Cruise Specialists Blog

Making Your Travel Easier

  • Cruise Lines
  • Cruise Destinations
  • Cruise News
  • River Cruises
  • Ship Reviews
Blog Home / Cruise Destinations / Caribbean Cruise Reviews

Cruising’s Comeback has a Start Date

Maggie Blehert

What started as one encouraging announcement from one luxury cruise line on March 11, 2021, has now become a movement. Cruising is poised for its first significant comeback for North American travelers starting June 2021.

Crystal Cruises announced on March 11 that it would home port Crystal Serenity in the Bahamas starting July 3, 2021. A few days later, more cruise lines began making announcements, and the earliest date for a North American restart is now Celebrity Cruises on June 5, with 7-day cruises out of St. Maarten.

There have been very limited and closely monitored cruises in Europe and Asia over the past year, but these are the first opportunities for close-to-home ocean cruises for North American travelers since cruising paused in March 2020.

tropical beach and trees
The Bahamas, courtesy Peter Hansen on Unsplash

Vaccines Required

Cruise Specialists is closely following developments at every cruise line. Here are the latest updates from those who have announced a Caribbean comeback for summer 2021:

Cruise Line Cruise Ship Planned Start Date From/To Guest Requirements
Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Millennium June 5, 2021 Roundtrip St. Maarten Vaccines required for adults
Royal Caribbean Adventure of the Seas June 12, 2021 Roundtrip Nassau, the Bahamas Vaccines required for adults
Crystal Cruises Crystal Serenity July 3, 2021 Roundtrip Bimini
or Nassau, the Bahamas
Vaccines required for adults
Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady July 4, 2021 Roundtrip Miami Vaccines required for all (adults-only cruise line)
Crystal Cruises Crystal Symphony August 5, 2021 Roundtrip St. John’s, Antigua Vaccines required for adults
Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Joy August 7, 2021 Roundtrip Montego Bay, Jamaica Vaccines required for all ages
Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Gem August 15, 2021 Roundtrip Punta Cana (La Romana), Dominican Republic Vaccines required for all ages

All of the above cruise lines plan to sail at reduced capacity during their start-up phase with these ships.

Vacationers will meet the travel requirements set by the destination from where their cruise departs. Depending on the destination, that may include but is not limited to:

  • Negative PCR test* result before arrival (timeframes may vary depending on country)
  • Testing upon arrival into the country
  • Filling out appropriate forms

Guidelines for children under the age of 18 who are not required to be vaccinated to cruise may be different and in most cases for children, a negative COVID-19 test result within a specified time frame is required. (Virgin Voyages is an adults-only cruise line.) Check with your cruise line for the most up to date information. Many cruise lines are waiting to make announcements regarding mask requirements.

Crew will also be fully vaccinated on the following lines:

  • Celebrity Cruises
  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Royal Caribbean
  • Virgin Voyages
  • Crystal Cruises – the expectation is all crew will be vaccinated with some initial exceptions combined with rigorous testing; they will be a requirement of employment once vaccine is widely available

The Stunning Destinations

With each announcement comes a feeling of exhilaration as travelers learn about the glorious islands and beach destinations each cruise ship will visit. Here are more specifics on the special itineraries:

Celebrity Cruises
7-Night Roundtrips from St. Maarten

Itineraries (choice of 2 itineraries):
Phillipsburg, St. Maarten · at sea · Willemstad, Curacao · Oranjestad, Aruba · at sea · Bridgetown, Barbados · at sea · Phillipsburg, St. Maarten
OR
Phillipsburg, St. Maarten · at sea · Tortola, British Virgin Islands · at sea · Castries, St. Lucia · Bridgetown, Barbados · at sea · Phillipsburg, St. Maarten

tropical beach
Bathsheba Beach, Barbados, courtesy Celebrity Cruises

Royal Caribbean
7-Night Roundtrips from Nassau, the Bahamas

Sample Itinerary for 7-Night Bahamas & Cozumel Cruise with 2 Days at Perfect Day: Nassau, Bahamas · Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas (private island) · at sea · Cozumel, Mexico · Grand Bahama Island, Bahamas · Nassau, Bahamas

cruise ship at Caribbean island
Perfect Day at CocoCay, courtesy Royal Caribbean

Crystal Cruises
Crystal Serenity: 7-Night Roundtrips from Nassau, the Bahamas

Itinerary: Nassau, Bimini, Harbour Island, Great Exuma, San Salvador Island, Long Island (all in the Bahamas) · at sea · Nassau

cruise ship pool area
Crystal Serenity pool area

 

