Carnival Cruise Line’s newest cruise ship, Mardi Gras, just spent two days at sea, giving guests the chance to explore every corner of the vessel fully. However, just after dinner last night, the vessel encountered something that drew the attention of the watch officer, Captain, Hotel Manager, and Carnival’s ambassador John Heald.
Mardi Gras Encounters Half-Sunken Ship and Activates Rescue Procedures
Just after 10 p.m. on Monday, August 2, Mardi Gras’ watch officer encountered a nearly entirely submerged ship with just the bow coming up from the ocean’s surface. As the ship was not a known wreck and not marked on any charts, Mardi Gras’ officers took immediate action.
With the powerful spotlights mounted on the ship, the Captain immediately changed course and scanned the vessel for any signs of life. Neither the half-sunken vessel nor the immediate surroundings showed any signs of human activity.
Mardi Gras Track (Photo Credit: John Heald)
As cruise director Chris was doing a show, it was up to Brand Ambassador John Heald to inform the guests of what was happening around the vessel. Unsurprisingly, with the ship making sudden course changes and the many spotlights searching the ocean for survivors, guests quickly caught up on what was happening.
“Now obviously the guests had seen this massive spectrum of light and the boat wreck and were lining the open decks and on their balconies so I switched myself over to soft spoken CD mode and let everyone know what was happening.”
“My announcement included the fact that we as a company were committed to aiding and helping those in peril on the sea. I explained that no distress fares had been sighted, that a full sweep of the area showed no signs of life and that the position of the wreck had been reported to the U.S. Coast Guard. Finishing with our hopes that those on the boat had been rescued I say goodnight.”
After the ship had performed a figure eight looking for any survivors, the vessel continued on its route to Puerto Rico.
Mardi Gras Arriving in San Juan (Photo Credit: Puerto Rico Tourism Company)
Rescues at Sea
As John Heald notes above, Carnival is committed to aiding those at sea. This has been shown multiple times, for example, in October of 2020 when Carnival Sensation came to the rescue of a small boat with 24 people on board. The boat was in distress in international waters 37 miles off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida.
A short while later, in November of 2020, Carnival Ecstasy came to the rescue of a crew member of a small yacht who had sustained multiple injuries around the Bahamas. The list of ship rescues is a long one and signifies that although cruising has become incredibly safe in the last 50 years, life at sea still has its dangers.
Carnival Ecstasy November 2020 Rescue
Life Onboard Mardi Gras
While the appearance of a mystery ship half sunk in the ocean was undoubtedly something guests will remember, life onboard Mardi Gras has been delightful for both the guests and the crew, it seems.
As John Heald reported: “Last night showed yet again how brilliantly designed this ship is. Everyone was out having fun, eating and drinking and enjoying the live entertainment and shows and the first round of Family Feud. Cucina del Capitano and ChiBang served wonderful food for no added charge with each restaurant serving 400 (Cuccina) and 600 (Chiang) people, all of whom enjoyed brilliant service and wonderful food.“
“The crew are still getting to know the galley and the service and the menus so things will only get better and it is easy to forget that this is the first cruise of a brand new class of ship and the first time these brilliant men and women have worked like this in 17 months.“
Mardi Gras is in Puerto Rico today on what is her first-ever port of call. After this call, Carnival’s newest mega-ship will sail to Amber Cove in the Dominican Republic and, after a day at sea, Nassau in the Bahamas. She is expected to return to Port Canaveral on August 7.
After months of speculation, a Chinese river cruise operator has confirmed it will be deploying the former Carnival Cruise ship, Carnival Fascination, in and around China as a cruise ship. Reports abounded last year when Carnival sold the vessel she would be turned into a floating hotel or scrapped. But none of that seems to be the case.
Chongqing Grand Century Cruises Ltd, also known as Century Cruises, is a cruise company focused primarily on river cruises in China, operating nine river vessels on the Yangtze River, which has expanded and offers Ocean cruises. Carnival Fascination will be sailing under her new name Century Harmony.
Carnival Fascination Sails Under New Name and Cruise Line
In May of this year, we could report that the vessel started undergoing upgrades and maintenance and start her second career as a cruise ship in China. She is currently in Manila Bay, Philippines, and looks much better than seven months ago, as can be seen in the image below, although she still looks very much like a Carnival ship with the tell-tale tail.
Century Cruises said,“We felt restless and ready to go further east, to the ocean. As a result, Century Cruises acquired an ocean-going ship called Century HARMONY! “
Built in 1994, the 70,367 tons Century Harmony will have space for 2056 guests in 1026 cabins. Century Cruises has planned to keep most of the features that were previously on Carnival Fascination the same.
The Sensation and Imagination dining rooms (although named differently), lido restaurant, and even a Burger Joint bar (yes, that’s the former Guy’s Burgers) will keep their place onboard. You can also watch a brief video of the Century Harmony having some work done right here.
Photo Credit: Tony Davis
Other outlets guests will enjoy will be a sushi bar, shops, a kid’s club, spa, 24-hour arcade area, basketball/volleyball court, table tennis, and a 9-hole Mini-Golf course.
Century Harmony Cruising In China
For many, the thought of taking a cruise in China would be a faraway thought given the travel distances and restrictions in place right now. However, the industry has seen enormous growth in the largest country in the world in the last ten years.
River cruises on the Yangtze River have become more and more popular with local and foreign tourists, while companies like Royal Caribbean and Carnival Corporation have been putting more and more emphasis on growth in the Chinese market.
As the largest operator on the Yangtze River, Century Cruises has been waiting for the right time to start ocean cruises in China, which has come with Carnival Fascination.
The cruise line said,“After a long year of uncertainty in the cruise industry all across the globe, the new acquisition is a kingpin to better things to come. Ocean Cruises has always been on the mind of Century Cruises, having seen a huge number of international cruise operators passing through the ports of Shanghai, Shenzhen, Sanya, Tianjin, Hong Kong, and Macau. Now, as the leading Cruise company in China, having been “born and bred” in China, we can offer unique insights into this majestic country, based on our deep knowledge and wide experience.”
Century Cruises is one of the first companies based in China to start operating cruises around the Chinese mainland. Other companies with operations in the area are Genting, which operates Asia’s largest cruise line’s Dream Cruises, and Star Cruises. Other operators are the Chinese state-owned Nanhai Cruises and state-owned Bohai Cruises, which operates the MS Chinese Taishan, formerly known as Costa Voyager.
The major cruise companies are also heavily invested in the country, which is still seen as a significant growth market. Costa Venetia and Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas are designated for China.
A deal between Carnival Cruise Line and China State Shipbuilding Corporation will see Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea sail with Chinese passengers under the new joint venture CSSC Carnival. Outbound China travelers were expected to reach 200 million by 2020, obviously delayed by the pandemic, yet, China is projected to become the largest cruise market in the world eventually.
This post is no longer kept updated and is used to look back at how the cruise industry was impacted by the COVID shutdown.
The cruise industry is well and truly in comeback mode! We’ll take a look at when cruises will resume worldwide and the situation in major cruise markets, including the UK, US, Canada, and Australia.
The restart of cruise operations is underway by multiple cruise lines already, and more will begin resuming by the remainder of 2021. The two largest cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean, have already restarted with a limited number of ships from the US as the situation there is moving forward quickly.
The Celebrity Edge cruise ship owned by Royal Caribbean group became the first to restart operations with regular passengers from the US which departed on June 26 out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Freedom of the Seas, operated by Royal Caribbean International, was the first cruise ship to be approved for a test sailing at the end of June. That was then followed by the vessel resuming out of Miami, Florida on July 2, 2021.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
When it comes to Carnival Cruise Line, as of July 21, a total of three ships have already restarted sailings. Carnival Vista was the first to resume in the fleet when she departed Galveston, Texas on July 3, 2021. Carnival Horizon was then the second in the fleet to resume when the ship departed out of Miami, Florida on July 4, 2021. Carnival Breeze was then the third in the fleet and resume from the Port of Galveston on July 15.
In Canada, the situation has just recently made a major step forward towards reopening for cruise ships. On July 15, the government announced that from November 1st, 2021 the country would end the ban on passenger vessels that have a capacity of over 100. As long as cruise lines follow the health protocols, then they will be able to resume from that date.
It comes after a long shutdown in the cruise industry, which was first implemented in Spring 2020. The ban on cruise ships was previously set to expire on February 28, 2022. Even more good news for the cruise industry is that the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act was signed by President Biden on May 25, and this now means that cruise lines can resume operations out of Seattle, Washington, to Alaska temporarily, not needing to visit Canada.
In the UK, the cruise industry has made a return with MSC Virtuosa becoming the first cruise ship to depart from the country since suspensions first began in March 2020. The new MSC vessel departed on May 21, and through the summer, many cruise lines are following with domestic sailings.
Photo Courtesy: MSC Cruises
For operations in Australia, the outlook is not looking so positive with the government deciding on a further ban on cruise ships into September 2021. For Europe, there has already been a limited number of ships sailing since 2020, and more ships are gradually making a return with MSC Cruises leading the way.
The major cruise lines are making sure crew members are fully vaccinated before ships return to service. Several US homeports continue to vaccinate the crew. So far, not all cruise lines have decided on a passenger vaccine mandate on US operations.
When Each Cruise Line Plans on Resuming Operations
Here’s the constantly changing list of when cruise lines will return to service which will likely be phased in with a limited guest capacity and new health measures: The list was last updated: July 21, 2021
Aida Cruises
Original Update: The German-based cruise line, which is owned by the Carnival Corporation, has its hold on cruises through June 30, 2020, with the first sailings now planned to begin from July 1.
Update 1: The cruise line has now announced an extension that will last through all of July with sailings set to begin from August 1.
Update 2: Aida Cruises announced that cruises with ports in the United States or Canada will be cancelled until 2021.
Update 3: After a delay, Aida Cruises will commence cruises on September 6 but only with a limited number of vessels with the majority of the fleet on hold through the month.
Update 4: The return has not been so easy and Aida Cruises has delayed resuming operations until November 2020 due to continued restrictions.
Update 5: Aida has been able to get cruises from Italy approved for even earlier in October but the sailings will only call to Italian ports.
Update 6: With the German government announcing a lockdown due to increased cases of COVID-19, Aida Cruises has temporarily cancelled departures until December. U.S. cruises and everywhere else remain on hold into 2021.
Update 7: The Carnival-owned cruise line will begin cruises in the Canary island from December 5, 2020 with the AIDAperla.
Update 8: With Germany in a more restricted lockdown until at least January 31, 2021, AIDA Cruises announced further cancelations on January 8 impacting a number of sailings.
Update 9: On February 16 2021 AIDA Cruises announced that it will restart its cruise season. AIDAperla will kickstart cruises out of the Canary Islands on March 20, 2021. Also, cruises out of Germany are unable to take place through March 19, 2021.
Update 10: On March 5, the German-based cruise line announced further cancellations into April across Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Adriatic Sea, and Norway. However, some good news is that AIDAperla will extend its season sailing the Canary Islands.
Update 11: On May 6, 2021, AIDA Cruises announced that AIDAsol will restart operations out of Kiel, Germany on May 22. The cruise line has also extended its Canary Islands season through July 2021.
Update 12: The cruise line plans to expand its program out of Kiel, Germany due to high demand. A Spinx-class vessel will be deployed from August 15 with the first four-day short cruise to Gdynia, followed by a three-day cruise to Gothenburg.
Cruises Resume: April & May 2021
Cruises from Germany Resume: May 22, 2021
Azamara
Original Update: The small luxury cruise line has cancelled all cruises on or before June 11, 2020, with cruises resuming on June 12, 2020. The cruise line was previously planning on starting sailings once again on May 12 but due to the situation around the world, it was extended.
Update 1: The cruise line has paused cruises through all of July with the first departures set for August which is in-line with many other cruise lines. This extension comes after consultation by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
Update 2: Following the extended CDC order, Azamara has extended its pause on cruises through all of September.
