Royal Caribbean International (RCI) President and CEO Michael Bayley said in a Facebook post that 100,000 people had already signed up for the line's free volunteer cruises.
In just the first day since the company opened up a Facebook group and sign up form for anyone interested in being a test cruise volunteer, 22,000+ people joined RCI's FB page to get more information.
Royal Caribbean has responded to a wealth of inquiries on how people might be able to sign up to be volunteers on a mock sailing that would help test out the new protocols of the line.
Before cruise companies can get started on simulated cruising plans, they must confirm they have met the CDC's requirements for protecting crew onboard ships, namely that they will be regularly tested.
The CDC's framework also requires simulated cruises to meet a series of requirements, including that guests are informed in writing "that they are participating in a simulation of unproven and untested health and safety protocols" and, "that sailing during a pandemic is an inherently risky activity."
Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, and they have to confirm they don't have pre-existing medical conditions.
The mock cruises have to meet the CDC requirements for onboard hand hygiene, social distancing, and face coverings. Laboratory testing will take place for all crew members and guests when they embark and disembark.
The cruise company must send a report after the mock trip is completed, which the Centers will review, provide feedback, and issue a COVID-19 Conditional Sailing Certificate to assume all requirements have been met.
Royal Caribbean opened up its Facebook group Volunteer of the Seas in an effort to easily collect information on anyone who might be interested.