The major cruise lines are planning a multi-stage reboot in 2021, with the news constantly changing.
Here’s the latest:
Carnival Cruise Line
First departure: June 1, 2021
Ships: Carnival Liberty and Carnival Miracle
Region: Bahamas and West Coast
Carnival Cruise Line is currently planning to resume service on June 1, with an interruption of US operations until May 31.
In January, the brand also announced major implementation and schedule changes for a few ships.
Royal Caribbean International
First departure: in service
Ship: Quantum of the Seas
Region: Asia
While the Quantum of the Seas is already back in service 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 routes to Greece and Cyprus from Haifa. The cruises are exclusively for Israeli guests and are scheduled until October.
Globally, the pause in operations has recently been extended to all cruises through May 31.
Crystal Cruises
First departure: July 3, 2021
Ship: Crystal Serenity
Region: Bahamas
Crystal Cruises will be the first major cruise line to restart service in North America. The luxury brand recently announced plans to operate the Crystal Serenity from Nassau and Bimini, with an all-Bahamian itinerary.
The new program of seven-night cruises starts in July and should run through at least October.
MSC Cruises
First departure: in service
Ship: MSC Grandiosa
Region: Mediterranean
MSC Cruises, one of the first major cruise lines to welcome guests, operates in the Mediterranean with the MSC Grandiosa. With an itinerary that includes visits to Italy and Malta, the ship should be accompanied by MSC Seaside from May 1.
Meanwhile, the temporary hiatus from sailings in the US was further extended, canceling all cruises until May 31.
Norwegian Cruise Line
First departure: June 4, 2021
Ship: Norwegian Epic
Region: Mediterranean
In February, Norwegian Cruise Line announced a new service interruption extension, which now affects all sailings scheduled through May 31. Now the brand’s first scheduled cruise departs on June 4, with the Norwegian Epic. The vessel sails from Civitavecchia (Italy) to five destinations in the Western Mediterranean.
While the hiatus was extended, the company also confirmed that it is continuing to work on a return to service plan to meet the requirements of the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Costa Cruises
First departure: March 27, 2021
Ship: Costa Smeralda
Region: Western Italy
Costa Cruises is set 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 three, four and seven night cruises to Italian ports to begin.
From May, the Costa Luminosa will start sailing to Italy and Croatia, while Smeralda should add calls to France and Spain to its itineraries.
In the past year, Costa reactivated a total of three ships, but was eventually forced to interrupt all operations again in December.
Disney Cruise Line
First departure: June 4, 2021
Ship: Disney Dream
Region: Bahamas
In line with other US carriers, Disney Cruise Line has canceled all of its operations until May 31. Now on June 4, the Disney Dream was able to welcome guests for a three-night cruise to the Bahamas from Port Canaveral.
After returning its ships to the US in November, the brand also canceled additional cruises on the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic, which would operate in Alaska and Europe.
Princess Cruises
First sailings: July 1, 2021
Ships: Diamond Princess and Ruby Princess
Region: Japan and west coast
Princess Cruises recently extended its global operational hiatus with all sailings through June 30. With the change, the first sailings scheduled for the brand’s fleet will depart in Asia and the West Coast on July 1.
While cruises were further canceled in some destinations, Princess also plans to offer new domestic sailings in the UK. Exclusively for local residents, sailings begin in late summer on Regal Princess and Sky Princess.
Genting Cruise Lines
First sailings: in service
Ships: World Dream and Explorer Dream
Region: Asia – Singapore and Taiwan
In February Dream Cruises extended its program of short cruises in Singapore until June 27. On board the World Dream, the sailings are tailored to the local public and have been operating since November.
The Explorer Dream, meanwhile, has been sailing island-hopping routes in Taiwan since July.
AIDA Cruises
First departure: March 20
Ship: AIDAperla
Region: Canary Islands
While 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, the AIDAperla will start offering a weeklong trip in the Spanish archipelago.
Famous cruises
First departure: June 1
Ship: Celebrity Infinity
Region: Eastern Mediterranean
In line with other Royal Caribbean Group brands, Celebrity Cruises this month extended the sailing suspension for its global fleet. Now all sailings up to and including May 31 have been canceled.
The first cruise currently scheduled for the company’s fleet will depart in June. On that date, the Celebrity Infinity will sail from Venice to Turkey and the Greek islands.
Holland America Line
First departure: July 1
Ship: Volendam
Region: Mediterranean
After sailings across the Mediterranean until June, Holland America Line was put back into service with the Volendam on July 1.
Other summer routes to Alaska and Canada / New England are questionable after Canada’s extensive cruise ship ban.
TUI Cruises
First departure: in service
Ships: Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2
Region: Canary Islands
With a program in Northern Europe, TUI Cruises was one of the first cruise lines to sail on July 23. The German brand is currently active in the Canary Islands, with both the Mein Schiff 2 and the Mein Schiff 1.
Windstar Cruises
First departure: June 10
Ship: Wind Spirit
Region: Tahiti
In February, Windstar Cruises outlined a new plan to return the fleet to service. Now, the company plans to welcome guests on June 10 with a Tahiti cruise aboard the Wind Spirit.
Azamara
First departure: July 10
Ship: Azamara Pursuit
Region: Eastern Mediterranean
Now an independent brand, Azamara recently extended its hiatus from operations to June 30 to all sailings. With the change, the company can resume operations on July 10, with the Azamara Pursuit in the Eastern Mediterranean.
However, Azamara’s new ship, the current Pacific Princess, should be in service in 2022.
Silversea Cruises
First departure: May 28
Ship: Silver Explorer
Region: Kimberley, Australia
Silversea Cruises has canceled all of its cruises until May 27th. The Royal Caribbean luxury brand now plans to return to service on May 28 with the Silver Explorer. On that day, the expedition ship will set sail on a nine-night cruise in Australia’s Kimberly region.
Virgin Voyages
First departure: July 1
Ship: Scarlet Lady
Region: Caribbean
Virgin’s first cruise is currently scheduled for July 1, with the Scarlet Lady sailing from Miami to the Caribbean with 2,770 guests.
The launch of the brand’s second ship was also delayed. The Valiant Lady’s Mediterranean season has been delayed to 2022 and will now debut in the Caribbean on November 14.