Royal Caribbean has gotten the thumbs up from the CDC to begin simulated cruises from the United States beginning this summer.
Royal Caribbean announced on Tuesday that it has been granted permission to launch a “trial” cruise on the ship Freedom of the Seas June 20-22. The CDC posted an approval letter on the approval on Facebook by Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley.
Royal Caribbean must operate their first two trial voyages with at least 10% of the ship’s capacity, and remind those trial passengers that currently cruising is deemed high risk by the CDC with regard to COVID-19.
Face masks and social distancing policies will be in place during the simulated cruises.
Cruise line operators will be able to avoid these restrictions if they confirm that 98% of their crew and 95% of passengers are vaccinated.
