Major cruise lines plan to restart in several phases in 2021, with news constantly changing.
Here are the latest news:
Carnival Cruise Line
First navigation: June 1, 2021
Boats: Liberty Carnival and Miracle Carnival
Region: Bahamas and west coast
Carnival Cruise Line is currently scheduled to resume service on June 1, with a pause in operations in the United States through May 31.
In January, the brand also announced major changes to the deployment and schedule of some vessels.
Royal Caribbean International
First navigation: in service
Boat: Quantum of the Seas
Region: Asia
While Quantum of the Seas has already returned to work in Asia, Royal Caribbean now plans to offer cruises from Haifa with the new Odyssey of the Seas. Starting in June, the ship will offer two- to seven-night itineraries to Greece and Cyprus from Haifa. The cruises are exclusive to Israeli guests and are scheduled through October.
Overall, the pause in operations was recently extended to include all cruises through May 31st.
Crystal Cruises
First navigation: July 3, 2021
Boat: Crystal Serenity
Region: Bahamas
Crystal Cruises will become the first major cruise line to restart service in North America. The luxury brand has recently announced its plans to operate Crystal Serenity from Nassau and Bimini, with a fully Bahamian itinerary.
The new seven-night cruise program begins in July and is expected to run until at least October.
MSC Cruises
First navigation: in service
Boat: MSC Grandiosa
Region: Mediterranean
One of the first major cruise lines to welcome guests, MSC Cruises operates in the Mediterranean with the MSC Grandiosa. Offering an itinerary with visits to Italy and Malta, the ship is expected to join the MSC Seaside from 1 May.
Meanwhile, the temporary pause of U.S.-based sailing was further extended, canceling all cruises until May 31.
Norwegian Cruise Line
First navigation: June 4, 2021
Boat: Norwegian Epic
Region: Mediterranean
In February, Norwegian Cruise Line announced another extension of the service break, which will now affect all scheduled crossings through May 31. Now, the brand’s first scheduled cruise will kick off on June 4, with Norwegian Epic. The ship sails from Civitavecchia (Italy) to five destinations in the western Mediterranean.
While extending the break, the company also stated that it is continuing to work on a return-to-service plan to meet the requirements of the Conditional Sail Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Costa Cruises
First navigation: March 27, 2021
Boat: Costa Smeralda
Region: Western Italy
Costa Cruises is about to return to service on March 27, with a new program in the Mediterranean. The Costa Smeralda will be the first ship to welcome guests, with the departure of three, four and seven night cruises in Italian ports.
From May, the Costa Luminosa will start sailing to Italy and Croatia, while Smeralda should add calls to France and Spain to its itineraries.
Last year, Costa reactivated a total of three ships, but ended up forced to stop all operations in December.
Disney Cruise Line
First navigation: June 4, 2021
Boat: Disney Dream
Region: Bahamas
In line with other US operators, Disney Cruise Line has canceled all of its operations until May 31st. Now, Disney Dream could welcome guests on June 4, to take a three-night cruise to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral.
After returning its ships to the United States in November, the brand also canceled additional cruises to the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic, which would be destined to operate in Alaska and Europe.
Princess Cruises
First crossings: July 1, 2021
Boats: Diamond Princess and Ruby Princess
Region: Japan and west coast
Princess Cruises has recently expanded its global operating break to include all cruises through June 30th. With the change, the first scheduled crossings for the brand’s fleet will be launched on July 1 in Asia and the west coast.
Although cruises have been canceled at some destinations, Princess also plans to offer new domestic crossings in the UK. Exclusive to local residents, the cruises will begin in late summer at Regal Princess and Sky Princess.
Genting Cruise Lines
First crossings: in service
Ships: Dream World and Dream Dream
Region: Asia – Singapore and Taiwan
In February, Dream Cruises extended its short cruise program to Singapore until June 27th. Aboard the World Dream, the cruises are aimed at the local public and have been operating since November.
The Explorer Explorer, meanwhile, has been sailing since July with jumping routes to the islands in Taiwan.
AIDA Cruises
First navigation: March 20
Boat: AIDAperla
Region: Canary Islands
Although cruises to other destinations were canceled until mid-May, AIDA Cruises plans to resume service in the Canary Islands later this month.
On March 20, AIDAperla will begin offering a one-week itinerary to the Spanish archipelago.
Celebrity Cruises
First navigation: June 1
Boat: Celebrity Infinity
Region: Eastern Mediterranean
In line with other Royal Caribbean Group brands, Celebrity Cruises extended this month the suspension of navigation for its global fleet. Now, all crossings until May 31 are canceled.
The first cruise currently scheduled for the company’s fleet goes sailing in June. On this date, Celebrity Infinity will depart from Venice to Turkey and the Greek islands.
Holland America Line
First navigation: July 1
Boat: Volendam
Region: Mediterranean
After cutting Mediterranean crossings until June, Holland America Line could return to service on July 1 with the Volendam.
Other summer itineraries in Alaska and Canada / New England are in doubt after Canada’s extended ban on cruise ships.
TUI cruises
First navigation: in service
Boats: Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2
Region: Canary Islands
With a program in northern Europe, TUI Cruises was one of the first cruise lines to start sailing on July 23rd. The German brand currently operates in the Canary Islands, with the Mein Schiff 2 and the Mein Schiff 1.
Windstar Cruises
First navigation: June 10
Boat: Wind Spirit
Region: Tahiti
In February, Windstar Cruises outlined a new plan to return service to its fleet. Now, the company plans to welcome guests on June 10, with a cruise to Tahiti aboard the Wind Spirit.
Azamara
First navigation: July 10
Boat: Azamara Pursuit
Region: Eastern Mediterranean
Now, independent brand, Azamara has recently extended its break in operations to include all crossings until June 30th. With the change, the company could restart operations on July 10, with Azamara Pursuit in the eastern Mediterranean.
Azamara’s new ship, the current Pacific Princess, however, should be in service by 2022.
Silversea Cruises
First navigation: 28 May
Boat: Silver Explorer
Region: Kimberley, Australia
Silversea Cruises canceled all cruises until May 27. The Royal Caribbean luxury brand now intends to return to service on May 28 with Silver Explorer. That day, the expedition ship will have to sail on a nine-night cruise in the Australian region of Kimberly.
Virgin Voyages
First navigation: July 1
Boat: Scarlet Lady
Region: Caribbean
Virgin’s maiden voyage is currently scheduled for July 1, with 2,770 Scarlet Lady guests sailing from Miami to the Caribbean.
The brand’s second ship was also delayed in its introduction. The Valiant Lady had its Mediterranean season postponed until 2022 and is now scheduled to premiere on November 14 in the Caribbean.