Will Vaccinations Be Required
Some companies are reluctant to depend on testing alone, after the SeaDream 1, a ship that had aspired to be a model for a safe return to cruising, cut short its Caribbean voyage last year because several passengers tested positive for the coronavirus, despite the fact theyd had a negative test before boarding.
Most major cruise lines have not decided whether they will require vaccinations for future sailings and are waiting for further scientific guidance once inoculation becomes more widespread around the globe.
In Britain, Saga Cruises and P & O said that they would require all guests to be fully vaccinated before boarding their ships throughout 2021. Royal Caribbean announced sailings from Israel to Greece in May, where all crew members and passengers over the age of 16 must be vaccinated.
It is really exciting to see how quickly and dramatically the science has advanced, even in just a few weeks, said Richard D. Fain, chairman and C.E.O. of the Royal Caribbean Group. Weve been getting more and more experience with sailings abroad out of Germany, Singapore, the Canary Islands and Italy and we will continue to learn and adapt as new knowledge and scientific discoveries like the vaccine come to the fore.
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Need Help Understanding When Will Cruises Resume In Australia
With so many different ships and announcements being made on any day, it can be a little confusing to figure out when will cruises resume in Australia. Dont worry, were here to help! You can either sign up for our newsletter where well keep you in the loop on the latest cruise resumption news or contact us directly and we can answer any burning questions you might have regarding cruise restart dates, refunds, and so much more. Alternatively, you can follow or like our , , and pages where we regularly post the latest updates on Australian cruise resumption dates. Whether youre wondering when cruises restart in Sydney or when will P& O cruises will resume in Australia, well be the ones wholl keep you posted and in the know as soon as the news is released!
When Will Cruises Resume In Australia
With countries such as the US, UK, Singapore, Japan, and parts of Europe restarting their cruise industry to overwhelming success, you might be wondering when will cruises resume in Australia? The cruise industry and operators across Australia have been working tirelessly to create a safe and stress-free environment for locals to adventure again, and we at Cruise Guru cannot wait till cruises can once again restart and we can #readysetsail!
Hundreds of thousands of guests have already successfully sailed over the last 12 months, and with 141 cruise ships from 50 different operators setting sail in July 2021 alone, its clear to see that when cruises resume, travellers will happily book. Whats more, with new and enhanced methods put in place across every cruise line to reduce and avoid the chance of potential spread, holidaying on the seas has never been safer. With the demand for cruising growing plus health and safety protocols being better than ever, theres only one real question left to ask when will Australian cruises resume?
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Flexibility Will Be Key
According to McGregor, the cruise lines want to make sure you’re comfortable booking a trip and are willing to work with you if you need to make a change. “There are flexible cancellation policies throughout the industry.”
But check the fine print. “Make sure you understand what the lines are requiring,” says McGregor. “What’s the cancellation policy? Is it cash back or a future cruise?”
Evolving Rules And Regulations
Getting to this point where cruises are embarking hasn’t been easy, and regulations are changing by the minute.
For instance, in October 2020, the CDC issued a “framework for conditional sailing order” saying that cruise lines could resume voyages if they follow health and safety rules, including a mandate that a cruise ship must have 98% of its crew and 95% of its passengers fully vaccinated, as well as protocols and policies for social distancing, reduced capacity, face masks, temperature screenings, Covid-19 testing and more.
But on June 18, a federal Florida judge ruled that the CDC’s orders were an overreach of power and issued a preliminary injunction that prevents the CDC from enforcing its guidelines in Florida. In April, the state had sued the CDC, demanding that it allow cruise lines to immediately resume sailing from U.S. ports.
Meanwhile, a new Texas state law says that businesses can’t require vaccines. It hasn’t been determined if this will apply to cruise lines, but Carnival Cruise Line is still planning to start fully vaccinated voyages out of Galveston on July 3.
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Celebrity Cruises: Resumed Sailing June 26
Celebrity Cruises made history as being the first line to make a return to the United States. When Celebrity Edge departed Fort Lauderdale on June 26, it marked the first major ship to sail from the U.S. in roughly 470 days.
Other ships scheduled to sail from America in 2021 include Celebrity Equinox, Millennium, Summit, Reflection, and Apex.
In addition, ships have already returned to other parts of the world.
Cdc Advice For International Cruises
Some cruises have resumed in other regions around the world, such as in parts of Europe, Asia, the South Pacific as well as the Caribbean.
Last week, Royal Caribbean announced that COVID-19 vaccinations will be required for adult guests on its upcoming new sailings from the Bahamas and St. Maarten.
But the CDC currently recommends that “travelers avoid cruise travel worldwide.”
The health body advises people to avoid any travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide “because the risk of COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high.
“Cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19, and outbreaks of COVID-19 have been reported on cruise ships.
“It is especially important that people with an increased risk of severe illness avoid travel on cruise ships, including river cruises,” the CDC warns.