Update 3: Following the announcement by the Cruise Lines International Association (CDC) the cruise line extended its suspension through October 2020.
Update 5: All cruises are now cancelled for the remainder of 2020 and those guests affected are being compensated. The cruise line will return with new health measures in 2021.
Update 6: It was announced by the destination-focused cruise operated that cruises won’t resume until Spring 2021.
Update 7: The small cruise line that is owned by Royal Caribbean has suspended all operations through April 30, 2021. The announcement was made on January 12 by the parent company.
Update 8: The small cruise line which is no longer owned by Royal Caribbean announced a further suspension on February 28, 2021, through June 30, 2021.
Update 9: On April 27, Azamara released a new update on cruise operations and the Azamara Quest will now begin sailings out of Greece from August 28, 2021. However, regular sailings are canceled departing on or before October 2, 2021.
Azamara Quest Cruises from Greece Resume: August 28, 2021
Azamara Journey Cruises Resume: October 13, 2021
Azamara Pursuit Cruises Resume: September 28, 2021
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line
Original Update: The cruise line, which is based out of West Palm Beach, Florida, has remained silent through early 2021. Announced on April 9, the small cruise line will make a comeback with short cruises to the Bahamas starting on July 2, 2021.
Update 1: In a recent development from Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line, Grand Classica has been approved by the CDC to operated a simulated voyage. The ship will depart on June 25 on a 2-night test cruise to stress test health protocols as per the CDC Conditional Sailing Order requirements.
Update 2: In early July, the cruise line altered its return to service date and its planned simulated cruise. The test cruise finally departed out of West Palm Beach, Florida on July 13 with cruises officially restarting from July 16.
Cruises Resume: July 16, 2021
Carnival Cruise Line
Original Update: Carnival Cruise Line announced on April 13 another extension on its voluntary suspension of cruise operations. At the moment, the cruise line plans on resuming cruises in North America on June 27, 2020.
Update 1: Eight cruise ships will resume sailings in August and the majority of the fleet will start cruises until September 2020.
Update 2: As a result of the CLIA voluntary suspension, Carnival followed a few days later by extending the cancellation of cruises from the U.S.
Update 3: The suspension of cruises in the U.S. has been extended once again through all of October 2020 as announced by the CLIA. Read the details from Carnival right here.
Update 4: The cruise line suspended operations again impacting two cruise ships based out of Australia.
Update 5: Lots of fleet changes recently announced by Carnival due to dry docks and the disposal of Fantasy-class vessels.
Update 6: The cruise line announced that all cruises will be cancelled from the U.S. for the remainder of the year except cruises out of Miami and Port Canaveral in Florida.
Update 7: So it came as no surprise that Carnival Cruise Line cancelled all cruises out of Miami and Port Canaveral for November. It means cruises in the U.S. won’t resume until December at the earliest.
Update 8: So, with the CDC announcing a new Conditional Sailing Order and a 40-page framework of details, Carnival Cruise Line has suspended operations until January 1, 2021.
Update 9: So, in the latest update from Carnival, all U.S. departures have been cancelled until February 2021, but only a limited start for that month. More cruises will resume from March and Carnival Legend even later.
Update 10: Further bad news was announced on December 3, 2020, with Carnival canceling all cruises through February 2021 and delaying the Mardi Gras for a third time into April 2021.
Update 11: Carnival Cruise Line has made more changes and announced more delays than any other cruise line and on January 6, further cancellations were announced with cruises not resuming until April 2021.
Update 12: Once again, Carnival decided to announce further cancellations until May 2021. This was announced on January 22, 2021. Operations in Australia are also canceled through May 19, 2021. The cruise line has also made a range of adjustments with select ships not returning to service until November due to dry docks.
Update 13: Carnival has officially announced that its U.S. operations are now suspended through all of May 2021. Cruises won’t return until June at the very earliest.
Update 14: On April 6, Carnival Cruise Line decided to extend its suspension out of U.S. ports. So it means that cruises are canceled through June 30, 2021. It also includes the new Mardi Gras cruise ship, which won’t debut until early July. Cruises out of Australia are also suspended for Carnival into August and September 2021.
Update 15: On May 11, 2021, it was announced by the Miami-based cruise line that three, possibly four cruise ships will restart sailings in July 2021. All other cruises are canceled through July 2021. Carnival Splender out of Australia will also remain on pause even longer through September 17, 2021.
Update 16: On May 28, the CDC approved Carnival Cruise Line to restart cruise operations out of PortMiami, Port Canaveral, and Port of Galveston. The cruise line still plans to begin sailings in July, including Alaska cruises from Seattle.
Update 17: On June 7, the cruise line confirmed its restart plans from the U.S. Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze would restart in July out of Galveston, Texas, for fully vaccinated guests only. Details for Carnival Horizon cruises from Miami will be released no later than June 11, 2021.
Update 18: On June 10, Carnival Cruise Line revealed that even more cruise ships will be restarting operations through August. It was also announced that Mardi Gras will finally begin cruises out of Port Canaveral on July 31, 2021.
Update 19: The cruise line has already resumed operations from the U.S. with three ships. On July 19, Carnival made a major announcement on ships that will resume through September and October 2021. Three ships will restart in September and four in October, all keeping with the current protocols Carnival has in place.
Carnival Vista Cruises Resume from Galveston: July 3, 2021
Carnival Breeze Cruises Resume from Galveston: July 15, 2021
Carnival Horizon Cruises Resume from Miami: July 2021
Carnival Miracle Cruises Resume from Seattle to Alaska: July 27, 2021
Mardi Gras Cruises Begin from Port Canaveral: July 31, 2021
Carnival Magic Cruises Resume from Port Canaveral: August 7, 2021
Carnival Sunrise Cruises Resume from Miami: August 14, 2021
Carnival Panorama Cruises Resume from Long Beach: August 21, 2021
Carnival Glory Cruises Resume from New Orleans: September 5, 2021
Carnival Pride Cruises Resume from Baltimore: September 12, 2021
Carnival Dream Cruises Resume from Galveston: September 19, 2021
Carnival Conquest Cruises Resume from Miami: October 8, 2021
Carnival Freedom Cruises Resume from Miami: October 9, 2021
Carnival Elation Cruises Resume from Port Canaveral: October 11, 2021
Carnival Sensation Cruises Resume from Mobile: October 21, 2021
Cruises Resume in Australia: September 2021
Celebrity Cruises
Original Update: Celebrity Cruises has suspended all cruise operations through June 11, 2020, after the decision was made by parent company Royal Caribbean Ltd. Cruises will start again on June 12, 2020.
Update1: The cruise line has followed parent company Royal Caribbean by extending its pause on cruises. Sailings will now start from August 1, 2020.
Update 2: Celebrity Cruises has cancelled sailings in Canada, Alaska, and New England due to a further ban on cruise ships from the Canadian government.
Update 3: In the latest update from Celebrity, further cancellations were announced, impacting itineraries that featured Denmark. The country has announced an extended ban on cruise ships.
Update 4: Celebrity has followed the announcement by CLIA by canceling more cruises through September 15, 2020.
Update 5: The cruise line which is owned by Royal Caribbean has extended its suspension of operations through September 2020.
Update 6: Following most major U.S. cruise lines, Celebrity has now suspended operations until November 1, 2020. It’s the same for all Royal Caribbean-owned cruise lines and this excludes cruises in China and Australia.
Update 7: Following parent company Royal Caribbean Group, it has been announced that cruises are now suspended through November 2020.
Update 8: Parent company Royal Caribbean Group has announced the suspension of cruises until 2021 except for pilot sailings out of Singapore on Quantum of the Seas.
Update 9: Celebrity Cruises has extended its suspension in the U.S. with cruise ships now resuming operations until March at the earliest. This follows other sister cruise lines owned by Royal Caribbean. The cruise line was previously planning a limited start in January 2021 but it will take more time to restart.
Update 10: Following parent company Royal Caribbean, the cruise line has now suspended operations through April 30, 2021. This includes the May 1 transatlantic cruise on CelebrityApex. Also, the May through Oct. 2021 Europe and transatlantic cruises on Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Constellation will be suspended.
Update 11: Royal Caribbean Group which includes Celebrity Cruises announced a further suspension on March 9, 2021. All Celebrity cruise ships will now remain on hold through May 31, 2021. The cancellation policy has also been extended through May.
Update 12: On March 19, Celebrity Cruises announced its return to operations but not out of the United States. Celebrity Millennium will begin cruises out of St. Maarten on June 5, 2021. Celebrity Apex will be the second ship to begin cruises by homeporting in Greece from June 19.
Update 13: As we continue to cover when cruise lines aim to resume cruises, for Celebrity it’s looking good as the cruise line will be adding Celebrity Silhouette to homeport out of Southampton UK to sail domestic sailing from July 3, 2021.
Update 14: Even though some Celebrity cruises will resume this summer, its U.S. operations will remain on hold even longer through June 30, 2021. Departures out of the U.S. now won’t start until July at the earliest.
Update 15: On May 26, it was announced that Celebrity Cruises became the first cruise line to be approved to restart cruises with the Celebrity Edge. The ship is scheduled to depart on the first cruise from the US wince the suspension first started in March 2020. Celebrity Edge will depart out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida on June 26, 2021.
Update 16: Celebrity Cruises has been busy on its return to service, with Celebrity Equinox becoming the second ship approved to restart operations from the U.S. Celebrity Millennium also became the first cruise ship to restart cruises in the Caribbean out of St. Maarten.
Update 17: On June 26, Celebrity Cruises made a major step forward by restarting cruise operations from the U.S. with the Celebrity Edge out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Cruises Resume: July 2021
Celebrity Equinox Cruises Resume from Fort Lauderdale:
Celebrity Edge US Cruises Resume: June 26, 2021
Celebrity Millennium Cruises from St. Maarten Resume: June 5, 2021
Celebrity Apex Cruises from Greece Resume: June 19, 2021
Celebrity Silhouette Cruises from the UK Resume: July 3, 2021
Celebrity Flora Cruises from Baltra Resume: July 4, 2021
Celestyal Cruises
Original Update: The cruise line which mainly operates out of Greece with two vessels has announced that cruises are canceled until July 30, 2020. Cruises may resume gradually depending on travel restrictions and the authorities in Greece.
Update 1: Celestyal announced a further extension on its suspension through July 30, 2020 with new sailings starting from July 31.
Update 2: The cruise line won’t be restating operations until its 2021 season starting in March 2021.
Update 3: Celestyal Cruises now plans on resuming cruises on April 24, 2021, with 7-night Aegean sailings.
Update 4: On March 10, 2021, the cruise line announced that it will resume cruises on May 29. Celestyal Crystal will kick-start operations with a seven-night Idyllic Aegean itinerary.
Cruises Resume: May 29, 2021
Costa Cruises
The Italian based cruise line currently has an extension of the suspension on cruises until May 31, 2020. After that date cruises will begin again with the majority within the first week of June.
Update 1: On the same day as sister line Aida Cruises, Costa Cruises has extended its suspension on operations through all of July with the first sailings set to depart from August 1.
Update 2: In early July the cruise line announced an extension to canceled cruises until August 15 due to on-going travel restrictions and to implement new health measures.
Update 3: With Italy approving the restart of cruises, Costa has announced the first departure is scheduled for September 6 out of Trieste, Italy. Only Italian guests will be able to cruises for now due to complicated travel restrictions around the world.
Update 4: On January 22, 2021, Costa Cruises announced it will resume operations on March 13 with Costa Smeralda. The ship will offer 3- and 4-day mini-cruises, or a 7-day cruise, calling at Savona, La Spezia, Civitavecchia, Naples, Messina, and Cagliari.
Update 5: Costa Cruises had to put a hold on its return of operations in Europe due to the ongoing pandemic. Some good news was announced on February 17 with the cruise line restarting operations with Costa Smeralda on March 27, 2021. More ships will follow in the weeks after.
