Taking a phased approach to resuming cruises, NCL Cruise Line will restart 3 ships in July and August to three spectacular destinations! These itineraries have been carefully selected to support a gradual and successful return to service plan while prioritizing the health and safety of guests, crew, and the communities they visit around the world.
- The Norwegian Jade cruise ship will operate 7-day cruises to the Greek Isles from Athens (Piraeus), Greece from Jul 25, 2021, through Nov 7, 2021. Ports of call: Iraklion, Rhodes, Mykonos, Katakolon, Corfu & Santorini.
- The Norwegian Joy cruise ship will operate 7-day cruises to the Western Caribbean from Montego Bay, Jamaica from Aug 7, 2021, through Oct 9, 2021. Ports of call: Harvest Caye, Roatan, Cozumel & Ocho Rios.
- The Norwegian Gem cruise ship will operate 7-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean from Punta Cana (La Romana), the Dominican Republic from Aug 15, 2021, through Oct 10, 2021. Ports of call Bridgetown, Castries, Philipsburg, and St. John.
- The NCL Epic will cruise 7 night Western Mediterranean itinerary from Sept 5th – October 24th
- The NCL Getaway 10 & 11 Greek Isles voyage from Rome Sept 13th – October 25, 2021.
Will NCL Cruises Require a Vaccine to cruise?
Yes. All guests and crew must be fully vaccinated, at least 2 weeks prior to departure, in order to board. Guest vaccination requirements are currently for all sailings embarking through October 31, 2021. NCL will follow the science to make determinations on requirements for all other future sailings.
Universal Testing & Pre-Embarkation Protocols
All guests will be required to take a COVID-19 antigen test, administered and paid for by the cruise line, prior to boarding and receive a negative result. Guests are also responsible for complying with all local health and safety requirements which may include additional testing.
Socially Responsible Check-In
NCL designed an enhanced, staggered embarkation process and a new check-in system to streamline check-in for guests by allowing documents to be signed electronically.
Face Coverings
Face coverings are currently required for guests while indoors except for in their own accommodations and while eating and drinking in restaurants, bars and lounges or outdoors when physical distancing is not possible.
Controlled Guest Capacity
NCL will initially control the guest capacity onboard each ship to provide even more space for responsible physical distancing. They have also increased spacing in dining and entertainment venues and other onboard spaces.
Contactless Food Service Ship-Wide
Contactless food and beverage service will be provided across all ships with service staff stationed ship-wide, including all restaurants and lounges.
Hand Sanitation
All guests will be required to engage in frequent hand washing and hand sanitizer will be prominently placed and easily accessible throughout the ship.
Other protocols include an enhanced onboard medical team & health services, a dedicated public health officer onboard, contract tracing and upgraded air filtration systems. The upgraded H13 HEPA air filters are capable of
removing 99.9% of airborne pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Also Read: NCL Future Cruise Credits
NCL Peace of Mind Flexible Booking
Enjoy Peace of Mind when booking with NCL Cruises 2021. Change of plans? No problem. With NCL’s Peace of Mind policy, you can cruise confidently.
For all cruises through October 31, 2021:
- Cancel up to 15 days prior for a Future Cruise Credit
- Get a full refund when canceling up to 60 days prior
After October 2021, the normal cancellation window is 4 months before your cruise vacation then penalties begin.
When Will NCL Resume cruises out of the U.S.?
CEO Frank Del Rio sent a letter yesterday to Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention outlining plans to begin sailing out of the U.S. in July. They stated the cruise line will require all guests to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
On or about July 4, 2021, NCLH vessels propose to begin cruise operations at an initial reduced capacity of 60 percent, gradually ramping up the fleet departing from US ports and increasing capacity by 20 percent every 30 days.
NCL commits to incorporate and operationalize the protocols developed by the Healthy Sail Panel. These protocols include universal testing of guests and crew, combined with required vaccines for all guests and crew, thereby creating a safe environment. Requirements will remain in place until public health conditions allow for the implementation of more lenient protocols.
Norwegian also CC’d the letter to Florida Governor Ron Desantis who has called on the CDC to rescind the no-sail order. Norwegian is optimistic the CDC will agree that mandatory vaccination requirements eliminate the need for the Conditional Sailing Order and therefore requests for the lifting of the order for Norwegian’s ships, allowing them to cruise from U.S. ports starting July 4. The CDC has yet to respond.
Norwegian also operates Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.
Related posts that may interest you:
CDC Guidelines for Cruises out of the U.S. to Resume
Which Cruise Lines Require a COVID-19 vaccine
When Will Cruises Resume 2021
Do I Have To Wear Face Masks on a cruise
