Royal Caribbean Can Sail, But It Will Be Under These Cruising Conditions

Royal Caribbean (RCL) announced that it will return to U.S. waters in July with an Alaskan cruise, but not before it begins test sailings under the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines in June.

The cruise line is the first to receive approval to operate a simulated cruise with volunteer passengers on board to test COVID-19 protocols in U.S. waters.

Michael Bayley, CEO of Royal Caribbean International, wrote in a post on Facebook about the announcement, “After 15 months and so much work by so many during very challenging times. To all our colleagues, loyal guests and supporters all over the world I am proud and pleased to share some bright and wonderful news ! Boom ! Onwards and upwards team !”

Royal Caribbean will sail its Freedom of the Seas ship with volunteer passengers next month but will not make vaccines a requirement for cruising under the CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, USA Today reported.

However, all passengers must be 18 or older and, if not vaccinated, have written documentation from a healthcare provider or self-consent that they are not high risk for contracting COVID as directed by the CDC, the news outlet said.

All passengers will also be examined for COVID symptoms prior to boarding the ship as well as before disembarking, and they must also agree to be tested for COVID three to five days following their cruise, according to USA Today.

For the July and August sailings, Royal Caribbean said it will require passengers to be fully vaccinated against COVID.

Passengers ages 16 and older traveling with the cruise line will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 before Aug. 1, while travelers ages 12 and older will need to be fully vaccinated as of Aug. 1 to board the ship, the company said. Those under the age of 12 will receive a COVID test prior to sailing, Royal Caribbean said.

Summer cruises will depart for seven nights from Seattle to Alaska on the Serenade and Ovation of the Seas Ships on July 19 and Aug. 13, respectively. Both cruises are available for bookings now.

“To see the communities, industry and government successfully pass a solution that will help bring these communities back to life shows the great progress and clear paths we can make together,” Bayley, said in a statement. “We are confident this is just the first part of our return to cruising from the U.S.”

Shares of Royal Caribbean were trading at $90.35 as of premarket hours on Wednesday, up $1.35, or 1.52%.