Carnival Glory From New Orleans
After the two initial sailings were cancelled due to the impact of Hurricane Ida on the city of New Orleans, Carnival Glory finally became the first cruise ship to resume from the city on September 19.
A Back to Fun event was held in the terminal before the first guests stepped onboard the newly refurbished vessel. Carnival Glory is among the earliest to receive the cruise lines new red, white a blue livery, which is gradually rolling out across the fleet.
The Conquest-class vessel departed on a week-long Western Caribbean cruise including calls at Mahogany Bay in Islan Roatan, Honduras, Belize, and Cozumel in Mexico. The ship is returning back to New Orleans on September 26. On November 1, sister ship Carnival Valor will also join by offering cruises from the city.
Carnival Cruise Line expects to carry 400,000 passengers annually from the port which is more than any other operator. Between both ships, they will offer six-, seven and eight-day sailings to the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexico. There will also be shorter four- and five-day cruises along with a 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise.
- Resumed Cruises: September 19, 2021
- Homeport: New Orleans, Louisiana
- First Cruise Back: 7-Day Western Caribbean Cruise
Carnival Breeze From Galveston
Carnival Breeze became the third ship in the fleet to resume sailings and the second out of Galveston, Texas. She departed from the Port of Galveston on July 17, bringing back the fun to guests who have been waiting more than 16 months to enjoy a cruise vacation with Carnival.
On her first voyage back in service, Carnival Breeze is sailing a four-day itinerary which includes a visit to Cozumel, Mexico. The ship will also be sailing a five-day voyage departing on Mondays and Saturdays, including a call to Cozumel, Costa Maya, or Progresso, all in Mexico.
The ship is sailing with fully vaccinated passengers and crew on board. However, there is an exemption that guests can request if they are ineligible for the vaccine. There are more strict protocols in place for these guests, including travel insurance and the cost of a test.
- Resumed Cruises: July 17, 2021
- Homeport: Port of Galveston, Texas
- First Cruise Back: 4-Day Western Caribbean
Carnival Dream From Galveston
The Port of Galveston is leading the restart of operations with Carnival Dream now becoming the third Carnival cruise ship to resume operations. The vessel departed on September 19 on its first cruise with guests in 18 months.
After a Back to Fun ribbon-cutting ceremony, the first guests were welcomes on board and the ship departed on a six-day Western Caribbean Caribbean cruise including calls at Costa Maya in Mexico, Belize and Cozumel, and Mexico. A range of itineraries to the Caribbean and the Bahamas will continue through the remainder of the year.
Carnival Dream joined Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze, which have already resumed operations from Galveston.
- Resumed Cruises: September 19, 2021
- Homeport: Galveston, Texas
- First Cruise Back: 6-Day Western Caribbean Cruise
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Ncl Cruise Ship Weddings
Since 2016, Norwegian Cruise Line offers weddings at sea, including same-gender ceremonies. The weddings are performed by the ship’s Captain.
- For now, these offers are only for the company’s newest vessels of the Breakaway- and Breakaway-plus classes.
- Formerly, couples were not allowed to marry at sea, but only ashore . They also had to produce a marriage certificate before participating in an onboard ceremony. By the NCL’s new policy, cruise ship captains can perform the wedding ceremonies on the ship, with a Bahamas-issued marriage license.
- NCL also offers absolutely legal same-gender ceremonies. However, these offers are only available in cruise port destinations where such marriages are recognized by local law. The list of such destinations in the USA includes Hawaii, Boston MA, NYC New York, Los Angeles CA, Seattle WA, Florida , also Vancouver BC .
- NCL’s new package “Wedding at Sea” includes a bridal bouquet, 1 matching boutonniere, 1 wedding cake for 2, champagne toast. The company also provides an experienced wedding coordinator.
- In addition to the “Wedding at Sea” program, Norwegian Cruise Line also offers harborside ceremonies , also destination weddings and vow renewals.
Fun Activities To Do This Fall In South Florida
This is it. Vacationers can finally plan to take their precious time off this summer and truly get away after what has been a challenging time for everyone,” Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley said in a statement. “Thanks in large part to the successful rollout of vaccines, the world of adventure is beginning to open up, and we are all excited to start delivering great vacations to our guests, who have increasingly told us they are getting vaccinated.”
All Royal Caribbean crew members will be vaccinated against COVID-19, and the company said guests are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated. Guests who aren’t vaccinated or are unable to verify that they are vaccinated will have to undergo testing and follow other protocols that will be “announced at a later date,” the company said.
Royal Caribbean said 90% of vacationers booking with them are either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise.
The federal government shut down all cruises in March of 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Earlier this year, the state of Florida filed a lawsuit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention over its no-sail order.
Florida is the nations cruise capital with three of the worlds busiest ports: Miami, Port Canaveral near Kennedy Space Center, and Port Everglades near Fort Lauderdale. The cruise industry generates billions for the economy and employs tens of thousands of Floridians.
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Ruling About Restrictions For Florida
MIAMI, Fla. Pandemic restrictions on Florida-based cruise ships will remain in place after a federal appeals court temporarily blocked a previous ruling that sided with a Florida lawsuit challenging the regulations.
