The CDC approved the line to conduct a two-day simulated cruise onboard Freedom of the Seas from June 20 to 22. The ship will sail from Miami as part of the CDC’s Conditional Sail Order (CSO).
Under the CSO, the CDC outlines five conditions for the test cruise including sailing the ship, “at least 10 percent of the maximum number of passengers permitted onboard.”
Test cruises are for lines that will not be carrying vaccinated passengers. In contrast lines carrying fully vaccinated guests do not have to run test cruises.
CDC Gives Okay for First Royal Caribbean Test Cruise
Travel industry insiders are hailing the approval as a strong indicator that cruises will resume from the U.S. by early July.
Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley broke the news on Facebook: “After 15 months and so much work by so many during very challenging times. To all our colleagues, loyal guests and supporters all over the world I am proud and pleased to share some bright and wonderful news ! Boom ! Onwards and upwards team !”
Shortly thereafter Royal Caribbean released the following statement: “After 15 months of hard work and collaboration, today’s approval of our simulated cruises is the latest promising step in our path to return to sailing in the U.S. We look forward to welcoming our crew, loyal guests and supporters from around the world this summer.”
First Royal Caribbean Test Cruise From Miami In June
Test cruises allow family-friendly lines such as Royal Caribbean to skip the ruling that requires COVID-19 vaccinations for 98 percent of passengers and 95 percent of crew. It is expected that this summer there will be a mix of fully vaccinated cruises and those with a mixture of vaxxed and unvaxxed individuals.
In May the CDC released guidance on how the cruise industry could conduct the test cruises while announcing that it would give guidance to help cruising resume by mid-July. According to the CDC, cruise ships that pass the test cruise phase will be permitted to sail with passengers.
In their latest announcement the CDC said, “The CDC is committed to working with the cruise industry and seaport partners to resume cruising following the phased approach outlined in the CSO.”
CDC Gives Royal Caribbean Permission to Test Cruise From Miami
Their statement continued: “Over the past month, senior leadership from CDC have met multiple times a week with cruise line senior executives to discuss the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO).
During these meetings, participants asked questions and discussed the fastest path back to sailing without compromising safety. CDC and the cruise industry agree that the industry has what it needs to move forward and no additional roadblocks exist for resuming sailing by mid-summer.”
Share your thoughts in the comments section below, on our Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest!
Photos credit: Royal Caribbean