Following the recent announcement by the USA's CDC agency (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) that cruises could resume from US seaports by mid-July 2021, the world's largest cruise shipping companies are moving forward with their restart plans and have already started with the preparations for the upcoming season.
Three major brands already announced the start of crew COVID-19 vaccination including CCL-Carnival Cruise Line, RCI-Royal Caribbean International, and MSC Cruises.
Gianni Onorato (MSC's CEO) announced a fleet-wide COVID-19 vaccination program for crew members. All crew of MSC Bellissima liner already completed their vaccination. Next to follow is the crew of MSC Virtuosa, which will be vaccinated ahead of the boat’s maiden voyage on May 20.
Michael Bayley (RCI's President and CEO) said that the Explorer of the Seas skeleton crew had received the vaccine in PortMiami Florida, and the crew onboard Liberty of the Seas and Celebrity Equinox were getting vaccinated as well. Bayley highlighted the importance of the vaccines in the company’s return to cruising in the Caribbean and North America.
In a video message, CCL's President Christine Duffy revealed that crew members on 2 Carnival ships will be vaccinated in Port Galveston. She added Carnival Paradise ship's crew had already received COVID vaccines from the Barbados government.