RCI-Royal Caribbean International announced it plans to resume cruises starting on September 16, 2020. According to the company, their first voyage will be a 3-night ‘Bahamas and Perfect Day‘ roundtrip scheduled for September 18.
However, RCI's regular passenger shipping operations will continue to be impacted by the COVID crisis. Due to the extended ban on cruise ships by Canada's Government, all Canada-based itineraries are currently suspended through October 31.
Other affected cruises that won't be sailing with the reopening include:
- Explorer of the Seas August 2020 cruises are canceled due to a technical drydock for routine maintenance.
- Copenhagen Denmark cruise terminals remain closed and as a result, the following sailings are canceled: Jewel of the Seas August 8, 16, and 23; Brilliance of the Seas August 21, 2020.
- All Bermuda sailings are canceled through October 31, 2020.
- Voyager of the Seas sailings through September 30, and Spectrum of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas cruises through July 2020.
- Odyssey of the Seas sailings from November 5, 2020, through April 17, 2021.
For all passengers affected by the cancellations, the cruise company stated that refunds are taking up to 45 days to process.
Royal Caribbean also announced they are currently working on new health and safety protocols that are due to launch when operations resume.