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Cruise & Maritime Voyages
The British-based cruise line has extended its hold on cruises through August 25, 2020. This is due to the lockdown still being in place in many countries along with port closures. Read the details here.
Update 1: The cruise line has gone unto administration and will likely no longer continue its business. As of now, all cruises are canceled permanently. More details about this are here.
- Cruises Resume: Never
- Official Advisory:
Final Thoughts On The New Royal Caribbean Protocols
One thing to keep in mind is that as weâve seen during this entire ordeal, things can change quickly. While we expect many of these changes to stay around for good , others are likely to be eased if there is an improvement in conditions. For now at least, there are a number of new protocols that Royal Caribbean passengers are going to see.
The good news? In our experience, the new policies can take some getting used to at first, but within a day or two on the ship you quickly get the hang of it and donât even really notice.
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Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Original Update: The UK-based cruise line has announced an extension on cancelled cruises just like many other cruise operators. However, the cruise line has not announced a return date and is keeping it open.
Update 1: Fred Olsen has now announced some return dates for its ships towards the end of the year and into 2021.
Update 2: A lot has been going on with the British-based cruise line with two new ships purchased from Holland America Line and new return dates.
Update 3: The cruise line has decided to cancel cruises into 2021 due to the ongoing uncertainty around the world.
Update 4: Fred Olsen Cruises has announced more specific return dates for three cruise ships starting from the end of Spring 2021.
Update 5: In the latest cancellation update, the cruise line removed specific return dates for each ship and now expects all its vessels to start resuming sailings up until the end of June 2021. However, Braemar will remain on hold for much longer until Spring 2022.
Update 6: Fred Olsen will follow several other UK-based cruise operators by offering residents UK domestic sailings to nowhere. Borealis will be the first ship to start from Liverpool on July 5. She will then be followed by Balmoral and Bolette out of different homeports.
- Cruises Resume: End of June/Early July 2021
- UK Domestic Cruises Resume:
Ready To Travel Again Consider A River Cruise
I have just returned from a river cruise in France. I was so ready to travel again.
It was a true joy and a relief to live for a week almost as if the Coronavirus didn’t exist. Please note that I said almost. Precautions were taken.
The camaraderie, the excursions, delicious food, new friends, and fine wine. It was so much fun!
Is it time to travel overseas again? I think yes. It’s time to take a safe, well-considered trip. This was my first in 18 months. I joined Avalon Waterways’ Active & Discovery on the Rhone.
I want to share with you the precautions and why a river cruise made a perfect first trip.
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Shorter Cruises Shipboard Testing And Social Distancing
Under the new rules, cruises are capped at seven days. The CDC will require ships to provide rapid COVID-19 tests of passengers and crew on the days of embarkation and disembarkation.
Future travelers can also expect temperature screenings on embarkation and socially distanced seating everywhere from dining rooms to pool decks. Holland America has said it will convert buffet restaurants to serviced ones.
travelers like that theres a certain ease of travel and a lively party atmosphere, says Jeff Gurtman, managing director of the Coyle Hospitality Group, which has consulted with many cruise lines, including Carnival and Princess. Cruise lines will have to deal with how to ensure safe distancing while providing that feeling of fun.
CDC Recommendations for Travelers
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to recommend avoiding travel on cruise ships, including river cruises, worldwide, because the risk of COVID-19 on cruise ships is very high. It adds that avoiding cruises is especially important for people with an increased risk of severe illness risk that increases with age.
If you do cruise, says the agency, get tested 3-5 days after travel AND stay home for 7 days after travel even if you test negative. If you dont get tested, it recommends staying home for 14 days after your return.
Do You Have To Be Vaccinated To Sail On A Cruise
Royal Caribbean announced last month plans to resume cruising this summer.
All crew members will be vaccinated against COVID-19, while passengers are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated, according to the release. Those who are unvaccinated or unable to verify their vaccinations will need to undergo testing and follow other protocols, although Royal Caribbean has not laid out all of its policies yet.
Back to business:Royal Caribbean is first cruise line to receive CDC approval for a test sailing in US waters
Protocols are more stringent for cruises to Alaska. Passengers on Alaskan-bound ships in July who are 16 and older must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and the age requirement drops to 12 starting Aug. 1. Those departing from international ports must meet the travel requirements of that country.
Bayley said as of Friday, 90% of vacationers booking with Royal Caribbean were either vaccinated or planned to get vaccinated in time for their cruise.
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The Restart Is Underway
The restart of cruise operations is underway by multiple cruise lines already and more will begin resuming through the remainder of 2021. The two largest cruise lines for Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean have already restarted with a limited number of ships from the US as the situation theres is moving forward quickly.
The Celebrity Edge cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean group became the first to restart operations with regular passengers from the US which departed on June 26 out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Freedom of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean International, was the first cruise ship to be approved for a test sailing at the end of June. That was then followed by the vessel resuming out of Miami, Florida on July 2, 2021.
