Cruise Covid Update: Full Restart Comes Into Focus

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

The world of cruise travel sailed a bit closer to full operation this week, recently updating COVID-related restart changes. These moves provide further evidence of what the new normal cruise travel experience will be like.

  • Australia Postponed- Princess Cruises is extending its pause in cruise vacations in Australia/New Zealand to January 27, 2022, due to the uncertainty around the return of cruising in the region.As a result of the pause extension, Coral Princess voyages through January 17 are cancelled and Royal Princess and Sapphire Princess seasons through to March 2022 are being cancelled.`
  • International Travelers Return To United States- Under the opening-back-up federal guidelines announced Monday, international visitors will have to provide proof of vaccination and a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours of boarding flights to the U.S. We’ll no doubt see the result here in Orlando. I’ll pass along what I see.
  • Crystal River Cruises extended their fleetwide vaccine requirement through 2022. All crew must be fully vaccinated 14 days prior to embarkation, as well as 100% of guests aboard their River ships and all age-eligible guests (currently 12 and older) aboard our Ocean and Expedition ships.
  • Windstar Cruises is the latest to offer a more inclusive travel experience with their All-In Package which now includes unlimited alcoholic beverages, unlimited Wi-Fi, and all gratuities.
  • Royal Caribbean‘s Healthy Sail Center is making test requirements easy, selling and processing COVID pre-cruise test kits safely and providing a consistent source of tests and their resulting information.
  • Carnival Cruise Line‘s Have Fun. Be Safe protocols and procedures have been developed in consultation with medical experts, always a plus when we’re talking science. Designed to be effective and adaptable as the COVID situation evolves, Carnival will continue to operate vaccinated cruises as defined by the CDC. FYI: Carnival crew is already fully vaccinated.

As we consider future cruise plans, perhaps for the second half of 2022 forward, overall cruise line long term plans for passengers are beginning to come into focus. We’ll update you here when significant restart changes occur industry-wide. Stay tuned! This won’t last forever!