Looks like summer travel is back and in full swing. More than half of Americans booked summer travel plans and another half said they’ll most likely go into debt for summer vacations. The average spend is around $2,400.
The CDC today announced they are relaxing restrictions on mask-wearing outdoors on cruise ships and while in port on shore excursions. The new guidance gives the most flexibility around masks and distancing to ships that reach the 95% vaccination threshold. On vessels that meet this 95% requirement masks will not be required at any time. on ships that do not meet the 95%, vaccinated cruisers will not have to wear a mask outdoors or in designated areas, where non-vaccinated passengers will have to wear masks most of the time.
On Tuesday, Royal Caribbean Cruises became the first cruise line to receive approval from the C.D.C. to conduct simulated voyages, which are planned for its Freedom of the Seas ship starting from PortMiami in Florida in late June. “After months of working with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other government officials, our Healthy Sail Panel and industry partners, we can again offer cruise lovers the chance to enjoy the wonders of cruising. We are truly thankful to reach this special milestone,” Richard D. Fain, Royal Caribbean Group chairman and CEO, said in a press statement.
The Celebrity Edge cruise ship has been cleared to sail from Fort Lauderdale with paying passengers departing from Port Everglades on June 26, with all crew and all passengers over the age of 16 required to show proof they have been fully vaccinated before boarding. After August 1, the vaccination rule will expand to include travelers over the age of 12. Today’s announcement means that eight of the 15 ships within the Celebrity Cruises’ fleet are ready to return to sailing this year, heading to destinations including Alaska, Europe and the Galapagos.
Related: Introducing the New Celebrity Beyond Cruise Ship
Norwegian Cruise Line announced they are going to take longer to resume service on many of their ships, as well as those on their sister companies Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Norwegian is restarting 2 ships this summer, the NCL Jade out of Greece and the NCL Bliss in Alaska. After that ships will come back gradually.
- Norwegian Breakaway will cruise from New York starting Oct. 24
- Pride of America will cruise from Honolulu starting Nov. 6
- Norwegian Encore will cruise from Miami starting Nov. 14
- Norwegian Escape will cruise from Port Canaveral, Florida, starting Nov. 20
- Norwegian Pearl will cruise from Miami starting Dec. 23
- Norwegian Jewel will cruise from Panama City, Panama, starting Jan. 20, 2022
- Norwegian Sun will sail from Hong Kong starting Jan. 28, 2022
- Norwegian Spirit will cruise from Sydney, Australia, and Auckland, New Zealand, starting Feb. 9, 2022
Oceania Cruises plans to restart cruises in the Mediterranean on Aug. 29 with just one ship, the 1,250-passenger Oceania Marina. The Oceania Riviera will sail from Istanbul on October 18th. The Insignia cruise ship will resume on December 21st with a Panama Canal cruise before departing on its sold-out world cruise from Los Angeles. The Oceania Sirena will resume cruises out of Miami on January 22, 2022.
Regent Seven Seas plans to restart cruises in Europe on Sept. 11 with just one ship, the 750-passenger Seven Seas Splendor. Seven Seas Explorer will cruise from Venice starting on Oct 16th. Seven Seas Mariner will begin cruises out of Miami on December 18th and the Seven Seas Navigator also from Miami will start on January 6, 2022. The final ship, the Seven Seas Voyager will restart from Barcelona on February 15th, 2022.
A new geothermal lagoon opened in Iceland. Sky Lagoon opened just outside of Reykjavik and offers a dramatic backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean. Iceland has been open to vaccinated travelers and many hotels and trips are already sold out for this summer. If you’re planning on traveling to Iceland, Sky Lagoon looks like a great place to add to your list of things to see and do. Browse escorted Iceland tours. Browse Iceland tour packages for 2021 and 2022.
Related: Iceland Opens to Vaccinated Travelers
Globus Tours last week began operating tours in North America welcoming travelers on escorted national parks tours. They are also solidifying plants to begin operating Avalon river cruises in July and have hundreds of departure dates in the U.S., Costa Rica and Europe for Globus tours, Cosmos tours and Monograms vacations.
Sandals announced plans for 2 new Jamaica resorts. They just held a groundbreaking ceremony this week for the $230 million project that will include Sandals Dunn’s River followed by the 2nd phase which will be Sandals Royal Dunn’s River. They hope to have the first resort ready to open for the 4th quarter of 2022. Phase II’s completion is been slated for sometime in 2023. In addition to waterfalls at the entrance, Sandals Dunn’s River will offer a total of 260 rooms, including 48 SkyPool Suites, a first for Jamaica, which will have a private, cantilevered, solar-heated plunge pool with an infinity edge. Twelve Swim-up Rondoval Suites, many with a “Rooftop Terrace,” will also grace the property. There will also be 10 restaurants, including a specialty rum bar inside the brand’s newest Latin Fusion restaurant concept, Azuka, to go along with nine bars, seven pools (including two river pools) and a Red Lane Spa. They also plan to renovate Beaches Runaway Bay Resort. Jamaica Vacation packages are running great deals for this summer.
St. Kitts and Nevis are opening to fully vaccinated passengers starting May 29th.
