Are Cruise Ships Still Running?

By Robert Palmer

If you’ve been planning a cruise vacation or are simply curious about the state of the cruise industry amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, you may be wondering if cruise ships are still running. The answer is both yes and no, depending on where you look.

Cruise Lines Pause Operations

In March 2020, many major cruise lines made the decision to temporarily pause operations as part of a global effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. This meant that cruises scheduled for departure in the immediate future were canceled or postponed indefinitely.

Since then, some cruise lines have extended their pause in operations multiple times as they continue to monitor the situation and work with health experts to develop new safety protocols. Others have resumed limited operations with modified itineraries and reduced passenger capacity.

Resumption of Cruising

Currently, some cruise lines have resumed sailing in certain parts of the world under strict protocols and guidelines. For example:

  • Royal Caribbean International is offering cruises from Singapore on Quantum of the Seas with a reduced capacity of about 50% and mandatory testing for all passengers and crew members before boarding.
  • Norwegian Cruise Line has announced plans to resume cruises from Athens, Greece starting July 25th, 2021 with fully vaccinated passengers and crew members.

Factors Affecting Cruise Operations

The resumption of cruising depends largely on factors such as vaccine distribution, travel restrictions, and government regulations. As more people get vaccinated against COVID-19 and travel restrictions ease up in certain parts of the world, it’s likely that more cruise lines will begin operating again. However, it’s also possible that unforeseen changes such as new variants or spikes in cases could cause cruise operators to pause their operations once again.

In Conclusion

So, are cruise ships still running Yes, some are, but it’s important to check with individual cruise lines for the latest updates and changes to their schedules. As the world continues to navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, the resumption of cruising is likely to be a slow and cautious process with safety being the top priority.