Update 6: Costa Cruises revised its plan, and Costa Smeralda will restart cruises out of Italy on May 1, 2021. Costa Luminosa will be the second in the fleet to resume sailings with cruises from Trieste from May 16.
Cruises Resume: May 1, 2021
Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV)
The British-based cruise line has extended its hold on cruises through August 25, 2020. This is due to the lockdown still being in place in many countries and port closures.
Update 1: The cruise line has gone into administration and will likely no longer continue its business. As of now, all cruises are canceled permanently.
Cruises Resume: Never
Crystal Cruises
The luxury cruise line has put cruises on hold through June 2020 with sailings starting up again in July just like many other cruise lines. This also includes its river cruises.
Update 1: There are now further delays on when cruises will resume for the luxury cruise line including its river operations and due to the cruise ship ban by Canada. It does depend on the vessel when cruises resume.
Update 2: Crystal Cruises has stopped wiped out cruises for 2020 and is instead focused on resuming cruises with new health measures in 2021.
Update 3: In December Crystal Cruises announced further cancellations impacting river and ocean cruises.
Update 4: On January 27, the cruise line announced a new round of cancelled cruises impacting all markets it operates in including ocean cruises.
Update 5: We’ve had a major update from Crystal Cruises which has already announced that all guests will need to be vaccinated before being allowed to cruise. In addition, the luxury cruise line extended its suspension through May for ocean cruises and for even longer for other types of vessels.
Update 6: Crystal Cruises continues to make further cancellations due to the evolving situation around the world. Further cruises are canceled for Crystal Endeavor, impacting voyages between October 9 and November 6, 2021. There are also more select river cruise cancellations in August and September 2021.
Update 7: On July 3, Crystal Serenity restarted operations out of Nassau, Bahamas for the first time. Crystal Endeavor departed on her maiden voyage on July 17, and the cruise line will soon begin sailings from Boston and New York with Crystal Symphony in August and September.
Crystal Esprit Cruises Resume: June 2021
Crustal Symphony Cruises Resume: August 22, 2021
Ocean Cruises Resume: June 2021
Expeditions Voyages Resume: August 2021
River Cruises Resume: June 2021
Cunard Line
The iconic cruise line has extended its cancelled voyages through May 15, 2020. Sailings are set to resume on May 16 but this could change depending on the situation in the UK and around the world.
Update 1: The cruise line has announced a further extension with cruises cancelled through July 31. However, the Alaska season for Queen Elizabeth will no longer take place and cruises for that vessel are cancelled through September 8.
Update 2: Due to ongoing travel restrictions around the world and port closured Cunard Line decided to delay when cruises would resume.
Update 3: With no end to the suspension for UK cruise lines, Cunard Line has extended its suspension through into Spring 2021 and Queen Elizabeth won’t return until December 13, 2021.
Update 4: Cunard Line has already stopped selling all cruises 8 days and longer, which call upon a U.S. port and depart January 1 through November 1, 2021, any impacted voyages visiting Canadian ports, and all voyages due to sail through June 21, 2021.
Update 5: On March 26, Cunard Line detailed its return to service with UK domestic sailings around the British Isles. Voyages will take place between July and October 2021 with Queen Elizabeth.
Update 6: On June 16, Cunard Line revealed its restart plan and new international itineraries later in the year. Cruises will restart with Queen Elizabeth on July 18 with UK domestic sailings.
UK Domestic Cruises Resume: July 10, 2021
Disney Cruise Line
Original Update: For Disney, the return of cruises has different dates depending on the cruise ship and where it is sailing from. Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy won’t resume sailings until May 18, 2020. Disney Magic cruises are suspended through June 7. Disney Wonder sailings are suspended through all of June due to the suspension of cruises by Canada until July 1, 2020.
Update 1: The cruise line has now provided a further update and cruises are now cancelled through July 18, 2020. This also goes for Disney Magic sailings through July 2 and Vancouver departures through the end of June.
Update 2: Disney has now extended the pause on cruises through Monday, July 27, 2020.
Update 3: Once again, due to the extended CDC order, Disney has delayed returning to service until October.
Update 4: In line the latest CLIA announcement, Disney Cruise Line has suspended all departures through October. Hopefully, in November, some cruises will resume.
Update 5: Disney Cruise Line has suspended operation even further to at least December 6, 2020. It could even further depending on the CDC’s No Sail Order.
Update 6: Following other major cruise lines in the United States, Disney has put on hold departures until 2021 so it can continue to refine new health protocols.
Update 7: Disney Cruise Line announced on November 23, 2020 of a further suspension impacting all cruise ships through January 31, 2021.
Update 8: Following all the major cruise lines, Disney has also cancelled cruises for even longer through February 28, 2021. This means sailings are cancelled onboard the Disney Magic through February 25; the Disney Wonder and Disney Dream through February 26; and the Disney Fantasy through February 27.
Update 9: On January 12, the cruise line cancelled more sailings, which means cruises now won’t start returning until April at the earliest.
Update 10: Disney has made another announcement to delay the resumption of cruises for several ships. Each ship will have a different return date between April 24 to May 12, 2021.
Update 11: Disney Cruise Line has different return dates for each ship and even though the current advisory impacts some May sailings, it has recently appeared that all May 2021 sailings have been removed from its booking engine. We’ll have to wait and see for any new updates from Disney.
Update 12: It has now been confirmed that all Disney cruises are canceled through May 2021, with select sailings now set for June at the very earliest.
Update 13: On April 6, 2021, Disney Cruise Line updated its advisory and all U.S. cruises are now suspended through June 30, 2021. This impacts the Disney Dream, Fantasy, and Wonder. However Disney Magic will be sailing UK domestic sailings during the summer.
Update 14: On May 15, Disney Cruise Line released an updated advisory with further cancellations. Regular cruises are now suspended through July 2021. UK domestic sailings with Disney Magic are still all good.
Update 15:Disney Dream has been approved for a test sailing by the CDC as announced by Disney Cruise Line on June 1. The ship will depart out of Port Canaveral on June 29 on the two-night simulated sailing.
Update 16: The Disney Dream finally commenced her test sailing on July 17, 2021, out of Port Canaveral, Florida. The two-night sailing with crew members as test passengers returned home on July 19. The ship is now one step closer to resuming operations with a date not yet set.
Cruises Resume: August 2021
UK Domestic Cruises Resume: July 2021
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Original Update: The UK-based cruise line has announced an extension on cancelled cruises just like many other cruise operators. However, the cruise line has not announced a return date and is keeping it open.
Update 1: Fred Olsen has now announced some return dates for its ships towards the end of the year and into 2021.
Update 2: A lot has been going on with the British-based cruise line, with two new ships purchased from Holland America Line and new return dates.
Update 3: The cruise line has decided to cancel cruises into 2021 due to the ongoing uncertainty around the world.
Update 4: Fred Olsen Cruises has announced more specific return dates for three cruise ships starting from the end of Spring 2021.
Update 5: In the latest cancellation update, the cruise line removed specific return dates for each ship and now expects all its vessels to start resuming sailings up until the end of June 2021. However, Braemar will remain on hold for much longer until Spring 2022.
Update 6: Fred Olsen will follow several other UK-based cruise operators by offering residents UK domestic sailings to nowhere. Borealis will be the first ship to start from Liverpool on July 5. She will then be followed by Balmoral and Bolette out of different homeports.
Cruises Resume: End of June/Early July 2021
UK Domestic Cruises Resume: July 5, 2021
Holland America Line
Original Update: The cruise line, owned by Carnival has announced that cruise operations will remain suspended through June 30, 2020. This also includes the delay of the Alaska, Europe, and Canada & New England seasons. The Canadian government announced cruises will be suspended there until July 1 which also impacts several Holland America vessels.
Update 1: The cruise line has now cancelled all Alaska, Europe and Canada/New England cruises for 2020.
Update 2: Even more select cruises have been cancelled due to cruise ship bans and travel restrictions.
Update 3: Holland America has updated that all cruises are cancelled through December 15, 2020. Select sailings will be for even longer.
Update 4: To follow other CLIA members and parent company Carnival Corporation, Holland America Line has cancelled all cruises through December 31, 2020.
Update 5: Following sister cruise line Princess Cruises, Holland America Line announced on November 20, 2020 that all cruise are now cancelled into Spring 2021.
Update 6: On January 6, Holland America announced further cancelations which now means all cruises are cancelled through April 30, 2021. The pause also includes Alaska departures through mid-May, Mediterranean through early June and select Canada/New England.
Update 7: On February 24 Holland America Line extended its hold on all sailings out of Canada in 2021. This follows the recent news of Canada banning cruise ships for an entire year.
Update 8: On March 10, Holland America announced further cancellations on European departures through June 30, 2021. This impacts sailings on Nieuw Statendam, Volendam and Westerdam.
Update 9: Holland America Line continues to try and save what’s left of the 2021 Alaska season. However, it does still mean the cruise line needs to extend its suspension out of Seattle, Washington.
Update 10: On May 20, the cruise line announced it would make a return to Alaska this summer, starting from July 24 through October 2 with Nieuw Amsterdam. This is due to the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act becoming law and being signed by President Biden.
Update 11: On June 21, Holland America announced its plans to resume cruises out of Port of San Diego with Koningsdam and Zuiderdam and out of Fort Lauderdale with Nieuw Amsterdam, New Rotterdam, Eurodam, and Nieuw Statendam.
Cruises Resume: May 2021
Europe Cruises Resume: July 2021
Seattle Cruises to Alaska Resume: July 24, 2021
Cruises from San Diego Resume: September 2021
Cruises from Fort Lauderdale Resume: October 2021
Canada Cruises Resume: 2022
Marella Cruises
The TUI-operated UK cruise line has extended its pause on operations now through June 30, 2020 The first sailings will commence from June 31. This also impacts the launch of its new river cruises service, which has been delayed un November 26, 2020.
Update 1: Marella has joined the trend by also extending its pause on operations and now all cruises are cancelled through July 30 with the first departures starting from July 31.
Update 2: The cruise line has extended its pause on sailings for select cruises.
Update 3: The UK cruise line has put cruises on hold for even longer into November 2020.
Update 4: With the UK in a full lockdown due to increased virus cases, Marella Cruises has extended its hold on operations until December 16, 2020.
Update 5: With a full lockdown announced by the UK government due to the huge increase in infections, Marella Cruises has now extended its pause in operations through February 2, 2021.
Update 6: Cruises have been delayed for even longer. The restart of operations in Europe will not happen until March 31, 2021, and no longer sailings until May 2021.
Update 7: The British-based cruise line has extended its pause on operations until May 2021 due to the uncertainty with travel restrictions. The cruise operator has already put on hold sailings from Barbados and Jamaica to April 30, 2021.
Update 8: Cruises continue to be canceled even further and that includes Fred Olsen in the UK. Borealis, Bolette, and Balmoral sailings are now canceled up until the end of June 2021. Braemar’s cruises will remain on hold until Spring 2022.
Update 9: Marella Cruises has already resume UK domestic cruises with Marella Explorer and Marella Explorer 2. From September 3, 2021, the cruise line will begin international sailings out of Malaga.
Select Cruises Resume: End of June 2021
MSC Cruises
Original Update: The mainly European-based private cruise line currently has cruises suspended through May 29, 2020. This is much longer than the original pause on operations through April 30, 2020.
Update 1: The private cruise line has now extended the hold on cruises through July 10, 2020. The first sailings will begin again on July 11.
Update 2: MSC is now planning on a phased-in return from August 1, and the fleet won’t be fully back in business until Summer 2021, depending on the region.
Update 3: MSC announced that cruises from the U.S. will now resume from September 16 due to the voluntary extension by CLIA.
Update 4: Two ships are starting cruises in August but with limitations, Cruises in the U.S. are now suspended until November 2020.
Update 5: MSC Cruises has now suspended operations from the U.S. until next year due to the new CDC requirements and time to implement new health measures.
