The cruise industry is one of those that has been hardest hit by the pandemic. Many cruise lines have had to stop operation since their passengers can’t travel to meet them or to do anything else of that nature. Most cruise lines shut down their services for the vast majority of 2020. However, with recovery, there’s hope of them resuming very soon. Cruise lines are scheduling their reopenings based on falling infection rates and increased vaccination.
Each cruise line will have their own rules about who can travel with them. This is mostly because each country will have rules regarding non-essential travel. Most of the time this means that cruise lines simply won’t run out of ports where non-essential travel isn’t banned. The best way to ensure that you’re eligible to join one of these upcoming cruises is to contact the cruise line directly. It’s a great time to do so too. Cruises are highly discounted thanks to their issues and shutdown. This means that as long as you’re willing to plan ahead a bit and keep your optimism, you could be in line for a first class vacation at a discount.
1 - Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
While Royal Caribbean hasn’t completely returned, it has begun to sail some cruises. Ships are departing from China and Singapore in March. These are likely seen as a test of their viability and safety. The goal for Royal Caribbean is to resume full operations come May 2021 for all of its destinations and routes.
2 - Aida Cruise Lines
Like many cruise lines, their plans have been pushed back repeatedly. The latest update shows that their European cruises will resume as of March 2021. Cruises for those from the United States have to wait a bit longer, but they will be coming back in 2021 at least. Carnival owns Aida, so there’s some solid investment behind the cruise line and there’s little worry of them disappearing.
3 - Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises is expecting to resume soon as well. Their current estimation will have some of their cruise areas starting up as soon as May 15. It’s expected that their cruises around Australia and New Zealand will have to wait until June before they begin, but this is still right around the corner. The downside is that many of the exciting spring cruises to areas like Alaska aren’t going to be happening this spring.
4 - Viking Cruises
Viking cruises are getting close to coming back as well. While they had to rule out all of 2020, their cruises for 2021 are soon going to return. Spring cruises may not be going on, but Viking is intending to return soon. Like most cruise lines, Viking are offering big discounts on future cruises and giving advanced trip credit on anything that needs to be rescheduled.
5 - Disney Cruises
Disney cruises are some of the most exciting for families. While many families have surely gotten a lot of time together recently, it’s also very possible that they want to get out and explore. Disney’s various cruise lines are scheduled to start resuming their voyages as of April 24, with a ship leaving each week until May 12.
6 - Costa Cruises
This is one of the smaller cruise lines on this list, servicing the Italian region almost exclusively. Costa cruises is shut down currently, but is intending to return very soon. Costa cruises are expecting to resume their cruises on March 13th. This will apply to standard 7 day cruises, but will also offer some mini 3 and 4 day cruises to try and satisfy those who want a trip, but aren’t willing to spend too many days away.
