Major cruise lines are planning multi-phase reboots in 2021, with news constantly changing.
Here are the latest:
Carnival Cruise Line
First departure: June 1, 2021
Ships: Carnival Liberty and Carnival Miracle
Region: Bahamas and West Coast
Carnival Cruise Line currently plans to resume service on June 1, with its break from US operations extended until May 31.
In January, the brand also announced major deployment and programming changes for some ships.
Royal Caribbean International
First trip: In service
Ship: Quantum of the Seas
Region: Asia
While Quantum of the Seas is already back in service in Asia, Royal Caribbean now plans to offer Haifa cruises 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. Cruises are exclusive to Israeli guests and are scheduled through October.
Overall, the pause in operations has recently been extended to include all cruises until May 31.
Crystal Cruises
First trip: July 3, 2021
Ship: Crystal Serenity
Region: Bahamas
Crystal Cruises is set to become 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 itinerary entirely through the Bahamas.
The new seven-night cruise program begins in July and is expected to run until at least October.
MSC Cruises
First trip: In service
Ship: MSC Grandiosa
Region: Mediterranean
One of the first major cruise lines to welcome guests back, MSC Cruises is operating in the Mediterranean with MSC Grandiosa. Offering an itinerary with visits to Italy and Malta, the ship must be accompanied by MSC Seaside from May 1st.
Meanwhile, the temporary pause for US-based travel has been extended, canceling all cruises until May 31.
Norwegian Cruise Line
First departure: 4 June 2021
Ship: Norwegian Epic
Region: Mediterranean
In February, Norwegian Cruise Line announced another extension of its service break, now affecting all scheduled trips through May 31. Now, the brand’s first scheduled cruise is set to depart on June 4 with the Norwegian Epic. The ship sails from Civitavecchia (Italy) to five destinations in the Western Mediterranean.
In extending the break, the company also said it continues to work on a return to service plan to meet the requirements for the Conditional Sail Order Framework issued by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Costa Cruises
First departure: March 27, 2021
Ship: Costa Smeralda
Region: Western Italy
Costa Cruises is due 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 back, with cruises of three, four and seven nights to Italian ports.
Starting in May, Costa Luminosa should start sailing to Italy and Croatia, while Smeralda should add stopovers in France and Spain to its itineraries.
Last year, Costa reactivated a total of three ships, but was eventually forced to pause all operations again in December.
Disney Cruise Line
First departure: 4 June 2021
Ship: Disney Dream
Region: Bahamas
In line with other US carriers, Disney Cruise Line canceled all of its operations until May 31. The Disney Dream can now welcome guests back on June 4 for a three-night cruise in the Bahamas from Port Canaveral.
After bringing its ships back to the United States in November, the brand also canceled additional cruises at Disney Wonder and Disney Magic, which were to operate in Alaska and Europe.
Princess Cruises
First trips: July 1, 2021
Ships: Diamond Princess and Ruby Princess
Region: Japan and West Coast
Princess Cruises recently extended its global operational break to include all voyages until June 30. With the change, the first trips planned for the brand’s fleet are scheduled to depart on July 1st, in Asia and the West Coast.
Although cruises have been canceled in some destinations, Princess is also planning to offer new domestic cruises in the UK. Exclusively for local residents, trips are scheduled to begin in late summer at Regal Princess and Sky Princess.
Genting Cruise Lines
First trips: in service
Ships: World Dream and Explorer Dream
Region: Asia – Singapore and Taiwan
In February, Dream Cruises extended its short cruise program in Singapore until June 27. On board the World Dream, the trips are geared towards the local public and have been in operation since November.
Explorer Dream, meanwhile, has been sailing island itineraries in Taiwan since July.
AIDA Cruises
First departure: March 20
Ship: AIDAperla
Region: Canary Islands
Although cruises to other destinations have been canceled until mid-May, AIDA Cruises plans to resume service in the Canaries later this month.
On March 20, AIDAperla is due to start offering a week-long itinerary in the Spanish archipelago.
Celebrity Cruises
First departure: June 1st
Ship: Celebrity Infinity
Region: Eastern Mediterranean
In line with other Royal Caribbean Group brands, Celebrity Cruises extended the suspension of navigation to its global fleet this month. All trips until May 31 are now canceled.
The first cruise currently scheduled for the company’s fleet departs in June. On that date, Celebrity Infinity ships from Venice to Turkey and the Greek islands.
Holland America Line
First departure: 1st of July
Ship: Volendam
Region: Mediterranean
After reducing travel in the Mediterranean until June, Holland America Line will be able to return to service on July 1 with Volendam.
Other summer itineraries to Alaska and Canada / New England are in doubt after the extension of the ban on cruise ships in Canada.
TUI Cruises
First trip: 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 start shipping on 23 July. Currently, the German brand operates in the Canaries, with both Mein Schiff 2 and Mein Schiff 1.
Windstar Cruises
First departure: June 10
Ship: Spirit of the Wind
Region: Tahiti
In February, Windstar Cruises drafted a new return to service plan for its fleet. Now, the company plans to welcome guests back 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 pause in operations to include all trips until June 30. With the move, the company can restart operations on July 10, with the Azamara Pursuit in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Azamara’s new ship, the current Pacific Princess, however, is expected to be in service by 2022.
Silversea Cruises
First departure: May 28
Ship: Silver Explorer
Region: Kimberley, Australia
Silversea Cruises canceled all of their cruises until May 27. Royal Caribbean’s luxury brand now plans to return to service on May 28 with Silver Explorer. That day, the expedition’s ship embarks on a nine-night cruise in Australia’s Kimberly region.
Virgin Voyages
First departure: 1st of July
Ship: Scarlet Lady
Region: Caribbean
Virgin’s inaugural cruise is scheduled for July 1, with 2,770 Scarlet Lady guests sailing from Miami to the Caribbean.
The brand’s second ship also had its launch postponed. The Valiant Lady had its Mediterranean season postponed until 2022 and is now scheduled to open on November 14 in the Caribbean.