Update 6: It’s been a double blow for MSC Cruises with a further suspension on U.S. operations until March 2021 impacting three cruise ships and forced cancelations in the Mediterranean due to new restrictions in Italy.
Update 7: Even though MSC had already resumed operations out of Italy, the cruise line has since paused sailings due to the pandemic. Cruises from Italy are now set to restart from the Port of Genoa on January 24 with MSC Grandiosa. U.S operations have been suspended further through March 31, 2021, so the situation there is not looking so good.
Update 8: MSC Cruises is one of the very cruise lines that has managed to keep some ships sailing. Even though the cruise line did need to suspend cruises temporarily in Europe due to the growing pandemic, the line does now plan to restart once again out of Greece at the end of April 2021 and cruises from Italy have already commenced with MSC Grandiosa out of Genoa. However, most sailings remain on hold until May 2021.
Update 9: The cruise line quietly announced on March 1, 2021, that in the Caribbean, all itineraries are canceled through May 31, 2021.
Update 10: MSC Cruises has already opened up bookings for sailings out of Southampton, England with the MSC Virtuosa. Cruises are set to begin from May 20, 2021, out of Southampton.
Update 11: MSC Cruises has released its plan on resuming cruise operations out of the U.S. Firstly, MSC Meraviglia has been approved for a simulated sailing departing PortMiami on July 17. The vessel will then be the first MSC cruise ship in the U.S. to begin cruises on August 2. MSC Divina will also restart sailing out of Port Canaveral on September 16. However, the cruise line has made further cancellations for previously scheduled cruises out of the U.S. for MSC Meraviglia through September 17, MSC Divina through September 15, and MSC Armonia through October 24, 2021.
Update 12: MSC Cruises made a major step towards resuming operations out of the U.S. as MSC Meravilgia completed a test cruise after arriving back in Miami on July 20, 2021.
Cruises from the U.S. Resume: June 2021
MSC Meraviglia Cruises Resume from Miami: August 2, 2021
MSC Divina Cruises Resume from Port Canaveral: September 16, 2021
UK Cruises Resume: May 20, 2021
Limited Mediterranean/Italy Cruises Resumed: January 24, 2021
Norwegian Cruise Line
The cruise line’s previous extension was only cancelled through May 14, 2020, with new embarkations starting on May 15, 2020.
Update 1: Now, after an announcement by NCL LTD cruises will be cancelled through June 30, 2020, with the first embarkations commencing on July 1.
Update 2: NCL has made another announcement that cruises will be suspended through all of July and the first cruise ships will begin sailings again from August 1, 2020.
Update 3: In the latest advisory from NCL the fleet will be out of action through August 30, 2020. This is expected to change again due to the new CLIA announcement of cruises from the U.S. cancelled through September 15.
Update 4: The cruise line last updated its advisory on June 30 cancelling all cruises through all of September and a phased-in return starting in October with select voyages.
Update 5: NCL and its sister lines have followed the CLIA announcement by cancelling all operations in the U.S. until November 1, 2020. However, this doesn’t mean cruises will suddenly start from that date as it will be a phased-in return.
Update 6: The cruise line announced a further extension through November 2020 on all cruises.
Update 7: Following CLIA and other major cruise lines, Norwegian Cruise Line has extended its suspension of operations until 2021. This is to allow time to prepare ships with new health measures and follow CDC requirements on resuming sailings.
Update 8: Norwegian Cruise Line was the first of the major cruise companies to announce a new round of suspension. The cruise line has suspended all operations through February 28, 2021. However, only three NCL ships are set to resume operations before April 2021.
Update 9: On December 29, NCL announced that Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, and Norwegian Joy will join the rest of the fleet and remain on hold through March 2021.
Update 10: On January 19, 2021, Norwegian Cruise Line announced a further suspension on operations. The fleet will now remain on hold until May 2021 while the cruise line continues to work on the safe return to sailings.
Update 11: On February 16, it was announced by the cruise line that operations are to remain on pause through May 31, 2021. NCL Holdings is working on a safe return with the relevant authorities to make sure guests and crew remain safe once cruises do eventually resume.
Update 12: Norwegian Cruise Line has become the first of the major lines to extend its suspension through June 30, 2021. Cruise ships won’t start to return to service until July at the earliest. It didn’t come as a surprise as NCL had already removed all June sailings from its booking engine days before the announcement.
Update 13: Norwegian Cruise Line has been very busy behind the scenes and is now planning on resuming operations outside the United States. Starting on July 25, Norwegian Jade will start cruises out of Athens, Norwegian Joy will homeport out of Montego Bay, Jamaica, from August 7, and Norwegian Gem will restart cruises out of the Dominican Republic on August 15, 2021.
Update 14: On April 28, the cruise line announced a new round of cancellations with some U.S departures now canceled as far back as November 2021. It comes as the cruise line has shifted more vessels to alternative ports outside the U.S.
Update 15: On May 24, it was announced by NCL that cruses will restart to Alaska in August with the Norwegian Bliss out of Seattle, Washington due to the passing of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act. However, Norwegian Joy’s restart out of Montego Bay, jamaica has been canceled and the crew is being transferred to Alaska for the restart there instead.
Update 16: On May 26, Norwegian Cruise Line released its restart plans for eight cruise ships covering 11 homeports worldwide including the US ports of New York, Port Canaveral, Los Angeles, PortMiami, and Honolulu.
Update 17: Norwegian Cruise Line decided to cancel Norwegian Gem’s restart out of the Dominican Republic due to crew member staffing issues. The focus will shift to resuming cruises from the US.
Update 18: On June 7, Norwegian Cruise Line announced further plans on resuming operations from the U.S. along with some changes. Norwegian Gem to begin cruises from PortMiami on August 15, 2021, and Norwegian Encore will replace Norwegian Bliss to operate Alaska sailing from Seattle starting on August 7, 2021.
Cruises Resume: August 2021
Norwegian Gem Cruises Resume from Miami: August 15, 2021
Norwegian Encore Alaska cruises from Seattle Resume: August 7, 2021
Norwegian Epic Cruises out of Barcelona Resume: September 5, 2021
Norwegian Getaway Cruise out of Rome Resume: September 13, 2021
Norwegian Jade Cruises out of Athens Resume: July 25, 2021
Oceania Cruises
As posed by parent company NCL Ltd, the luxury cruise line will start cruising again from July 1 as all sailings are currently canceled through June 30, 2020.
Update 1: The operated has extended its hold on cruises through all of July with the first departures starting from August 1, 2020.
Update 2: Just like other cruise lines and following parent company NCL, the cruise line has extended its pause on cruise operations.
Update 3: The Norwegian Cruise Line-owned cruise line has suspended all ship operations until 2021.
Update 4: Parent company Norwegian Cruise Line announced on January 19, 2021, an extended hold on operations and that includes Oceania vessels.
Update 5: Just like other sister lines, Oceania Cruises has extended its suspension until Summer 2021. The cruise line continues to work on a safe return.
Update 6: Parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has decided to extend its hold on all operations through June 2021. It does mean that the Oceania vessel won’t start to resume sailings until July at the earliest.
Update 7: On April 28, Oceania Cruises announced that all sailings on Riviera, Regatta, Insignia, Nautica, and Sirena are suspended through September 30, 2021. Sailings with Marina are suspended through August 19, 2021.
Update 8: On May 26, it was announced by Oceania Cruises that an additional three vessels will restart operations between October 2021 and January 2022 including Riviera out of Istanbul, Insignia out of Miami, and Sirena also out of Miami. The three vessels follow the announcement of Marina restarting cruises from Copenhagen on August 29, 2021.
Cruises Resume: October 2021
Marina Cruises Resume: August 29, 2021
Riviera Cruises Resume: October 18, 2021
Insignia Cruises Resume: December 21, 2021
Sirena Cruises Resume: January 22, 2022
Marina Cruises Resume: August 2021
P&O Cruises
The British cruise line’s original 30-day suspension of cruise operations was not feasible due to the current global crisis. At the moment all cruises are suspended through May 15, 2020. Embarkations are set to begin again from May 16.
Update 1: The cruise line has announced an extension until August 1 impacting the entire fleet.
Update 2: A further extension has been announced due to ongoing travel restrictions. The focus is now on implementing new health measures for when cruises resume.
Update 3: Due to UK Foreign Office guidance and the continued travel complications around the world P&O Cruises decided to extend its suspension on cruises through November 12, 2020.
Update 4: The UK cruise industry is in crisis and many cruise lines won’t be returning to business until 2021 including the largest which is P&O Cruises, here’s the latest update from them.
Update 5: On November 24, 2020 P&O Cruises announced a further suspension into Spring 2021. So cruise ships won’t sail until April 2021 at the earliest.
Update 6: The UK government has started to push forward on a safe reopening of international travel after The Secretary of State Grant Shapps chaired the first meeting of the new Global Travel Taskforce to discuss plans. With a more clear time for the Summer, P&O Cruises decided to cancel its regular sailings into September 2021 and replaced them with new UK-only offerings.
Update 7: We now know when P&O cruises will resume cruises in the UK. On March 17, it was revealed that Britannia will start UK coastal sailings in June and then Iona will start from August.
Regular Cruises Resume: August/September 2021
UK Domestic Cruises Resume: June 27, 2021
P&O Australia
With the Australian government banning cruises until June 15, 2020, this has impacted operations down under. The cruise line now expects to resume sailings from June 16, but this could still change.
Update 1: The cruise line has announced an extension with cruises now commencing at the very end of August.
Update 2: Due to a further ban on cruises by Australia until the middle of September 2020 P&O Australia has been forced to cancel more cruises. The first sailings are now set to begin from September 18.
Update 3: Another update has been released, and Australia and New Zealand cruises are now cancelled until October 29.
Update 4: P&O Australia has cancelled a further 20 cruises and suspended operations into December 2020.
Update 5: Full changes from the Carnival-owned cruise line due to the delay in the arrival of Pacific Adventure and the departure of Pacific Aria and Pacific Dawn from the fleet.
Update 6: The Australian-based cruise operator announced on January 5 more cancelled cruises out of New Zealand. The suspension in the country has been extended through April 25, 2021.
Update 7: On February 18, P&O Australia decided to extend its hold on operations until June 18, 2021. However, the cruise line remains optimistic on its return along with the arrival of two new additions to the fleet named Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure.
Update 8: With no signs of Australia reopening for cruises, P&O has decided to extend its pause and has cancelled all departures through December 17, 2021.
Select Cruises Resume: December 18, 2021
Princess Cruises
Due to the decision by parent company Carnival Corp, Princess Cruises has extended its pause on cruise operations through June 30, 2020. Cruises will start again from July 1, 2020. The cruise line was one of the first to announce the voluntary suspension of operations which went into effect on March 12, 2020.
Update: The cruise line has now cancelled select cruises through the end of Summer and into the fall of 2020.
Update 2: Lots of changes from Princess Cruises and different regions are returning slowly. However, with bans remaining in Canada and Australia cruises won’t be fully back up until 2021.
Update 3: Princess Cruises announced that select sailings would be cancelled into December 2020.
Update 4: Five Princess cruise ships have been impacted by further cancellations down under.
Update 5: parent company Carnival Corp has announced a suspension of operations in North America through December 31, 2020.
Update 6: Princess Cruises announced on November 20, 2020 that all cruises are now suspended through March 31, 2021 along with the removal of cruises over seven days long until November 2021.
Update 7: On January 6 the cruise line announced an extension on the pause of guest operations through May 14, 2021. This includes sailings in the Caribbean the California Coast, along with early season Alaska and Europe cruises.
Update 8: On February 28, 2021, Princess Cruises decided to cancel select sailings in Alaska, Canada & New England, and the Pacific Coast through 2021.
Update 9: On March 3, due to the developments in international travel in the UK, Princess Cruises decided to make some changes. European sailings to and from the UK, including roundtrip from Southampton through September 25, 2021, on Sky Princess, Regal Princess, and Island Princess are now canceled. Instead, from late Summer 2021, the cruise line will begin offering short UK coastal cruises.
