The main cruise lines plan restarts in different phases in 2021, with the news constantly changing.
Here are the most recent:
Carnival Cruise Line
First navigation: June 1, 2021
Ships: Carnival Liberty and Carnival Miracle
Region: Bahamas and West Coast
Carnival Cruise Line is currently planning to resume service on June 1, with its break in operations in the US extended until May 31.
In January, the brand also announced major implementation and program changes for several ships.
Royal Caribbean International
First navigation: in service
Nava: Quantum of the Seas
Region: Asia
While Quantum of the Seas is already back in operation in Asia, Royal Caribbean now plans to offer cruises from Haifa with the new Sea Odyssey. Starting in June, the ship will offer two- to seven-night itineraries to Greece and Cyprus from Haifa. Cruises are exclusive to Israeli guests and are scheduled until October.
Globally, the break in operations has recently been extended to include all cruises until 31 May.
Crystal Cruises
First navigation: July 3, 2021
Nava: Crystal Serenity
Region: Bahamas
Crystal Cruises will become the first major cruise line to restart service in North America. The luxury brand recently announced plans to operate Crystal Serenity in Nassau and Bimini, with a full Bahamian itinerary.
The new seven-night cruise program starts in July and should be extended at least until October.
MSC Cruises
First navigation: in service
Nava: MSC Grandiosa
Region: Mediterranean
One of the first major cruise lines to greet guests back, MSC Cruises operates in the Mediterranean Sea with MSC Grandiosa. Offering an itinerary with visits to Italy and Malta, the ship should be joined by MSC Seaside from 1 May.
Meanwhile, the temporary break in US navigation was further extended, canceling all cruises until May 31.
Norwegian Cruise Line
First navigation: June 4, 2021
Nava: Norwegian Epic
Region: Mediterranean
In February, Norwegian Cruise Line announced another extension of its service break, now affecting all scheduled crossings until May 31. Now, the brand’s first scheduled cruise will depart on June 4, with Norwegian Epic. The ship is sailing from Civitavecchia (Italy) to five destinations in the Western Mediterranean.
While extending the break, the company also said it was continuing to work on a return-to-work plan to meet the requirements of the US Navigation Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Costa Cruises
First navigation: March 27, 2021
Nava: Costa Smeralda
Region: Western Italy
Costa Cruises is ready to return to operation on March 27, with a new program in the Mediterranean. The Costa Smeralda will be the first ship to greet guests back, with three-, four- and seven-night cruises to Italian ports.
From May, the Costa Luminosa will start sailing to Italy and Croatia, while Smeralda should add calls to France and Spain to its itineraries.
In the last year, Costa has reactivated a total of three ships, but was forced to suspend all operations again in December.
Disney Cruise Line
First navigation: June 4, 2021
Ship: Disney’s dream
Region: Bahamas
According to other US operators, Disney Cruise Line has canceled its entire operation until May 31. Now, Disney Dream could welcome guests back on June 4 for a three-night cruise in the Bahamas from Port Canaveral.
After bringing its ships back to the US in November, the brand also canceled additional cruises on Disney Wonder and Disney Magic, which were to operate in Alaska and Europe.
Princess cruises
First crossings: July 1, 2021
Ships: Diamond Princess and Ruby Princess
Region: Japan and West Coast
Princess Cruises has recently extended its global operational break to include all crossings until June 30. With the change, the first scheduled sailings for the brand’s fleet are set to sail on July 1, in Asia and the West Coast.
While cruises have been further canceled in some destinations, Princess also intends to offer new domestic flights to the UK. Exclusively for local residents, sailing will begin in late summer on the Royal Princess and Sky Princess.
Genting cruise lines
First crossings: in service
Ships: Dream of the world and Dream of the explorer
Region: Asia – Singapore and Taiwan
In February, Dream Cruises expanded its short cruise program to Singapore until June 27. On board the World Dream, the sailings are intended for the local public and have been operating since November.
Meanwhile, Dream Explorer has been sailing in Taiwan since July with island itineraries.
AIDA Cruises
First navigation: March 20
Nava: AIDAperla
Region: Canary Islands
While cruises to other destinations have been canceled by mid-May, AIDA Cruises plans to resume service in the Canary Islands later this month.
On March 20, AIDAperla will start offering a one-week itinerary on the Spanish archipelago.
Star cruises
First navigation: June 1
Nava: Celebrity Infinity
Region: Eastern Mediterranean
According to other Royal Caribbean Group brands, Celebrity Cruises this month extended the suspension of navigation for its global fleet. Now, all crossings until May 31 are canceled.
The first cruise currently scheduled for the company’s fleet will sail in June. At that time, Celebrity Infinity will sail from Venice to Turkey and the Greek Islands.
Holland America Line
First navigation: July 1
Nava: Volendam
Region: Mediterranean
Following the severance of Mediterranean ships by June, Holland America Line could return to service on July 1 with Volendam.
Other summer itineraries to Alaska and Canada / New England are questionable after Canada’s extended ban on cruise ships.
TUI cruises
First navigation: in service
Ships: Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2
Region: Canary Islands
With a program in Northern Europe, TUI Cruises was one of the first cruise lines to start sailing on July 23. The German brand currently operates in the Canary Islands, with Mein Schiff 2 and Mein Schiff 1.
Windstar Cruises
First navigation: June 10
Ship: The spirit of the wind
Region: Tahiti
In February, Windstar Cruises outlined a new return to service plan for its fleet. Now, the company plans to greet guests back on June 10 with a Tahiti cruise aboard the Wind Spirit.
Azamara
First navigation: July 10
Ship: Azamara Pursuit
Region: Eastern Mediterranean
Now an independent brand, Azamara has recently extended its break in operations to include all shipments until June 30. With the change, the company could resume operations on July 10, with Azamara Pursuit in the eastern Mediterranean.
However, Azamara’s new ship, the current Pacific Princess, should be up and running in 2022.
Silversea Cruises
First navigation: May 28
Nava: Silver Explorer
Region: Kimberley, Australia
Silversea Cruises canceled all cruises until May 27. The Royal Caribbean luxury brand now plans to return to operation on May 28 with Silver Explorer. On that day, the expedition ship will sail on a nine-night cruise in the Australian region of Kimberly.
Virgin Voyages
First navigation: July 1
Ship: Scarlet Lady
Region: Caribbean
Virgin’s inaugural cruise is currently scheduled for July 1, with 2,770 Scarlet Lady guests sailing from Miami to the Caribbean.
The second ship of the brand also had a delayed introduction. Valiant Lady had the Mediterranean season postponed until 2022 and is scheduled to debut on November 14 in the Caribbean.