I’ve never been on a cruise; it’s long been on my bucket list. For me, an Alaska cruise would be the ultimate experience.
Still, I know many people prefer sun and sand, so this is welcome news: in June two Royal Caribbean Group ships will resume cruising in the Caribbean.
It’s been nearly a year since most sailings paused.
There are, however, health requirements. All passengers aged 18 and older must be fully vaccinated, and everyone must present a negative COVID-19 test taken within 72 hours before boarding.
That requirement will exclude some travelers who cannot be vaccinated.
Celebrity Millennium is scheduled to relaunch on June 5 from St. Maarten. One itinerary will call at Aruba, Curaçao, and Barbados; an alternative itinerary will visit Tortola, St. Lucia, and Barbados.
Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas will return to service a week later, sailing from Nassau and visiting destinations in the Bahamas.
With the Caribbean such a popular destination, it’s not entirely surprising to see both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean finding a way to return to the region. But it is massive news for the cruise industry, and for the Caribbean itself.
said Colleen McDaniel, editor of Cruise Critic, a website that reviews cruises
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention paused cruise ship operations in U.S. waters last March. Crew members heading back to work are also required to be fully vaccinated.
Cruises to Alaska will remain on hold longer because the Canadian government has banned cruise ships carrying more than 100 passengers. That restriction is in effect through February 2022 and prevents many vessels from calling on Alaska ports that require transit through Canadian waters.