Update 10: On March 9, Princess Cruises, along with two sister brands, announced more select cancellations. Cruises are now canceled in the Caribbean, California Coast, Mexico, and the Mediterranean through June 30, 2021. It impacts cruises for Caribbean Princess, Enchanted Princess, and Ruby Princess.
Update 11: On March 16, Princess Cruises made it clear it was still trying to save what remains of the Alaska 2021 cruise season. However, the cruise line still needs to extend its suspension out of Seattle, Washington, through June 27, 2021.
Update 12: On May 12, 2021, the cruise line announced further select cancellations worldwide across the Caribbean, Mexico, California Coast, and the Mediterranean, impacting three Princess cruise ships.
Update 13: On May 20, it was announced that Princess Cruises will be returning to Alaska this summer. With President Biden signing the new Alaska bill into law it now means that cruise ships can sail to Alaska without needing to visit a foreign port. Majestic Princess will begin sailing to the region from July 25 through September 26, 2021.
Update 14: On June 17, Princess Cruises announced its restart of operations from the U.S. in addition to the previously announced restart to Alaska. Eight ships will restart this fall out of California and Florida.
Cruises Resume from California and Florida: Starting from September 25, 2021
Majestic Princess Alaska Cruises Resume: July 25, 2021
Caribbean, California Coast, Mexico, and Med Cruises Resume: August 2021
Regular UK Cruises Resume: Late September 2021
New Short UK Cruises Resume: Late Summer 2021
Select Alaska, Canada & New England and Pacific Coast Cruises Resume: 2022
Australia and New Zealand Cruises Resume: June 2021
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Parent company Norwegian Cruise Line has announced another extension with all sailings on pause through June 30, 2020. Cruises for the luxury line will now start from July 1.
Update 1: The luxury cruise line has announced that cruises will now commence from August 1 after another extension on the pause of operations.
Update 2: Following most other cruise lines, the suspension of operations is now running through October.
Update 3: Following the parent company Norwegian Cruise Line’s announcement of a further suspension through December 2020, Regent Seven Seas has also done the same.
Update 4: Parent company Norwegian Cruise Line announced a further pause in operations, including ships operated by Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Update 5: It’s another round of suspensions for the luxury cruise line, which was announced by NCL Holdings on February 26, 2021. This impacts operations through May 31, 2021.
Update 6: On March 16, parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced a further suspension through June 2021. It now means Regent won’t resume cruises until July at the very earliest.
Update 7: On April 28, Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced a further suspension through September 30, 2021, which impacts Seven Seas Explorer, Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner, and Seven Seas Navigator. However, Seven Seas Splendor will begin cruises from the UK on September 11, 2021.
Update 8: On May 26, it was announced by the luxury cruise line that the fleet will be returning to service before the end of the year. In addition to the previous announcement on restart plans, Seven Seas Explorer will restart on from Venice, Seven Seas Mariner will resume from Miami after a dry dock, Seven Seas Navigator also out of Miami, and Seven Seas Voyager from Barcelona.
Seven Seas Explorer Cruises Resume: October 16, 2021
Seven Seas Mariner Cruises Resume: December 18, 2021
Seven Seas Navigator Cruises Resume: January 6, 2022
Regent Seven Seas Cruises Resume from the UK: September 2021
Seven Seas Splendor Cruises Resume from UK: September 11, 2021
Royal Caribbean
Original Update: Royal Caribbean is also following Carnival by extending its suspension on cruise operations. The cruise line has canceled cruises through June 11, 2020 with the first embarkations commencing on June 12, 2020.
Update 1: Royal Caribbean and its cruise brands have now suspended cruise operations through July 31, 2020 with the first sailing starting from August 1. China sailings are cancelled through the end of June.
Update 2: Due to the cruise ship by Canada even further sailings are cancelled to Alaska and more.
Update 3: In-line with the CLIA announcement last week, Royal Caribbean has extended its pause on cruises from the United States through September 15, 2020.
Update 4: Just like other cruise lines, Royal Caribbean has extended its hold on operations again in the United States through October 2020.
Update 5: Parent company Royal Caribbean group has now cancelled all departures in Australia and New Zealand for 2020 which means cruises now won’t resume until early 2021.
Update 6: In-line with parent company Royal Caribbean Group, it was announced the suspension of operations will continue through November 2020.
Update 7: Royal Caribbean has followed other major cruise lines and CLIA members by suspending operations through December 31, 2020. The aim is now to resume in early 2021 with new health measures. The suspension excludes Quantum of the Seas pilot sailings out of Singapore.
Update 8: Royal Caribbean followed other major cruise lines by extending its pause on cruise operations out of the U.S. Royal Caribbean will begin cruising again in March 2021, but it will be a phased-in return to service. This excludes Quantum of the Seas out of Singapore and Spectrum of the Seas out of China.
Update 9: Royal Caribbean went beyond April and suspended operations until the start of May 2021. The announcement was made on January 12, 2021, but does exclude two ships in the fleet.
Update 10: On March 9, it came as no surprise that Royal Caribbean extended its suspension through May 31, 2021. This does exclude some sailings including Quantum of the Seas, which is already sailing out of Singapore, Odyssey of the Seas out of Israel, and two ships out of China.
Update 11: Royal Caribbean has been busy working on plan b as cruises from the U.S. remain on hold. Multiple new homeports have been announced including out of Bermuda, the Bahamas, and Cyprus.
Update 12: On April 3, 2021, Royal Caribbean announced that Anthem of the Seas will begin UK domestic cruises from July 7 out of Southampton. The first voyage will be for 4-nights and then from July 15, the cruise line will launch 5-8-night cruises with several port calls in destinations such as Liverpool, Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, and Belfast, Northern Ireland.
Update 13: On April 8, Royal Caribbean announced an extended suspension through June 30, 2021. This only impacts U.S. operations with cruises now not resuming until July at the earliest.
Update 14: On May 21, the cruise line detailed its return to Alaska due to the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act becoming law. Serenade of the Seas will begin cruising to Alaska in July and Ovation of the Seas will begin cruising to Alaska in August, both out of Seattle, Washington.
Update 15: It’s reported that Spectrum of the Seas will resume operations out of Hong Kong on July 30, 2021, after the territory announced a reopening of cruise travel.
Update 16: On June 4, Royal Caribbean announced its big U.S. summer comeback with a total of eight cruise ships to begin sailing from ports this summer. The first vessel to begin cruises will be Freedom of the Seas out of Miami on July 2. The ship is also approved for a test sailing by the CDC to depart on June 20 out of PortMiami.
Update 17: So far, six Royal Caribbean cruise ships have resumed operations including the restart of Alaska out of Seattle.
U.S. Cruises Resume: July 2021
Freedom of the Seas Cruises Resume from Miami: July 2, 2021
Serenade of the Seas Cruises Resume from Seattle: July 19, 2021
Allure of the Seas Cruises Resume from Port Canaveral: August 8, 2021
Ovation of the Seas Cruises Resume from Seattle: August 13, 2021
Symphony of the Seas Cruises Resume from Miami: August 14, 2021
Independence of the Seas Cruises Resume Galveston: August 15, 2021
Mariner of the Seas Cruises Resume from Port Canaveral: August 23, 2021
Spectrum of the Seas Cruises from Hong Kong Resume: July 30, 2021
Anthem of the Seas UK Domestic Cruises Resume: July 7, 2021
Quantum of the Seas Cruises Resume: Currently Sailing from Singapore
Odyssey of the Seas Cruises Resume from Fort Lauderdale: Delayed to July 31, 2021
Adventure of the Seas Cruises out of the Bahamas Resume: June 12, 2021
Vision of the Seas Cruises out of Bermuda Resume: June 27, 2021 (Deployment Cancelled)
Jewel of the Seas Cruises out of Cyprus Resume: July 10, 2021
Saga Cruises
The British-based cruise line became the first in the world to announce that all guests will need to be vaccinated before cruising. With the UK planning a framework on reopening international travel later in the Summer, Saga has decided that Spirit of Adventure’s planned May 4, 2021, inaugural sailings are delayed. The new date for the new ship’s first guest voyage will be July 26, 2021. Spirit of Discovery will also be delayed until June 27, 2021.
Spirit of Discover Cruises Resume: June 27, 2021
Spirit of Adventure Cruises Resume: July 26, 2021
Seabourn
The Carnival-owned ultra-luxury cruise line has cancelled some cruises all the way into November. The latest ship returns to service on November 21, 2020.
Update 1: The cruise operated has announced that three cruise ships will have cancelled sailing into Spring 2021.
Update 2: The luxury cruise line which is owned by the Carnival Corporation has canceled further cruises in 2021 impacting two vessels. Select Seabourn Odyssey voyages are canceled to November 5, 2021, and select Seabourn Quest voyages are cancelled also to November 6, 2021.
Update 3: On February 24, 2021, the luxury cruise operator announced that 19 voyages aboard Seabourn Odyssey in summer 2021 between Vancouver, Canada, and Juneau, Alaska, including one Pacific Coast voyage are now all canceled.
Update 4: The small luxury line which is owned by the Carnival Corporation announced on March 9, 2021, an extended pause on select 2021 Europe departures.
Update 5: On April 6, the Carnival-owned cruise brand announced that it will restart cruise operations out of Athens in Greece on July 3, 2021. Seabourn Ovation will offer 7-day cruises throughout the Greek Isles.
Update 6: On April 21, Seabourn announced that Seabourn Odyssey will operate 7-day cruises from Barbados to the Southern Caribbean. Cruises in the Caribbean will begin on July 18, 2021.
Select Cruises Resume: July 2022
Seabourn Ovation Cruises Resume from Athens: July 3, 2021
Silversea Cruises
On April 8, parent company Royal Caribbean group announced cruises are suspended through June 30, 2021. This also impacts Silversea excluding Silver Moon, Silver Origin, and Silver Explorer. Silver Moon is still set to begin cruises out of Athens from June 18, 2021.
Update 1: On May 22, Silversea updated its advisory on restarting cruise operations around the world.
Cruises Resume: July 2021
Viking Cruises
The luxury cruise line was the first to announced a temporary suspension of cruise operations on March 11, 2020. As of now, the cruise line has extended the pause on ocean and river cruises through June 30, 2020.
Update: Viking Cruises extended its pause on cruise operations through August 31 which also applies to river cruises.
Update 2: A further update has been released impacting Ocean and River cruises with the pause continuing through September.
Update 3: Viking announced the cancellation of all River and Ocean cruises until 2021, a major setback which could be the start of a new trend as cruising in 2020 is likely not to make a major comeback.
Update 4: On February 18, 2021, the luxury cruise line announced an extended pause impacting river and ocean operations through May 2021.
Update 5: On March 16, the luxury cruise line provided plenty of excitement by detailing new UK domestic cruises. The cruises will begin in May and be for UK residents only.
Update 6: On April 6, 2021, Viking Cruises released some optimistic news with new voyages out of Bermuda, Iceland, and the UK. Due to high demand, there will be two additional domestic UK sailings in June 2021 for Viking Venus. Viking Orion will homeport out of Bermuda and Viking Sky out of Iceland.
Update 7: On May 19, Viking Cruises detailed restarts plans for European river sailings. Cruises will start in July with select itineraries in Portugal, France, and along the Rhine for vaccinated guests only.
Update 8: On May 24, it was announced that a third vessel will begin cruises in the Mediterranean this summer. Viking Star will begin sailings in the Western Mediterranean joining Viking Vernus and Viking Sea.
UK Cruises Resume: May 22, 2021
River Cruises Resume: June 2021
Ocean Cruises Resume: June 2021
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages hasn’t really started regular cruises yet with its first and currently only cruise ship Scarlet Lady. The inaugural sailing season for the vessel has been delayed until July 15, 2020, and the Maiden Voyage will be taking place on August 7, 2020.
Update 1: The cruise line has announced that cruises will now start from October 16, 2020 as cancellations are now through October 15.
