New York Daily News: MANHATTAN, NY – They hope it’s smooth sailing.
Beginning in early June, Royal Caribbean will relaunch two cruise ships from different Caribbean ports.
The cruise ship giant will require all adult passengers to be vaccinated against COVID-19, and any travelers under age 18 will have to test negative, according to a Friday press release. All crew members will be vaccinated.
The first ship, the Celebrity Millennium, will depart from the island of St. Maarten, east of Puerto Rico, on June 5 for seven-day journey. The second cruiseliner, Adventure of the Seas, will leave June 12 from Nassau, the Bahamas for a different seven-day itinerary.
Royal Caribbean plans to run both lines through August.
Cruise ships are currently banned from departing from or visiting U.S. ports. Canada has banned cruise ships through February 2022; the U.S. ban has no known end date.
Royal Caribbean did not announce any COVID-specific protocols for the trips.
“We believe starting with cruises for vaccinated adult guests and crew is the right choice,” president and CEO Michael Bayley said. “As we move forward, we expect this requirement and other measures will inevitably evolve over time.”
The cruise ship industry and associated tourism economies have been devastated by the pandemic, which has essentially shut down cruising in the Western Hemisphere since March 2020.
