CCL-Carnival Cruise Line's brand ambassador, John Heald, provided updates on the various issues the line has been dealing with in regard to staffing.
Heald also provided an update on Camp Ocean, testing, and recent feuds between passengers on CCL voyages.
CCL and many other major cruise shipping companies have been dealing with crew shortages on their vessels for months. A number of US embassies are facing a backlog of visa applications, preventing the crew from joining cruise ships.
CCL has now said it hoped to be able to reach normal staffing levels by the end of July or early August.
US Customs & Border Protection stepped up and allowed crew to join the liners even though their visas had expired.
John Heald said they had "to acknowledge the wonderful cooperation of the US Customs and Border Protection in allowing many crew members from all over the world, from the Philippines, from Indonesia, from South Africa, from all over Europe, from India, to return to business with expired visas and then they actually renew them while on the ship.”
Bringing the cruise ships back to normal staffing levels means CCL can reopen places like Cucina Del Capitano (menu) and bring back tea time, and 24-hour pizza, which currently operates between 08:00-03:00.
The return of the entire crew opened the door to more options for the little ones, including 2- to 5-year-olds. Camp Ocean is now open to all kids this age, including vaccinated/unvaccinated children.
CCL also opens Camp Ocean in the evenings, giving parents the opportunity to have a romantic dinner and catch a show while their children munch on nuggets/other treats.
For now, the night out program is open only to kids aged 2 to 11, but when staffing levels are at full potential, Carnival will also open Camp Ocean for the youngest lids, which includes babysitting services.