When it comes to Carnival Cruise Line, as of July 21, a total of three ships have already restarted sailings. Carnival Vista was the first to resume in the fleet when she departed Galveston, Texas on July 3, 2021. Carnival Horizon was then the second in the fleet to resume when the ship departed out of Miami, Florida on July 4, 2021. Carnival Breeze was then the third in the fleet and resume from the Port of Galveston on July 15.
In Canada, the situation has just recently made a major step forward towards reopening for cruise ships. On July 15, the government announced that from that have a capacity of over 100. As long as cruise lines follow the health protocols, then they will be able to resume from that date.
When Will River Cruise Lines Resume Service
Amadeus: Amadeus resumed service in Europe for international passengers July 27, 2020
AmaWaterways: July 1, 2021, except Portugal Douro sailings, through June 15, 2021.
American Cruise Lines: ACL restarted in March 2021.
American Queen Steamboat Company: AQSC restarted March 21, 2021.
APT: June 1, 2021
Arena Travel: June 22, 2021
A-ROSA River Cruises: June 16 on the Douro, June 19 on the Danube and June 27 on the Rhine.
Avalon Waterways: July 2021 on the Seine, with Rhine, Danube, Rhône and Moselle to follow.
Captain Cook Cruises : Resumed operations in late 2020.
Century Cruises: Century Cruises restarted for Chinese passengers only on August 12, 2020.
CroisiEurope: June 7, 2021 on the Douro River.
Crystal River Cruises: August 29, 2021
Emerald Waterways: July 31, 2021, on the Douro River. Sailings on the Rhine restart August 19, followed by the Danube on August 30.
Fred. Olsen River Cruises: River voyages are canceled for the 2021 season.
Gate1 Travel: August 1, 2021
Grand Circle: Small ship adventures resume August 2021
Nicko: June 3 on the Douro.
Pandaw: Voyages in Myanmar cancelled until further notice.
Riviera Travel July 2, 2021, on the Douro.
Sanctuary: TBA
Scenic: July 30, 2021 on the Douro.
St. Lawrence Cruise Lines:: July 8, 2021
Tauck: August 2021 with additional departures coming on-line in September 2021
Teeming River Cruises: TBA.
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Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Parent company Norwegian Cruise Line has announced another extension with all sailings on pause through June 30, 2020. Cruises for the luxury line will now start from July 1.
Update 1: The luxury cruise line has announced that cruises will now commence from August 1 after another extension on the pause of operations.
Update 2: Following most other cruise lines, the suspension of operations is now running through October.
Update 3: Following parent company Norwegian Cruise Line announcing a further suspension through December 2020, Regent Seven Seas has also done the same.
Update 4: Parent company Norwegian Cruise Line announced a further pause on operations and that includes ships operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Update 5: Its another round of suspensions for the luxury cruise line which was announced by NCL Holdings on February 26, 2021. This impacts operations through May 31, 2021.
Update 6: On March 16, parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced a further suspension through June 2021. It now means Regent wont resume cruises until July at the very earliest.
Update 7: On April 28, Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced a further suspension through September 30, 2021, which impacts Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner, and Seven Seas Navigator. However, Seven Seas Splendor will begin cruises from the UK on September 11, 2021.
Hand Washing & Sanitization
If youâre sailing on Royal Caribbean, then get ready to clean your hands. Throughout the ship are dozens â if not hundreds â of hand sanitizer dispensers. There are also hand washing stations in many spots.
Anyone who has cruised is familiar with being asked to clean your hands before eating, but itâs all been stepped up a notch. Now, any time you enter a new âareaâ within the ship, there is a crew member asking you to clean your hands.
Letâs say you are shopping around the ship and go in a store. Youâll be asked to use the hand sanitizer. Leave and go to another store right next door? Youâll again be asked to clean your hands.
Head to the casino? Clean your hands. Solarium? Clean your hands. Get used to it.
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Vaccination And Mask Zones
Cruises won’t only be available to people who have been vaccinated but you’ll have a much more enjoyable time if you are.
According to CDC rules, ships that have at least 95% of crew and passengers fully vaccinated can use their discretion when it comes to mask rules. Ships that don’t meet those numbers can have designated areas for fully vaccinated passengers where masks and physical distancing are optional.
Royal Caribbean, for example, just released its new health and safety protocols for the July and August sailings from Miami on Freedom of the Seas. The line will designate some bars, lounges, restaurants, and events for vaccinated guests only, with no masks required. In the Main Dining Room, there will be areas for vaccinated guests to dine separately.
Unvaccinated guests will also need to pay for additional Covid testing.
“It’s expected these sentiments will be mirrored for the line’s other ships, particularly the ones sailing from Florida and Texas,”says travel expert Pauline Frommer.