The major cruise lines are planning restarts in various phases in 2021 with news changing constantly.
Here’s the latest:
Carnival Cruise Line
First sailing: June 1, 2021
Ships: Carnival Liberty and Carnival Miracle
Region: Bahamas and West Coast
Carnival Cruise Line currently plans a service resumption on June 1, with its pause in operations in the U.S. extended through May 31.
In January, the brand also announced major deployment and schedule changes for a few ships..
Royal Caribbean International
First sailing: In service
Ship: Quantum of the Seas
Region: Asia
While the Quantum of the Seas is already back in service in Asia, Royal Caribbean now plans to offer cruises from Haifa with the new Odyssey of the Seas. Starting in June, the vessel will offer two- to seven-night itineraries to Greece and Cyprus from Haifa. The cruises are exclusive to Israeli guests and are scheduled until October.
Globally, the pause in operations was recently extended to include all cruises until May 31.
Crystal Cruises
First sailing: July 3, 2021
Ship: Crystal Serenity
Region: Bahamas
Crystal Cruises is set to become the first major cruise line to restart service in North America. The luxury brand recently announced plans to operate the Crystal Serenity from Nassau and Bimini, with an all-Bahamian itinerary.
The new program of seven-night cruises starts in July and should extend until, at least, October.
MSC Cruises
First sailing: In service
Ship: MSC Grandiosa
Region: Mediterranean
One of the first major cruise lines to welcome guests back, MSC Cruises is operating in the Mediterranean with the MSC Grandiosa. Offering an itinerary with visits to Italy and Malta, the vessel should be joined by the MSC Seaside starting on May 1.
Meanwhile, the temporary pause of U.S.-based sailings was further extended, cancelling all cruises until May 31.
Norwegian Cruise Line
First sailing: June 4, 2021
Ship: Norwegian Epic
Region: Mediterranean
In February, Norwegian Cruise Line announced another extension of its pause of service, now affecting all sailings scheduled until through May 31. Now, the brand’s first scheduled cruise is set to depart on June 4, with the Norwegian Epic. The vessel sails from Civitavecchia (Italy) to five destinations in the Western Mediterranean.
While extending the pause, the company also affirmed it remains working on a return to service plan to meet the requirements of the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Costa Cruises
First sailing: March 27, 2021
Ship: Costa Smeralda
Region: Western Italy
Costa Cruises is poised to return to service on March 27, with a new program in the Mediterranean. The Costa Smeralda will be the first ship to welcome guests back, with three-, four-, and seven-night cruises to Italian ports to start.
From May, the Costa Luminosa is set to start sailing…
Read More: Latest Update: When the Major Cruise Lines Plan to Sail Again – Cruise