Update 2: With the on-going suspension of operations and limited port access the new cruise line has cancelled November sailings too.
Update 3: The debut of Scarlet Lady in the U.S. will just have to wait a little longer as the cruise line has cancelled voyages in December 2020. The first cruise is scheduled for January 3, 2020.
Update 4: Virgin Voyages is going to have to wait much longer until operations actually begin for the very first time. At the moment Scarlet Lady is set to begin cruises in May 2021.
Update 5: On March 2, Virgin Voyages announced that it had made the decision to cancel more sailings. This now means that Scarlet Lady cruises are canceled through June 30, 2021.
Update 6: On April 7, Virgin Voyages updated its advisory that all regular Scarlet Lady cruises are canceled through September 17, 2021. This is due to the cruise line planning on new summer UK domestic cruises for UK vaccinated residents only.
Update 7: Virgin Voyages has made further cancellations for its first cruise ship Scarlet Lady. The vessel’s restart out of PortMiami will now begin on October 6, 2021. The second ship, Valiant Lady, will now debut in the UK, departing Portsmouth on March 18, 2022.
Scarlet Lady Cruises from Miami Begin: October 6 2021
Valiant Lady Cruises from Portsmouth Begin: March 18, 2021
Further Changes Are Possible
The situation worldwide is changing weekly, and cruise lines are working with the relevant authorities for a safe return. It’s all very fluid, and the restart dates may change even further. The CDC has been making some adjustments recently with relaxing masks and social distancing rules for vaccinated guests.
Norwegian Cruise Line still plans to restart in August from Florida but parent company Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings recently filed a lawsuit against Florida on the state’s vaccine passport ban. The result of this could have an impact on any protocols the line implements.
The ongoing saga between the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Florida has still not been resolved. In fact, just recently, the CDC successfully got a hold on Florida being allowed to overrule its Conditional Sailing Order. On July 19, the Florida Governor said it will come out on top and could take its lawsuit against the CDC as far as the supreme court.
Cruise Hive will continue to monitor any new developments, so keep checking this detailed page for when cruises resume, not just this year but in 2022.
Virgin Voyages has unveiled the new mermaid design for its second cruise ship, Valiant Lady. The ship will enter service in Spring 2022, and the cruise line has opened up the inaugural sailings for booking.
Meet Valiant Lady’s Mermaid Design
Valiant Lady, the second cruise ship from Virgin Voyages and currently in the final construction phase, will feature a glamourous new mermaid on the hull. The important symbol of each Virgin cruise ship is to keep everyone on board safe during their voyage.
The design is featured on the bow of the vessel, just like the sister ship Scarlet Lady. The new black mermaid embodies the spirit of the seas and is a nod to Virgin’s “Modern Romance of Sailing.” The cruise line says, “With diversity at the core of Virgin Voyages’ brand ideology, it was a natural move to want to honor and represent different races and nationalities by telling those stories through the mermaids. This platform allows international artists to make waves and represent different backgrounds on an expansive, global canvas.”
Valiant Lady Mermaid on Bow (Image Courtesy: Virgin Voyages)
Artist Hilary Wilson has created the design, and the mermaid has been unveiled to coincide with the Valiant lady cruises opening for booking. The ship will debut on March 18 out of Portsmouth, England.
She will sail a mixture of 3-, 11- and 12-night itineraries that include islands and cities in Europe, late-night and overnight stays in Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, the Canary Islands, Lisbon, and Belgium.
Image Courtesy: Virgin Voyages
The second Virgin cruise ship is currently under constriction by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri, and she’s 110,000 gross tons with a guest capacity of 2,700. The cruise line only operates for adults only and is a step away from the traditional cruising experience.
At the moment, the cruise lines remain on hold, and Scarlet Lady is scheduled to finally begin cruises out of PortMiami, Florida, on October 6, 2021. The ship will sail with strict health protocols in place and for guests that are fully vaccinted.
Carnival Glory becomes the second Carnival cruise ship to receive the new red, white and blue livery during a dry dock. It follows the Carnival Magic, the first ship to adorn the new look since it was first introduced on the Mardi Gras in 2020.
Carnival Glory Dry Dock Photos
How does she look? The Conquest-class vessel is now looking shiny and new with the red, white, and blue hull livery. Carnival Glory received the new design during a dry dock that is taking place in Marseilles, France.
The new design is inspired by the traditional navy blue officer uniforms and the iconic Carnival colors seen on the ship funnel. Mardi Gras was the first ship in the fleet to have the new look hull artwork during construction.
Over time, all the Carnival ships will receive the new look as they undergo scheduled dry docks. The fleet will look more fresh after being mainly white since the early founding years in the 70s. In recent years, due to the suspension of operations, many ships have not been looking so good and full of rust. The navy blue will help make the ship looks better long term.
Carnival Glory is not just receiving a new livery and having a range of general upgrades on board. Usually, during these refurbishments, the ships will get new carpeting and some minor enhancements across various departments.
The ship will be ready later in July once the dry dock is completed. Carnival Glory last underwent a dry dock in early 2017, and one of the main highlights was the newly added Carnival Waterworks aqua park. The largest upgrade was completed in 2012 when the ship received all the new FUN 2.0 enhancements, including Guys Burger Joint.
The Carnival cruise ship is currently scheduled to restart operations on September 5, 2021, out of New Orleans. The ship is scheduled to begin with a seven-day cruise to the Bahamas. Of course, with the current situation on resuming operations, that could change.
Carnival Glory is 110,000 gross tons with a guest capacity of 2,980 at double occupancy and 1,150 international crew members. She has 13 passenger decks and first entered service in 2003.
Even though Carnival cruise ships are not yet sailing and the first cruise ships are not expected to resume until July, the cruise line is still very busy preparing ships, including the Carnival Magic. The Dream-class vessel completed its dry dock on May 24 with a shiny new livery.
Carnival Magic Dry Dock
The Carnival cruise ship has completed a dry dock which took place in May at the shipyard in Marseilles, France. During this time, no major features were added but the Casino was expanded with a greater variety of slot machines and other games. The WaterWorks and pool areas also got some updates.
The main focus of the upgrade was the shiny new red, white and blue livery and a much-needed fresh coat of paint. During the suspension of operations over the past year, many vessels have been looking more on the rusty side. Still, now with cruises resuming this summer, Carnival Magic is looking fresh once again.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival Magic is the first ship in the fleet to follow the new livery design that Mardi Gras already features. The design follows the iconic carnival colors and the traditional navy blue colors of officer uniforms.
The livery is gradually being rolled out across the fleet, and the next ship to receive the new hull artwork will be the Carnival Glory. In fact, the Conquest-class cruise ship has already arrived at the dry dock in France and is replacing the Carnival Magic.
Carnival Cruise line ambassador John Heald posted a photo as the Carnival Glory made her way past the Carnival Magic to begin her much-awaited dry dock including the new livery:
Photo Credit: Casino Manger Thomas
Carnival Magic’s previously dry dock took place in 2016, and that was also just general upgrades with no major new features. The ship remains at a wet dock at the facility in Marseilles and now awaits departure.
The ship will remain on hold until November 2021, and as announced by Carnival back in January, her Norfolk cruises have been canceled. According to the Carnival site, she will begin sailings out of Port Canaveral, Florida, on November 14, 2021.
With the situation on resuming operations from the US remaining very fluid and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) making updates to its Conditional Sailing Order, the ship’s return is not set in stone. For now, Carnival plans on resuming cruises with just four ships in July. In the following months, even more vessels will begin to restart cruises.
Carnival Magic joined the fleet in 2011 and is part of the Dream-class at 130,000 gross tons and a guest capacity of 3,690 at double occupancy. There is also a capacity of 1,367 international crew members.
Carnival Fascination, which was sold by carnival Cruise Line in 2020 due to the impact of the global pandemic, is currently undergoing a refurbishment to restart cruises out of mainland China.
Those who have cruised on the former Carnival cruise ship and follow the cruise line closely will be happy that the ship is not being scrapped and will remain in service in Asia.
Carnival Fascination Right Now
The Fantasy-class cruise ship is currently in China undergoing a refurbishment, and cruisers will be happy to know she will continue service under her new owner of Century Cruises.
Carnival Fascination recently arrived at the Zhejiang Union Repair Shipbuilding facility, which is located in Zhejiang Province. She is being refurbished as a luxury cruise vessel and is set to remain in operation. The cruise line has already been recruiting.
The Zhejiang facility is focusing on the luxury cruise market and in 2020 had complete the renovation of the Pacific World cruise ship, formerly named Sun Princess.
Photo Credit: Tony Davis (Flickr)
The ship is now named Century Harmony, as confirmed in December 2020 when the name was seen on the hull while making a port stop in Gibraltar. Before that, she had been in a cold layup in Cadiz, Spain, during the suspension of operations.
Century Harmony is owned by Century Cruises that offer Yangtze river cruises, a part of Chongqing New Century Crusie Co based in Chongqing, located in the Sichuan province.
It was previously reported that the vessel would become a floating hotel, but more recently, the ship could actually offer luxury cruises out of Xiamen, Fujian Province. The cruise line currently operates six river cruise ships, and Century Harmony will be the largest to join the fleet.
Century Harmony, formerly known as Carnival Fascination, was sold due to the impact of the global pandemic. Four Fantasy-class vessels were sold, and fortunately for Carnival Fascination, she is the only one not sold for scrap.
Sister ships, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Inspiration, and Carnival Imagination were all sent to the Aliaga ship-breaking facility in Turkey. Carnival Fantasy, the first in the class, has already been completely scrapped, and the two other vessels are not far behind.
Carnival Fascination was built for Carnival Cruise Line at the Helsinki shipyard in Finland and made its debut in 1994. The ship is 70,367 gross tons with a guest capacity of over 2,000 at double occupancy.
At the moment there are only four Fantasy-class ships that remain in the Carnival fleet, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Elation, and Carnival Paradise.
Labadee, Haiti is Royal Caribbean’s private cruise resort with all the beach attractions, watersports, and fun activities that cruisers look forward to. Private island destinations are popular ports of call for cruises in the Caribbean but Labadee, Haiti is a little different. This 260-acre resort is actually on a coastal peninsula rather than a private island.
One of the advantages of visiting Labadee is that even the largest Oasis-class ships can moor at the pier, avoiding the need for tenders. The secure gated resort is just over 800 meters long and 400m wide and is very easy to walk around.
Paved trails make it wheelchair-friendly and easy to navigate on foot. Alternatively, you can take the free tender to quieter Columbus Cove for the day. There’s also a free tram around Labadee with stops at the Dragon Zipline Station near the pier and at Barefoot Station and Town Square. Why not just hop aboard for a quick ride around Labadee!
Labadee is a thrilling place to spend a day. It has four beautiful white sandy beaches and the warm Caribbean waters are perfect for swimming and a host of watersports. Labadee also has some adrenalin rides including an alpine roller coaster and one of the longest zip-lines over water anywhere in the world.
Other things to do in Labadee include the massive Arawak Aqua Park with Dragon’s Splash water-slide, cabana rentals, parasailing, jet-skiing, fishing, speed boat adventures, catamaran trips, cultural experiences, kayaking, snorkeling, sailing, cafés, bars, and children’s play areas. Prepare for some serious fun!
Labadee is located on a peninsula on the north coast of Haiti in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea. Haiti occupies the western end of the island of Hispaniola while neighboring Dominican Republic covers the central and eastern end of the island. The two countries are separated by a very high mountain range.
Allure of the Seas at Labadee (Photo Courtesy: Royal Caribbean)
Labadee is 32 miles west of the border with the Dominican Republic and 134 miles south of Grand Turk, the nearest island. It is 567 miles from Miami, the main departure point for Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.
A little history about Labadee, Haiti
The island of Hispaniola was originally inhabited by indigenous Taino people before being “discovered” by Christoper Columbus on his first Voyage of Discovery in 1492.
