Working remotely has taken off in 2020. Now another unique opportunity presents itself. You could be one of the first to take a Royal Caribbean cruise when they resume. The best part is that you can sail for free! What’s the catch? Before Royal Caribbean and all other major cruise lines can restart cruises with paying passengers, they will need to conduct test sailings.
Vicki Freed, Senior Vice President of Sales, Trade Support and Service, said that while details aren’t worked out, the company will have a number of trial cruises with volunteers and employees with the goal of convincing the CDC that cruise lines can restart operations. Freed also stated that the first cruises will be short sailings to the company’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, with employees and some volunteers. The Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas, which were recently refurbished, are expected to be the first two ships to test with mock sailings. It is not clear yet how volunteers will be selected for that process.
Royal Caribbean isn’t the only cruise line seeking volunteers. Carnival Cruise Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Regent Cruises, Oceania Cruises and Crystal Cruises are also planning test cruises. It is possible however that some companies may use crew, cruise line staff & their families versus seeking outside volunteers.
Cruise companies must inform volunteers in writing that they are “participating in a simulation of unproven and untested health and safety protocols for purposes of simulating a cruise ship voyage and that sailing during a pandemic is an inherently risky activity,” according to the conditional order. We are certain that releases will be required. Volunteers for the mock voyages must be over the age of 18, and provide a written certification from a healthcare provider that they have no pre-existing medical conditions.
Avid cruise fans are already calling asking how they can get onto a test voyage.