Crystal Symphony: 7-Night Roundtrips from St. John’s, Antigua

Itinerary: St. John’s, Antigua · Bridgetown, Barbados · Trinidad and Tobago · Castries, St. Lucia · Philipsburg, St. Maarten · Tortola, Roadtown, British Virgin Islands · St. John’s, Antigua

Crystal Cruises noted that as more islands in the Caribbean begin to reopen, Crystal may add additional ports to their itineraries and will inform guests and travel partners of any changes.

 

Virgin Voyages
Various itineraries available. Caribbean voyages cruise roundtrip Miami.

Sample 5-Day Itinerary: Miami, Florida · Cozumel, Mexico · Playa del Carmen, Mexico · The Beach Club at Bimini, Bahamas · Miami, Florida

pool and lounge chairs on cruise ship
Scarlet Lady, Virgin Voyages

 

Norwegian Cruise Line
Choice of two itineraries—a 7-day roundtrip Montego Bay, Jamaica or a 7-day roundtrip Punta Cana (La Romana) Dominican Republic

Montego Bay itinerary: Montego Bay, Jamaica · at sea · Harvest Caye, Belize (NCL’s private destination) · Roatán, Honduras · Cozumel, Mexico · at sea · Ocho Rios, Jamaica · Montego Bay, Jamaica

Punta Cana itinerary: Punta Cana (La Romana), Dominican Republic · at sea · Bridgetown, Barbados · Castries, St. Lucia · Philipsburg, St. Maarten · St. John’s Antigua · at sea · Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

sea turtle underwater
Sea turtle in Roatan, Honduras, photo courtesy Erin Simmons on Unsplash

 

What about the CDC?

The cruise industry has been working closely with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to restart cruising from U.S. homeports. While an announcement on when that can happen has not yet occurred, the cruise lines that are starting from the Bahamas and Caribbean ports will be utilizing dozens of safety measures cruise lines have collaborated on and developed in the past year.

As we receive more information on the path toward cruising, we will update this blog post.

Our cruise experts can coordinate a worry-free cruise vacation for you and our services are complimentary.


Meet our Cruise Consultants here.

 

*Editor’s Note: What is a PCR test or a COVID-19 PCR test? As defined by the Mayo Clinic:  Also called a molecular test, this COVID-19 test detects genetic material of the virus using a lab technique called polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A fluid sample is collected by inserting a long nasal swab (nasopharyngeal swab) into your nostril and taking fluid from the back of your nose or by using a shorter nasal swab (mid-turbinate swab) to get a sample. In some cases, a long swab is inserted into the back of your throat (oropharyngeal swab), or you may spit into a tube to produce a saliva sample. Results may be available in minutes if analyzed onsite or a few days — or longer in locations with test processing delays — if sent to an outside lab. PCR tests are very accurate when properly performed by a health care professional, but the rapid test can miss some cases.
Source, Mayo Clinic: //www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/covid-19-diagnostic-test/about/pac-20488900

 

More from my site

  • Holding a Future Cruise Credit? Cruise Specialists Can Help.Holding a Future Cruise Credit? Cruise Specialists Can Help.
  • Four Things We Like About Older Cruise ShipsFour Things We Like About Older Cruise Ships
  • Top Ten Specialty Restaurants at Sea: Where Will You Dine Tonight?Top Ten Specialty Restaurants at Sea: Where Will You Dine Tonight?
  • The Rejuvenated Crystal SerenityThe Rejuvenated Crystal Serenity