In 1697, the western end of the island (now Haiti) was ceded to France and the lucrative sugar plantations made it one of the richest colonies in the world. During the 17th century, the Marquis de La Badie settled in the area and it became known as “Labadee”. Then, in 1804 Haiti gained independence.
Labadee is currently leased to Royal Caribbean as a private resort destination until 2050.
Who owns Labadee, Haiti?
Labadee is a 260-acre private resort that was leased to Royal Caribbean Cruises in 1986. In 2009, RCI upgraded the facilities at a cost of $55 million which included building a deep-water dock for visiting cruise ships. The lease runs until 2050.
Labadee is a popular port of call for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara. This single port contributes the largest amount of tourist revenue to Haiti, employing 300 local people and allowing others to sell their merchandise and services to cruise visitors in the flea market.
Photo Credit: Joe Hendrickson / Shutterstock.com
In 2019, 160 cruise ships spent a day at Labadee with 720,000 passengers (and crew) enjoying the resort facilities.
What’s the Weather Like in Labadee, Haiti?
Labadee is in the Caribbean and has beautiful warm weather all year round. The average temperature is 80°F with a variance of around 10 degrees.
It has a dry season with almost no rainfall between December and March, which is the main cruise season in the Caribbean. The wet season is during the summer when it is also the hottest.
It has more chance of rain and tropical storms between August and October. The hottest month is July.
How to Visit Labadee
Labadee, Haiti is privately owned and the only way to visit is by booking a cruise with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity or Azamara cruise ships that include Labadee in their itinerary.
Labadee Map (Photo Credit: Matt C/Creative Commons)
Ships berth at the 400-metre-long pier in Buccaneer Bay and only one cruise ship can berth at any time.
Things to Do in Labadee, Haiti
At the end of the pier/walkway, one of the first things you’ll see is the Trading Post. There’s a desk where you can book tours, rides and experiences if you have not already done so. This is also the place to enjoy a little shopping and help support the local economy.
Photo By: Royal Caribbean
There is a First Aid Station near the tram stops. The resort also has several dedicated smoking zones in an otherwise smoke-free environment.
From this central point you’ll find lots of things to do while visiting Labadee and many activities are free.
Shopping in Labadee
There are 3 Trading Posts selling beachwear, hats, T-shirts etc.
There’s also a covered Artisan’s Market with excellent shopping opportunities at 70 different booths. Look out for Rum of Haiti for purchasing local alcoholic treats and browse the goods at Carlos which sells beautiful hand-decorated skirts and clothing.
Artisan Market Place (photo Credit: Creative Commons)
The Artisan’s Village is an open-air market with many local traders and artisans selling wood carvings, paintings, jewelry and unique souvenirs. You can see them working on their crafts and there’s the chance to haggle a little.
Beaches
All Labadee beaches have complimentary beach chairs and hammocks available on a first-come, first-serve basis.
The largest is Adrenalin Beach and has a swim-up floating bar!
Home of the Arawak Water Park, Columbus Cove is the furthest beach from the pier. Getting there is easy aboard the free tram, the Columbus Cove Express. Hop aboard at the Dragon Tram Station near the pier.
Nellie’s Beach is on the south shore of the bay and is a little rocky in places. Small and secluded, it has gorgeous cabana rentals.
Barefoot Beach is exclusively for cruisers staying in Grand Suites.
Main Labadee Beach (Photo Credit: Dale Morton/Creative Commons)
Cabana Rentals
For a romantic escape or to enjoy some quality time with family and friends, rent a private beach bungalow or luxury cabana for the day. Prices range from $263 for a beach bungalow for 8 guests up to an over-the-water cabana at Nellie’s Beach for $579.
Cabanas Overlook the Beach (Photo Credit: Chris/Creative Commons)
You can also rent shady beach loungers from $48 for two and the ultimate couple’s four-poster beach beds from $175.
Watersports
Labadee is a haven for all types of watersports including kayaking, snorkeling, parasailing over the bay, paddleboarding or just relax on a floating mat.
The Arawak Water Park at Columbus Cove offers the chance to hop on cooling icebergs, navigate obstacles, water trampolines, slides and more. For youngsters there’s a smaller scale water park called Adventure Ocean Oasis with water toys, buckets and fountains.
Waverunners Parked in Labadee (Photo Credit: Dixon Tam / Creative Commons)
If want to enjoy the calm clear waters, floating mat rentals are available at Nellie’s Beach and Columbus Cove for around $19.
There’s a 300-foot-long Dragon’s Splash twisting water-slide at Columbus Cove ending in a big splash!
Walking
If you want to stretch your legs, the resort has paved trails that are color coded. There’s a Leisure walk (green), Moderate walk (amber) and Strenuous Walk (red).
Food and Drink in Labadee
All the food and drink is prepared onboard your cruise ship and then transported ashore. This ensures the same standard and quality that you are used to onboard.
Lunch is complimentary and served at three locations: The Dragon’s Café near the pier, Café Labadee at Adrenalin Beach and Columbus Cove Café. All venues offer a selection of tasty barbecue meats, hot dogs, burgers, chicken, salads and tropical fruit served buffet-style.
There are five bars dotted around the resort including Dragon’s Breath Pub near the pier, the Floating Bar and Schooner Bar on Adrenalin Beach, Nellie’s Tavern and Columbus Cove Barr.
They all serve signature cocktails (try the frozen Labadoozie!), virgin mocktails, sodas and beers. Drinks are typically charged to your account by scanning your stateroom pass. If you have a drinks package as part of your cruise package, it will also be honored at all the bars and restaurants while in Labadee. Hurray!
Cruise Excursions in Labadee, Haiti
Cruisers are required to stay within the secure fenced resort area so there are no land excursions around the island.
Tours boats Leaving at Labadee (Photo Credit: Brian Holland/Creative Commons)
However, you can book some amazing experiences in Labadee such as:
Sport fishing charters
3-hour cruise experience aboard a luxury sailboat
A trip to Paradise Cove and the chance to learn about everyday life with a Haitian Village Cultural Experience
Half-day snorkeling trip to nearby Amiga Island from $69
Catamaran trips along the coast from $54 seeing fishing villages, a fortress and a shipwreck
Add-on Experiences in Labadee
There’s plenty of free things to do in Labadee, but you might want to take the opportunity to do a once-in-a-lifetime experience while you’re here. Don’t forget to book early to avoid disappointment!
Dragon’s Breath Zipline
The thrilling Dragon’s Breath Zipline is Labadee’s main claim to fame. When it was constructed, it was the longest over-water zipline in the world. It stretches across the shoreline for 2,600 feet (almost half a mile!).
The zipline starts 450 feet up the hillside and the speedy ride lasts for two exhilarating minutes at speeds of around 35mph. The cost is currently around $89.
Climb the steps and ride the Little Dragon training ride then hop aboard an open shuttle to transport you to the zipline launch platform. You’ll be zipping right across the curving bay so keep your eyes open if you dare as the views are absolutely amazing! Book your time slot well ahead of time as places are limited.
Dragon’s Tail Coaster
Those who enjoy thrilling Alpine coaster rides can spend the whole day riding the Dragon’s Tail roller coaster with an all-day pass.
The 2-person coaster cars wind along the hillside above the beach and drivers can slow down or control the speed of the cars with a brake pedal for the perfect ride. Best time ride and to avoid the lines is as soon as you reach the resort.
Tips When Visiting Labadee, Haiti
Use the locker (around $10) to secure your valuables when riding the Dragon’s Breath Zipline. You can keep the locker for the whole day which is useful when swimming and doing watersports too!
You will need cash (US dollars) when shopping at the Artisan’s Market and the Artisan Village. It’s also useful for tipping local beach staff and watersports assistants who greatly appreciate the extra income.
The best months to visit weather-wise are between December and April.
Avoid the lines at the Dragon’s Tail Coaster by heading there as soon as you arrive.
Hop aboard the free tram and see the highlights of Labadee. It stops at Barefoot Station, the Dragon Zipline Station and Town Square.
Take an insulated drinks bottle ashore. You can refill it free at the buffet area and stay hydrated at the beach. NB. Water in the restrooms is not safe to drink.
Don’t forget to take your beach towel ashore as there are no towel stations in Labadee.
Labadee FAQs
Where is Labadee?
Labadee is located on the north coast of Haiti, on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea. Labadee is 32 miles west of the border with the Dominican Republic and 134 miles south of Grand Turk, the nearest island.
How long is the zipline in Labadee, Haiti?
The Dragon’s Breath Zipline in Labadee stretches across the bay for 2,600 feet (almost half a mile!). When it was constructed it was the longest over-water zipline in the world.
Who owns Labadee?
Labadee is a 260-acre private resort which is leased to Royal Caribbean Cruises. The lease runs until 2050.
Half Moon Cay is an idyllic castaway island in the Bahamas with a white sandy beach lapped by calm cerulean blue waters. Privately owned by the Carnival Corporation, this port of call is exclusively used by cruises that include this heavenly hideaway on their itinerary.
Although there’s some steep competition from other private cruise-owned islands, Half Moon Cay is frequently listed #1. This is mainly due to the extensive beach with its super-soft white sand and diverse activities such as horse riding.
Formerly known as Little San Salvador Island, this laid-back island covers 2400 acres (less than 4 square miles) and much of it has been left as a nature preserve with native vegetation for nesting birds and wildlife.
Currently, cruisers are transported ashore in tenders, but a new deep-water dock is planned for the near future. Once ashore, expect to enjoy a beautiful day on the beach with plenty of activities for watersports, boat trips, swimming, snorkeling and relaxing in the sun.
Entrance to Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Wangkun Jia / Shutterstock.com)
The island has a Welcome Center with information and excursions, a church for weddings, an ice cream parlour, bar, food pavilion, and restrooms. Look forward to shopping for souvenirs, local crafts, and beachwear at the Straw Market, visit the watersports center, go horse riding on the beach or book a treatment at the Half Moon Salon. Young visitors can enjoy the Half Moon Lagoon Aqua Park with slides and pirate ship.
Cruisers can book private cabanas, stingray encounters and water-based adventures ahead of time. It’s the perfect beach day with all the delicious food, cocktails and fun you would expect onboard, but transferred to this beautiful island. So sit back and read on to enjoy a virtual visit to Half Moon Cay!
Half Moon Cay is located midway between the islands of Eleuthera and Cat Island in the Bahamas. It is about 100 miles (160km) southeast of Nassau, the Bahamian capital, and 277 miles southeast of Miami.
History of Half Moon Cay
The private island of Half Moon Cay was formerly known by the less romantic-sounding name of “Little San Salvador Island”. The name was changed to reflect the spectacular crescent-shaped beach at the west end of the island which is used by cruisers.
Half Moon was also the name of the ship belonging to 17th century explorer Henry Hudson which features on the Holland America logo, providing a nice connection between the island and the cruise company.
Half Moon Cay Sign
The cay was originally bought by Norwegian Cruise Line and sold in 1996 for $6 million to Holland America Line (HAL) which is part of the Carnival Group. HAL developed around 50 acres as an exclusive private luxury resort for its cruise passengers and manages the remaining 2,400 acres as a natural habitat for wildlife.
The island had no infrastructure so construction involved installing electric generators, reverse osmosis water plants for freshwater, sewer treatment, and incinerators. A marina was dredged and a pier constructed for the tenders and the developed areas were raised by 14 foot to be above the flood plain.
Future Plans to Develop a Port at Half Moon Cay
Future developments include developing a deep-water dock allowing cruise ships to moor right next to a new pier. Currently the shallow waters mean that visiting cruisers must use a tender (motor boat) to transfer from the cruise ship to the island.
However, in 2019, Carnival Corporation signed an agreement with the Bahamas government to construct a new port at Half Moon Cay, at an estimated total cost of $90 million. The work was due to start mid-2020 but has been delayed. The plans exceed the requirements laid down by the USCG in order to withstand even Category 5 hurricanes.
Which Cruise Lines Visit Half Moon Cay?
