Where is it safe to go on a cruise in 2021

More than a year after Covid-19 stopped cruise ships, there are clear signs that the cruise could return.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported this month that cruises could resume by mid-summer – with restrictions – in a cheerful move by cruise operators and enthusiasts.

This follows months of growing pressure from the industry, which claims it has been unfairly treated because of coronavirus restrictions, prompting Carnival to consider relocating ships and suing Florida government Ron DeSantis.

However, with government regulations and vaccination launches varying around the globe, seafarers have a lot to navigate. CNBC’s Global Traveler looked at what to expect from cruises in 2021.

Departures from the US port currently remain unrestricted under CDC guidelines, despite resumption calls until July 1. This includes major cruise trips to Alaska, where Gov. Mike Dunleavy is threatening legal action.

The Caribbean, however, is steaming ahead – as long as passengers leave the islands.

From June, Royal Caribbean will run a series of routes around the region, starting in the Bahamas and Sint Maarten. Crystal Cruises will start in the Bahamas in June, while the Norwegian will start in August, with departures from Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.

And Europe is on a cruise.

Greece is the favorite destination of many operators, with Norwegian and luxury lines Celebrity Cruises, Seaborn and Ponant all planning routes with port stops around the Greek islands this summer. MSC Cruises will also run a series of itineraries across Europe from May, with calls to locations in Italy, Malta, France, Spain, Greece, Croatia and Montenegro.

Venice is included in the MSC Cruises routes, although boarding from the city’s historic port will soon be a thing of the past, as Italian officials have indicated that cruise ships will be redirected to the nearby industrial port under new environmental regulations.

However, some operators, including MSC Cruises, only serve passengers living in the Schengen area of ​​the European Union. International visitors should take note of any restrictions on residence and flight in the country of embarkation before booking.

Meanwhile, the so-called “nowhere cruises” remain in full swing. As round trips without ports of call and mandatory pre-departure tests, they are seen as a low-risk option for tourists seeking an escape.

Holidays without a destination in Singapore proved so popular that last month city-state cruises accounted for a third of the industry’s total number of passengers, with Royal Caribbean and Genting operating to extend their seasons through October.

In the UK, companies are also part of this idea. Starting in June, P&O, Princess Cruises, Disney, MSC Cruises, Virgin Voyages and Royal Caribbean will sail around the British Isles – many with domestic ports of call.

For the most part, cruises will only be available to those who have been vaccinated.

In January, British operator Saga Cruises was dismayed when it became the first cruise line to introduce mandatory vaccination. But now companies recognize it as the norm, said Tom McAlpin, CEO and president of Virgin Voyages, Richard Branson’s adult-only cruise line.

“We know this is the future,” McAlpin said. “As an adult-only cruise line, we are able to provide an extremely controlled and safe environment for everyone on board.”

Crystal Cruises, Norwegian, P&O, Viking and Celebrity Cruises followed suit, introducing vaccination requirements for adult passengers. Royal Caribbean has made vaccines mandatory for some routes, including in the Caribbean, while Carnival Cruises has not yet announced any such measures.

The emphasis on health and safety will extend to the experience on board. Buffets will no longer be available, and entertainment may be limited, as cleanliness is central.

“While traditionally, the act of keeping a ship clean would have been done in the background …” housekeeping theater “will be of greater interest to consumers, and hospitality brands will have cleaning protocols in front of them. and in the center, ”said Elle Kross, strategy director at digital marketing firm Movable Ink.

Meanwhile, passengers can expect new technologies, from virtual queues and contactless payments to thermal temperature checks and UV sanitation, to reduce personal contact on board.

“Operators have done a lot of work … using modern technology, implementing new processes and training employees to work with new policies and guidelines,” said Vijay Achanti, North American hospitality director at global consulting firm Capgemini.

Given new measures and announcing more routes, tourists seem to be gaining confidence. Bookings for 2021 have ended, with Crystal Cruises making the largest one-day booking in its 30-year history last month.

The route ahead seems even clearer. Advanced US cruise ticket sales for 2022 so far exceed those observed in 2019 for the 2020 season, according to Google data analyzed by travel site Trips to Discover, as travelers plan new and rescheduled trips.

Most of these bookings continue to come from regular cruisers, Movable Ink’s Kross said. Last month, Carnival reported that 55% of its bookings by 2021 come from “brand loyalists”. But even newcomers are beginning to see cruises as a slice of “preconceived normalcy,” she said.

However, many do so with caution, said Jeanie Johnson of Minnesota tour operator Jeanie’s Journey, which noted that most tourists opt for apartments and cabins with balconies.

“Even though these cruisers are completely vaccinated and ready to go, they are a little cautious,” she continued. “They want to be able to access the outside … just in case.”