Royal Caribbean Resumes Cruising In July, Vaccines Not Required

MIAMI, FL — Royal Caribbean International will embark on its first cruise since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic over the Fourth of July weekend with a Caribbean trip aboard the Freedom of the Seas, according to a news release Michael Bayley, CEO, shared to his Facebook page Friday afternoon.

Initially, the company was told by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it was required to launch a simulated cruise before it could resume a regular cruising itinerary. A voyage onboard the Freedom of the Seas to test the company's COVID-19 protocols had been approved for June 20-22, according to a letter from the Department of Health and Human Services that Bayley shared on Facebook in May.

The cruise line’s first post-COVID-19 comeback voyage departs from PortMiami July 2 and will travel to Perfect Day at CocoCay, which is owned by Royal Caribbean.

After this inaugural voyage, six of the company’s award-winning ships will begin sailing from major U.S. cruise ports in Florida and Texas in July and August, according to the news release. By the end of August, 12 Royal Caribbean ships will be cruising once again across The Bahamas, Caribbean, Alaska and Europe.

On the heels of the first cruise in Royal Caribbean’s return to the U.S. will be the debut of the brand-new Odyssey of the Seas July 3. This ship will set sail from Fort Lauderdale on new six- and eight-night Caribbean cruises, to soon be followed by Allure, Symphony, Independence and Mariner of the Seas, the company said.

In the coming weeks, the cruise line will announce its plans to reintroduce its full fleet around the world by year’s end. The 2021 summer cruises are available to book immediately.

All crew members will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and “guests are strongly recommended to set sail fully vaccinated, if they are eligible,” the cruise line said. Travelers who aren’t vaccinated or who can’t verify their vaccination are required to undergo coronavirus testing and other safety protocols before board.

Vacationers sailing to Alaska who are 16 or older must be full vaccinated prior to Aug. 1. After that date, everyone 12 and older must be vaccinated.

Those departing from an international port must meet the travel requirements of their home country and the country of their departure.

“This is it. Vacationers can finally plan to take their precious time off this summer and truly get away after what has been a challenging time for everyone. I would like to sincerely thank our guests and travel partners for their incredible patience and understanding during this very difficult period,” Bayley said. “Thanks in large part to the successful rollout of vaccines, the world of adventure is beginning to open up, and we are all excited to start delivering great vacations to our guests, who have increasingly told us they are getting vaccinated. As of today, 90 (percent) of all vacationers booking with Royal Caribbean are either vaccinated or planning to get vaccinated in time for their cruise.”

Royal Caribbean’s newly revealed cruise vacations offer a range of itineraries that vary in length and destination, ease and flexibility in booking, and convenient departure ports across the U.S. Whether departing Florida on two of the world’s largest cruise ships, cruising from Texas to discover the best of the western Caribbean or venturing out to cooler temps to explore the wilds of Alaska, there is something for everyone.

Royal Caribbean’s full summer lineup includes:

• Freedom of the Seas: three- and four-night Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay sailings from Miami, starting July 2.

• Odyssey of the Seas: six- and eight-night Southern and Western Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale, starting July 3.

• Serenade of the Seas: seven-night Alaska sailings from Seattle, starting July 19.

• Allure of the Seas: seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Canaveral, starting Aug. 8.

• Ovation of the Seas: seven-night Alaska itineraries from Seattle, starting Aug. 13.

• Symphony of the Seas: seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from Miami, starting Aug. 14.

• Independence of the Seas: seven-night Western Caribbean sailings from Galveston, Texas, starting Aug. 15.

• Mariner of the Seas: three- and four-night Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay sailings from Port Canaveral, starting Aug. 23.

The expanded summer lineup includes international ports like Barcelona and Rome when Harmony of the Seas returns to Europe. Starting Aug. 15, the Oasis Class ship will set sail on seven-night itineraries to the Western Mediterranean and visit destinations like Palma de Mallorca, Spain and Provence, France.

The new U.S and Europe cruises extend Royal Caribbean’s previously announced plans to return to sailing, which include Adventure of the Seas departing from The Bahamas on June 12 as well as Anthem of the Seas sailing out of the U.K. and Jewel of the Seas from Cyprus in July. The complete list of Royal Caribbean’s 2021 cruises will be available online here.