Half Moon Cay is frequently visited by Holland America cruise ships and some Carnival cruise ships. Not all itineraries include Half Moon Cay as a port of call, so check the details before booking your cruise.
What’s the Weather Like at Half Moon Cay?
Like the rest of the Bahamas, the island enjoys a cool summer Mediterranean climate with daytime temperatures very rarely exceeding 90°F (32°C) in summer. The island enjoys an average of 320 days of sunshine each year and maintains warm seas and balmy temperatures tempered by sea breezes.
Half Moon Cay Beach Before the Guests Arrive!
The island has two seasons: a wet season from May to October and a dry season through winter and spring, which coincides with the main months for Caribbean cruises. The northeast trade winds keep the island pleasantly fresh.
Winters are dry and sunny with temperatures averaging 77°F (25°C). In summer, temperatures reach 87°F (31°C), with some heavy afternoon storms at times.
Hurricane season officially runs from June to November, but tropical storms most likely affect the Bahamas between July and October. The island has been affected by two hurricanes in the past: Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and Hurricane Dorian in 2019.
Getting to Half Moon Cay
Half Moon Cay is surrounded by shallow waters and reefs and there is no currently deep-water dock for the cruise ships. Passengers have to be ferried to and from the cay using tenders (ship’s lifeboats) which takes about 20 minutes.
Tender Boat Between Carnival Cruise ship and Half Moon Cay (Photo Credit: Igor_Koptilin / Shutterstock.com)
It can take a while to get everyone ashore so the best advice is either to get up early and be one of the first in line or hang around enjoying a leisurely breakfast and relaxing until the rush is over.
Plans have been approved by the Bahamian government for a new port and pier to be built. This will allow future cruise ships to dock and passengers can walk ashore.
The advantages are many. It will provide more time for passengers to enjoy the island and supplies can more easily be transferred ashore to stock the bars and eateries. Also, a permanent port will avoid any problems associated with rough seas which can affect ship-to-shore transfers by tender.
Things to Do in Half Moon Cay
Beaches
One of the best features about the private island is the powder-soft white sand stretching around the 2.5-mile-long Half Moon Beach. It is nicer than some other private islands such as Princess Cays which has coarser sand and some rocky areas.
Half Moon Cay Beach (Photo Credit: JIN TAN / Shutterstock.com)
The further you walk from the ship, the quieter the beach will be so if you’re looking for your own private spot, you will find it here.
There are plenty of lounge chairs and hammocks dotted around the island for relaxing, napping and absorbing the gorgeous views.
Watersports
Surrounded by clear warm waters, the cruise line private island is perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Close to shore there are not much fish due all the visitors but you can join a boat trip to go snorkeling and diving in these clear warm waters.
Sailboats at Half Moon Cay Island
Other watersports activities that you can sign up for include parasailing, fishing, glass-bottom boat rides, jet skiing, sailing Hobie catamarans and sunfish sailboats, stand-up paddle-boarding, and kayaking.
Near the church there’s a sports center where you can rent snorkels, floats and sports equipment or sign up for some team beach sports.
Sailing and Watersports on Half Moon Cay
If you are a lover of watersports and whatever is listed so far doesn’t fit your bill why not sail on a Hobie cat, sunfish sailboat or a windsurfing sailboat? You can hire any of these watercraft from one of the three water sports centers available on the island. Alternatively, hire water bikes for a fun time on the water or go kayaking at Bonefish Lagoon.
Watersports at Half Moon Cay (Igor_Koptilin / Shutterstock.com)
Sports and Games
The cay has volleyball and basketball courts, horseshoes, shuffleboard and walking trails so there’s plenty for active cruisers to enjoy.
Your cruise entertainment crew will organize some team games and fun activities while ashore so get ready to join an impromptu game.
Take a Hike
Half Moon Cay has a contrasting mix of green vegetation, white sand and blue sea. Out of the 2400 acres of natural beauty, only 2% ( about 50 acres) has been developed, leaving at least 2350 acres of indigenous flora and fauna to explore.
There are nature trails all over the island either on hard pavement or sandy trails. These paths lead to some of the island’s shore excursion start points such as Stingray Cove, Bonefish Lagoon and the Pegasus Ranch where they keep the horses.
The cay has nature trails for spotting visiting sea birds and there’s a fitness trail with exercise stations along the way.
Birding
There are numerous native birds and waterfowl species in the Bahamas for birdwatching fans. There are at least 47 different species of birds spotted at Half Moon Cay between 1982-2012, according to a survey by Majestic Feathers.
The most common birds are gulls and waterfowl such as sooty terns, roseate terns, and noody terns. Other birds include wading birds such as egrets, ruddy ducks, herons and Caribbean coots. These can be spotted in the brackish lagoon which has been designated as a bird preserve by the Bahamian National Trust.
Don’t forget those binoculars for watching close up!
Get a Massage
Get a professional massage by a professional therapist in an air-conditioned cabana. The team of beauticians aboard Holland America Line offer professional massage services while on the island.
Island Massage on Half Moon cay, Bahamas (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock.com)
Hair Braiding
If you like interacting with other cultures then enjoy the diversity of the Bahamians by engaging in some of their cultures such as hair braiding.
Half Moon Cay is uninhabited so locals from the nearby island of Eleuthera ferry across to the island when there are cruise visitors. They teach you their ways, dance culture and also braid your hair to provide a more local look.
Pirate Fun for Youngsters
There’s plenty of fun for young cruisers at Half Moon Cay. There is a special lagoon aqua park with island-themed action fun area where kids can play in the safe shallow water.
They can enjoy being sprayed with water from the pirate ship’s cannons or play on the shark, dolphin, whale and octopus-shaped water toys provided.
There’s also a playground nearby that is fully equipped for climbing and scrambling. You might want to buy or bring your own small beach toys such as a sand bucket and spade for children to make sand castles on the beach.
Get Married!
Getting married as part of your luxury cruise to Half Moon Cay is a great way to have a memorable wedding ceremony without it costing an arm and a leg! When you step off the tender ship and walk towards the island’s welcome center, you will notice a beautiful white church built in Bahamian cultural style.
This is for those who plan on getting married on the island or perhaps want to renew their vows. You can do this at the church, have your special event captured with professional photographs and then have your reception on the island. The rest of the cruise is the perfect honeymoon!
Note: If you’re planning to get married or renew your vows on the island, you need to book with your cruise prior to sailing. You will be required to provide all necessary documentation as this is a legal wedding ceremony.
Half Moon Cay Cabanas
Cabanas on Half Moon Cay are particularly advantageous with luxury lounge chairs in a prime beachfront location. They include air-conditioning, table and chairs for dining, a refrigerator stocked with snacks and drinks, ceiling fan, misting fans, snorkel equipment and floating mats.
At a cost of around $319 for up to 4 guests, it can be good value for those wanting their own peaceful chunk of paradise.
Upgrade to the Private Oasis Cabana and you’ll get your own two-storey luxury beach shack complete with iPod docking station, grill, showers and misting station.
It comes with a fridge stocked with drinks and a butler to pour them for you! If that doesn’t impress you, perhaps the 8-person hot tub will! You need to pre-book and the cost is around $1500 for up to 12 guests.
Shopping on Half Moon Cay
Shopping is all part of any port of call and Half Moon Cay has some interesting local stores and retail services. There is a small Post Office where you can buy beautiful Bahamian stamps and postcards. You may even want to go the extra mile and mail one to yourself as a memoir of your vacation!
Local Stores at Half Moon Cay (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock.com)
A convenience store is also located near the Welcome Center, where you can purchase snacks, sunscreen, and other beach essentials.
Souvenirs are a great way to remember your trip and the Straw Market is the place to source them during your visit to Half Moon Cay. You will find some unique gifts, including beachwear and locally made ocean-themed costume jewelry.
You can even purchase clamshells that are farmed nearby and contain natural pearls. Purchase and open your clamshell and have the beautiful pearl made into a ring or pendant while you wait. It’s a unique and lovely way to celebrate your visit to the Bahamas.
Half Moon Cay Cruise Excursions
Part of the fun of cruising is joining in some tours and excursions at ports of call to try something new. Half Moon Cay is no exception. You can sign up for any of these tours and activities ahead of time to ensure you get a place.
Stingray Adventure
This experience takes place at Stingray Cove where you will be given an informative orientation about stingrays from a professional guide.
They will then take you to an area where you can interact with these amazing marine creatures by stroking their velvety wings as they swim by.
Snorkeling Tours
These snorkeling expeditions include use of a snorkel, mask and fins. A boat will take you further offshore where you can visit the coral reef which is bursting with colorful marinelife, fish and anemones.
It has many beautiful corals which are home to a wide variety of sea creatures. A professional snorkeling guide will assist you and help you identify the sea life in their habitat.
Horseback Riding
One of the most unique shore excursions at Half Moon Cay is horseback riding. Explore more of the island along a winding trail to the highest point for panoramic views. On the return trip you can ride the horses through the shallow waters in a thrilling beach ride.
Horse Riding Along Half Moon Cay Beach
Eco Bike Tour
With 2400 acres of beautiful island to explore, what better way to get around than a bike and hike combo? Enjoy scenic views of the island while cycling to Pegasus Ranch before hiking past Bonefish Lagoon and Stingray Park.
Tram Calypso Tour
Join the one-hour tram tour around Half Moon Cay visiting many of the highlights and off-the-beaten-path attractions.
Guided Walk
Join a local guide on a 90-minute walk seeing nature at its best. Learn about the cay’s pirate history and identify different plants, herbs and animals including native sea grapes, tropical sea palms, bananaquit birds and curly-tailed lizards.
Food and Drink on Half Moon Cay
Restaurants, beach barbecues and bars at Half Moon Cay are all run by crew members from the ship. You get the same high-quality dishes and superb choices on the island as you would expect onboard, but the island’s surroundings are particularly special!
Food Pavilion Which is Run by the Ship (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock.com)
Cruisers can dine free at the Food Pavilion which has open-air seating and serves a range of dishes including burgers, salads, hot dogs and fresh fruit. There’s also a complimentary beach barbecue.
In addition, there’s an ice cream parlor for ordering your favorite sundae and a Lobster Shack, both requiring an additional fee which is charged to your stateroom keycard.
The Lobster Shack has a mouthwatering menu of grilled spiny lobster with rice, Caribbean coconut beans and salsa (pineapple or sofrito), so why not treat yourself? Prepared by chefs from the ship, it’s a great chance to enjoy a magnificent lobster feast for around $20.
Rumrunners bar (Photo Credit: Solarisys / Shutterstock.com)
If you fancy a fruity cocktail, icy beer, frosty frozen drink, or soda, there are several bars dotted around the island, including the Rumrunners Bar, Lookout Bar, Bell Bar, and the “I Wish I Could Stay Here Forever” Bar! The traditional Bahamas drink is the rum-based Bahama Mama or the non-alcoholic lemon-lime drink called Switcha.
Be aware that you will have to pay for all drinks while on Half Moon Cay, even if you have purchased an all-inclusive drinks package. This is because the island bars do not have any computers.
Other Cruise-Owned Private Destinations
With the growing popularity for cruises with ports of call on private islands. Other cruise lines also have their own private islands in the Caribbean. These include:
Half Moon Cay is in the Bahamas, midway between Eleuthera and Cat Island. It is about 100 miles (160km) southeast of Nassau and 277 miles southeast of Miami.
Does anyone live on Half Moon Cay?
Half Moon Cay is uninhabited. Developed as a luxury beach resort, it is used as a private port of call for Carnival and Holland America cruisers. About 100 locals work on the island and arrive by ferry from Eleuthera when there are visiting cruise ships.
How large is Half Moon Cay island?
Half Moon Cay is fairly small, covered 2400 acres which is less than 4 square miles. It has a 2.5 mile long crescent beach of white sand which is the main focal point for cruise activities.
Which cruise lines visit Half Moon Cay?
Half Moon Cay is used primarily by Holland America cruise ships and by some Carnival cruises when not required by HAL.
