Royal Caribbean revealed it is prepared for a possible announcement of sailings restarting next week, depending on the "No Sail" order.
Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean's Senior Vice President, Sales, Trade Support and Service, informed travel agents that there was a possibility next week if the U.S. Center for Disease Control (CDC) lifts the order. During the webinar with travel agents, Freed mentioned the possibility of restarting cruises in case an announcement was made, or delaying the discussion in case no decision was reached.
The "No Sail" order is a ban on cruise ships that prohibits any cruise ships with 250+ passengers from operating in the United States through October 31, 2020. Royal Caribbean canceled its sailings through November 30.
The company has been shut down since mid-March due to the COVID crisis, and the order has been the major obstacle to any restart plan in North America.
Royal Caribbean's CEO and four other cruise companies met with the CDC and Vice President Pence last week to discuss the detailed steps the lines will employ to operate safely. They discussed how the current global crisis impacts the industry, along with the No Sail Order, and the CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) and Healthy Sail Panel’s proposal to resume operations in a responsible manner.
While the No Sail order is stopping voyages in North America, Royal Caribbean will commence sailings with its Quantum of the Seas in December 2020 from Singapore.