on March 27.

Disney Cruise Line

The Disney Cruise Line has had to cancel all operations until May. The reopening plan or date has not been officially announced but it has bookings available on its website from June 2, 2021.

Vaccine requirements: have not been announced yet.
Resumes operations: probably on June 2.

Folkestone-based Saga

Folkestone-based Saga, the cruise ship operator will resume operations this summer. The company has also announced that all its passengers must have been vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days prior to travel so they can board its Spirit of Adventure or Spirit of Discovery ships.

The company is confident that, as the majority of its target travelers belong in the first vaccination group, they can restart operations this summer.

Vaccine requirements: proof of two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine is required
Resumes operations: Summer 2021

Genting Cruise Lines

Genting Cruise Lines operated by Dream Cruises resumed local operations in Singapore last November. Effective February 19, passengers aged 7 and above are required to download the TraceTogether App to be allowed to check-in.

All embarking guests must take the COVID-19 Antigen Rapid Test (ART) at the Marina Bay Cruise in Singapore.

COVID-19 requirements: Negative COVID-19 test and downloading a tracking App.
Resumes operations: local operations resumed last November.

Holland America Line

Holland America Line has cancelled all its departures until April 30. For its part, the Alaska Canada and New England trips are banned to enter Canadian waters until 2022 according to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Vaccine requirements: have not been announced yet.
Resumes operations: In Europe, probably in May. International operations, probably in 2022.

MSC Cruises

MSC Magnifica from MSC Cruises might restart operations in the Mediterranean Sea in April. As of now, Italy and Malta are enjoying the MSC Cruises’ MSC Grandiosa. Passengers are subject to Covid-19 screenings before and during the cruise.

Vaccine requirements: have not been announced yet
Resumed operations: On January 24

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line had to extend its travel ban and its restarting date is uncertain. This followed the issuing of the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

The cruise line is reportedly working on a reopening plan but the details have not been announced yet.

Vaccine requirements: have not been announced yet.
Resumes operations: uncertain.

Pullmantur Cruises

According to local media, Pullmantur Cruises might resume operations at the end of 2021. Royal Caribbean Group, owner of the 49 percent of the company, has presented a restructuring plan to move two vessels from Celebrity Cruises to Pullmantur.

Requirements: have not been announced yet
Resumes operations: might restart at the end of 2021

Princess Cruises

Princes Cruises may resume operations in July. The company has officially announced that it has been getting ready to meet the “Framework for Conditional Sailing Order” requirements before they can reopen services.

As of yet, all cruise ship trips including sailings in the Caribbean, the California Coast, Alaska and Europe cruises have been cancelled.

Vaccine requirements: have not been announced yet.
Resumes operations: probably in July

Royal Caribbean International

Quantum of the Seas is a cruise ship operated by Royal Caribbean International and the only one attending the local market in Singapore since last December. International operation might restart in May.

The vessel has been operating at 50% capacity to allow social distancing. Passengers need to activate the Singapore government’s “TraceTogether”, an app used by the government to track peoples’ encounters.

Also, all travelers need to wear the Royal Caribbean’s “Tracelet,” a watch-like device that allows people who have been exposed to positive patients to prevent the spread of the virus.

Vaccine requirements: have not been announced yet
Resumes operations: local operations resumed in December. International operations might restart in May

Silversea Cruises

This Royal Caribbean’s luxury brand operated by Silversea Cruises is set to resume operations depending on the type of vessel/trip. The Silver Origin on May 1; the Silver Moon on May 4; the Silver Cloud, the Silver Muse, the Silver Shadow and the Silver Spirit will reopen on May 20; the Silver Wind and the Silver Muse on May 20; the Silver Whisper: on June 20 and the Silver Explorer: on May 28.

Vaccine requirements: have not been announced yet.
Resumes operations: Depending on the vessel