The CDCs restrictions were expected to expire at midnight on Sunday, but the one-paragraph decision by a three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals was filed at 11:50 p.m. Saturday, just minutes before a Tampa judges previous ruling on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention restrictions was set to take effect.
The process that was put on hold with the latest decision would have allowed for the CDCs COVID-19 regulations for cruise ships to be used only as a recommendations. The judges issuance of a temporary stay keeps the CDC regulations regarding Florida-based cruise ships in place while the CDC appeals the June decision by U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday.
The lawsuit, championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, claims that the CDCs multiple-step process to allow cruising from Florida is overly burdensome, harming both a multibillion-dollar industry that provides some 159,000 jobs and revenue collected by the state.
On Monday, DeSantis addressed the decision during a press conference while signing a wildlife bill in Poinciana, Fla.
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Cruise Ships Resume Sailing Out Of Florida As Legal Battles Play Out And State Covid
More than a month after Royal Caribbean did a test voyage to simulate how the line would handle passengers if they tested positive for COVID-19, the cruise line this week faced the real thing: Six guests aboard the Adventure of the Seas ship tested positive, the company confirmed Friday.
Four of the guests, who are not traveling together, are vaccinated. Of these adult passengers, three are asymptomatic and one has mild symptoms. The remaining two passengers, traveling together, are unvaccinated children and are not presenting symptoms.
In an email, Royal Caribbean International wrote that the guests were quarantined and close contacts were traced. So far, they all tested negative. Each guest and travel companions disembarked in Freeport, The Bahamas.
The company confirmed that in order to travel on the Adventure, which departed Nassau on July 24, people 16 and older must have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and had to test negative before boarding. Children under 12 who aren’t eligible for vaccines also had to test negative. All of the staff are fully vaccinated.
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“Weve worked so hard on so many protocols, that I really wanted to get out there and test out how does it actually pan out,” Shen said.
No American cruise line, however, has said it wants to sail with unvaccinated crew or passengers.
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Cruises Will Resume Sailing From Miami As Early As Mid Summer
Norwegian and Carnival are among the first to step forward with tentative dates.
It looks like there might be hope for your summer vacation on the high seas after all. Miami-based cruise lines Norwegian and Carnival have announced that they are ready to start cruising again in the next few months.
For its part, Carnivals plans to resume its Caribbean itineraries from its ports in Miami, Cape Canaveral and Galveston, Texas, beginning August 1a week after the CDCs No Sail Order is set to expire. Eight ships from the companys flagship line would be the first to set sale, though theres still no assurance that business will go on as planned. Any resumption of cruise operations is fully dependent on our continued efforts in cooperation with federal, state, local and international government officials, stated the company in a Tweet. Voyages on its other ships will likely be canceled through the fall.
While cruises arent as imminent as, say, Memorial Day, theres still a shot you could find yourself aboard for a July 4th vacay. Maybe dont give up on your summer bod just yet?
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Further Changes Are Possible
The situation worldwide is changing weekly, and cruise lines are working with the relevant authorities for a safe return. Its all very fluid, and the restart dates may change even further. The CDC has been making some adjustments recently with relaxing masks and social distancing rules for vaccinated guests.
Also Read: CDC Ditches Mask and Social Distancing Rules for Vaccinated Cruises
Norwegian Cruise Line still plans to restart in August from Florida but parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings recently filed a lawsuit against Florida on the states vaccine passport ban. The result of this could have an impact on any protocols the line implements.
The ongoing saga between the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Florida has still not been resolved. In fact, just recently, the CDC successfully got a hold on Florida being allowed to overrule its Conditional Sailing Order. On July 19, the Florida Governor said it will come out on top and could take its lawsuit against the CDC as far as the supreme court.
Cruise Hive will continue to monitor any new developments, so keep checking this detailed page for when cruises resume, not just this year but in 2022.
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Cruise Ship Terminal Directions And Parking
- From North – take I-95 South, drive eastbound I-395 . Continue driving on I-395 East . The entrance of Port Miami Tunnel is on the left. Follow the signs to your Cruise Terminal.
- From North – take I-95 South. Exit 3B-Bayside. Drive south to Northeast 5th Street, turn left. 5th Str leads onto PortMiami Bridge. Continue over the bridge and follow the signs to your terminal.
- From South – take SR-826 North to SR-836 East. Drive eastbound on SR-836 to I-395 East . Continue driving on I-395 East . The entrance of Port Miami Tunnel is on the left. Follow the signs to your Cruise Terminal. You can also take I-95 North and drive eastbound I-395 .
- From South – take I-95 North. Exit at Northwest 2nd Street. Drive straight to NW 5th Street, make a right. 5th Str leads onto PortMiami Bridge. Continue over the bridge and follow the signs to your terminal.
- From Miami Beach – take I-395 , drive westbound, exit on Biscayne Blvd ramp and make U-turn on North Bayshore Drive to enter MacArthur Causeway eastbound. Then continue on I-395 East .