Caribbean Cruise Reviews, Celebrity Cruise Reviews, Cruise FAQs, Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruise Reviews, Norwegian Cruise Reviews, Royal Caribbean Cruise Reviews, Virgin Voyages

SEARCH ARTICLES

ABOUT THE AUTHORS

Maggie Blehert

Her ideal travel day: venturing to a new place, learning something interesting and sharing a smile.
View My Blog Posts

Steve and Wendy Bodenheimer
Cruise Specialists Voyage Hosts reporting on their round the world journeys.
View My Blog Posts

Ralph Grizzle

The Avid Cruiser. Well-traveled and insightful. Helping you make informed cruise decisions.
View My Blog Posts

Article Categories

  • Amusement Parks
  • Cruise Destinations
    • Africa Cruise Reviews
    • Alaska Cruise Reviews
    • Amazon Cruise Reviews
    • Antarctica Cruise Reviews
    • Arctic Cruise Reviews
    • Asia Cruise Reviews
    • Australia/New Zealand
    • Baltic Cruise Reviews
    • California
    • Canada/New England Cruise Reviews
    • Caribbean Cruise Reviews
    • Cuba Cruise Reviews
    • Europe Cruise Reviews
    • Galapagos Cruise Reviews
    • Grand Voyages
    • Hawaii Cruise Reviews
    • Iceland/Greenland
    • Mediterranean Cruise Reviews
    • Mexico Cruise Reviews
    • Panama Canal Cruise Reviews
    • Scandinavia and Northern Europe Cruise Reviews
    • South America Cruise Reviews
    • South Pacific Cruise Reviews
    • Transatlantic Cruise Reviews
    • World Cruise Reviews
  • Cruise FAQs
  • Cruise Lines
    • Abercrombie & Kent
    • AmaWaterways Cruise Reviews
    • American Cruise Line Reviews
    • American Queen Steamboat Company Reviews
    • Aqua Expeditions
    • Atlas Ocean Voyages Reviews
    • Avalon Cruise Reviews
    • Azamara Cruise Reviews
    • Celebrity Cruise Reviews
    • Celebrity Galapagos Cruise Reviews
    • Crystal Cruise Reviews
    • Crystal Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Crystal World Cruise Reviews
    • Cunard Cruise Reviews
    • Cunard World Cruise Reviews
    • Disney Cruise Reviews
    • Holland America Line Cruise Reviews
    • Holland America World Cruise Reviews
    • Hurtigruten
    • Lindblad/National Geographic
    • Norwegian Cruise Reviews
    • Oceania
    • Oceania Cruise Reviews
    • Oceania World Cruise Reviews
    • Paul Gauguin Cruise Reviews
    • Ponant Cruise Reviews
    • Princess Cruise Reviews
    • Quark Expeditions Reviews
    • Regent Cruise Reviews
    • Regent Seven Seas Cruise
    • Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection
    • Royal Caribbean Cruise Reviews
    • Scenic Eclipse Discovery Yacht Reviews
    • Scenic River Cruise Reviews
    • Seabourn Cruise Reviews
    • Seabourn Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Silversea World Cruise Reviews
    • Star Clippers Cruise Reviews
    • Tauck Cruise and Tauck Land Tour Reviews
    • UnCruise Adventures
    • Uniworld Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Expedition Cruise Reviews
    • Viking Ocean Cruise Reviews
    • Virgin Voyages
    • Windstar Cruise Reviews
    • Zegrahm Expeditions
  • Cruise News
  • Cruise Ports
  • Cruise Specialists Benefits
  • Crystal Cruises
  • Group Travel
  • Hosted Cruises
  • Hotel and Land Travel
    • Luxury Hotels
    • Palace Resorts Reviews
    • Shore Excursions
    • Tour Review
    • Trains
  • Ralph Grizzle
  • River Cruises
  • Ship Reviews
  • Solo Cruising
  • Specialty Cruises
  • Theme Cruises
  • Tom Mullen
Visit Vacation.com Insider's profile on Pinterest.

FOLLOW US ON

  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter