Royal Caribbean will no longer be offering longer cruises until November 2021 due to the new rules from the CDC on the Conditional Sailing Order that was announced at the end of October 2020. Forget about longer cruises for the time being.
Royal Caribbean Removes Longer Sailings
The cruise line announced the temporary removal of longer cruises to travel agents today. So this means any cruise that is over seven days longer will not be available to book on departures between January 1, 2021, to November 1, 2021.
It does only apply to U.S. sailings and cruises that call to the U.S. The removal is only temporary. Hopefully, once the current CDC Conditional Sailing Order comes to an end towards the end of next year, those 8-day cruises and longer can make a comeback.
Also Read: Cruise Lines Extend Flexible Cancellation Policy Again
Here is the full message from Royal Caribbean:
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently issued a Framework for Conditional Sailing Order that introduces a phased approach for a safe return of cruising.
In the order, the CDC outlines that cruise lines are no longer able to sail itineraries that are longer than 7 nights and call on a U.S. port. This affects sailings between Jan. 1 and Nov. 1, 2021. To ensure compliance, we have temporarily paused the sale of such cruises as we evaluate options and determine the necessary itinerary updates or changes.
We expect to have more information in coming weeks and will be in touch with you once we have updates to share. Thank you for your continued patience and loyalty during this extraordinary time.
With the pause on these longer sailings, it will provide Royal Caribbean with time to evaluate options on these sailings. There could be further changes and details released as the cruise line works through the details from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).
There is one positive to take from this message; it does look like Royal Caribbean is still committed to resuming operations from January 1, 2021. Carnival-owned cruise lines have already extended their suspension well into 2021, and Carnival Cruise Line is planning a limited restart in February 2021.
Related: Multiple Cruise Lines Are Ditching Longer Sailings
The 40-page framework on the CDD Conditional Sailing Order has many details and until cruises resume, Royal Caribbean is working through on implementing new health measures to make sure guests and crew remain safe.