- Parking rates – USD 20.00 per day. All parking lots are outdoor and located in front their corresponding terminals. Special arrangements are offered for cruise passengers with disabilities.
Miami port, besides its 9 cruise terminals also has facilities to handle cargo ships and dry dock facilities for marine vessel refurbishments and repairs.
How To Get From Fort Lauderdale/hollywood International Airport To Miami Cruise Port
Anybody looking to travel the 30 miles from Fort Lauderdale airport to Miamis Cruise Port will be well served by a fantastic transport nexus specifically tailored to the bustling cruise network. But with so many transportation options available, its good to have in mind what each one offers, so that you can plan accordingly. Whatever transportation you choose, its best to allow at least 45 to 60 minutes for you journey from the airport to your Miami hotel or cruise terminal.
Cruise Line Transfer
Reserving your airport transfer through the cruise line promises a level of convenience, comfort and assurance that other options might not meet. You will often be greeted by cruise company representatives, conducted to a comfortable coach, and be safe in the knowledge that if the shuttle is delayed the cruise will not be leaving without you.
The comfort and assurance of the official option does come at a cost however, with many shuttle services costing around $25 to $35 per person. Charges like this may be fine if you are travelling alone, but they soon add up to a large bill if you are travelling with family.
Airport & Private Shuttles
Check rates for transfers from Ft Lauderdale to Miami
Hotel Shuttles
The hotels of Fort Lauderdale near the port are well prepared to service cruisers, but often hotels in the area will only provide shuttle journeys to the nearby Port Everglades Cruise Terminal in Fort Lauderdale itself.
Taxis and Uber Journeys
Public Transport
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Where To Stay Near The Port
Downtown Miami and Brickell are the closest neighborhoods to PortMiami with top hotels like the InterContinental Miami, The Gabriel Miami, Hyatt Centric Brickell, Four Seasons, and Kimpton EPIC Hotel.
Hotels with breathtaking views and luxury options abound in Downtown, which is home to popular tourist attractions including Bayside Marketplace, Bayfront Park, Museum Park and Lummus Park. While still very much urban, Brickell offers a more suburban feel. Plenty of hotels are found in the neighborhood, which also offers fantastic dining and shopping at Mary Brickell Village.
Miami Beach and South Beach are unbeatable locations with oceanfront hotels offering idyllic views close to pristine white sand beaches. These diverse areas are home to top dining, from fine dining world class restaurants to delicious dishes at casual beachside haunts.
Lincoln Road is lined with lively bars and is a popular spot to enjoy a walk, and the Bass Museum of Art is also in the area. Favourite hotels close to PortMiami include The Redbury South Beach, 1 Hotel South Beach, The Confidante Miami Beach, The Marlin Hotel, Loews Miami Beach Hotel, The Palms Hotel and Spa, and Hampton Inn Miami Beach.
Coconut Grove overlooks Biscayne Bay while Coral Cables is a picturesque neighborhood with fantastic shops, beautiful mansions and historic sites. Luxurious options include The Ritz-Carlton Coconut Grove Miami, Biltmore Hotel, Hotel Colonnade Coral Gables, Hyatt Regency Coral Gables, and Hotel St. Michel.
Cdc Framework And Its Impact On The Resumption Of Cruises
With the new “Framework for Conditional Sailing,” cruise lines now have a much clearer path to getting back to sailing, though certainly not easy.
While the framework lays out a path, there are no actual dates specified within the process. There are, however, certain steps that the CDC says cruise lines must follow.
The framework itself is a series of measures that cruise lines must take, falling into four categories:
Within each of these categories are multiple measures cruise lines must take in order to complete the framework. Once completed, then the cruise lines can apply for a “Conditional Sailing Certificate” to return to sailing.
For a full explanation of all the steps and their requirements, see our article here.
Recently, the CDC eased some rules for cruise lines if they sail fully vaccinated trips where 98% of crew and 95% of passengers have the shot. For instance, if a cruise ship sails a fully vaccinated trip, they can skip the simulated voyages, drastically cutting down the time needed to meet the CDC requirements.
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Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Original Update: The cruise line which is based out of West Palm Beach, Florida has remained silent through early 2021. Announced on April 9, the small cruise line will make a comeback with short cruises to the Bahamas starting on July 2, 2021.
Update 1: In a recent development from Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Grand Classica has been approved by the CDC to operated a simulated voyage. The ship will depart on June 25 on a 2-night test cruise to stress test health protocols as per the CDC Conditional Sailing Order requirements.
Update 2: In early July, the cruise line altered its return to service date and its planned simulated cruise. The test cruise finally departed out of West Palm Beach, Florida on July 13 with cruises officially restarting from July 16.
Cruises Resume:
Public Transportation From Mia
Board Metrorails Orange Line to Downtown Miami, which will take less than 30 minutes. The fare is $2.25 per person. Its about a 1.5-mile-walk from the Freedom Tower station to the port, so youll want to grab an Uber or taxi from there. Or take the Miami Trolley Coral Way route all the way to the port. You can track the location of the trolley in real time with this handy, interactive map.
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