The main shipping lines plan to start again in 2021 in different phases, and news will constantly change.
Here is the latest:
Carnival Cruise Line
First sailing: 1 June 2021
Ships: Carnival Liberty and Carnival Miracle
Region: Bahamas and West Coast
Carnival Cruise Line is currently planning a resumption of service on June 1, with its break in the United States until May 31.
In January, the brand also announced a large number of implementations and schedule changes for some ships.
Royal Caribbean International
First sail: in service
Skip: Quantum of the Seas
Region: Asia
While the Quantum of the Seas is already back in service in Asia, Royal Caribbean is now planning to offer cruises from Haifa with the new Odyssey of the Seas. From June, the vessel will offer two to seven night travel routes to Greece and Cyprus from Haifa. The cruises are exclusive to Israeli guests and are scheduled for October.
Globally, the disruption in operations was recently extended to include all cruises until 31 May.
Crystal Cruises
First sailing: 3 July 2021
Skip: Crystal Serenity
Region: Bahamas
Crystal Cruises becomes the first major cruise line to start again in North America. The luxury brand recently announced plans to operate the Crystal Serenity from Nassau and Bimini, with a full Bahamian itinerary.
The new seven-night cruise program begins in July and should last at least until October.
MSC Cruises
First sail: in service
Skip: MSC Grandiosa
Region: Mediterranean
One of the first major sailing lines to welcome guests back, and MSC Cruises operates in the Mediterranean with the MSC Grandiosa. The MSC Seaside has an itinerary from 1 May with visits to Italy and Malta.
Meanwhile, the temporary suspension of U.S. cruises was further extended and all cruises canceled until May 31st.
Norwegian Cruise Line
First sailing: 4 June 2021
Skip: Norwegian Epic
Region: Mediterranean
In February, Norwegian Cruise Line announces another extension of its service interruption, which now affects all voyages planned until 31 May. Now the brand’s first scheduled cruise will depart on June 4, with the Norwegian Epic. The vessel sails from Civitavecchia (Italy) to five destinations in the Western Mediterranean.
While extending the break, the company also confirmed that it is still working on a return-to-service plan to meet the requirements of the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Costa Cruises
First sailing: 27 March 2021
Skip: Costa Smeralda
Region: Western Italy
Costa Cruises is ready to take service again on March 27 with a new program in the Mediterranean. The Costa Smeralda will be the first ship to welcome guests back, with three-, four- and seven-night voyages to Italian ports.
From May, the Costa Luminosa will start sailing to Italy and Croatia, while Smeralda will have to add calls in France and Spain to its itineraries.
In the past year, Costa reactivated a total of three ships, but finally forced to suspend all operations in December.
Disney Cruise Line
First sailing: 4 June 2021
Skip: Disney Dream
Region: Bahamas
In line with other U.S. operators, Disney Cruise Line canceled all of its operations until May 31st. The Disney Dream can welcome guests on June 4 for a three-night cruise to Port Bahana, Bahamas.
After returning its ships to the U.S. in November, the brand also canceled additional cruises on the Disney Wonder and the Disney Magic, which would operate in Alaska and Europe.
Princess Cruises
First voyages: 1 July 2021
Ships: Diamond Princess and Ruby Princess
Region: Japan and West Coast
Princess Cruises recently expanded its global operational outage to include all cruises through June 30th. With the change, the first voyages for the brand’s fleet will sail in Asia and the West Coast on July 1.
While cruises to some destinations have been further canceled, Princess also plans to offer new inland cruises in the UK. Exclusive to locals, the cruises start in late summer on Regal Princess and Sky Princess.
Genting Cruise Lines
First voyages: in service
Ships: World Dream and Dream of Discovery
Region: Asia – Singapore and Taiwan
In February, Dream Cruises extended its short-haul program in Singapore to 27 June. On board the World Dream, the cruises are aimed at the local public and have been in operation since November.
The Explorer Dream, meanwhile, has been sailing on Taiwan since July.
AIDA Cruises
First sailing: 20 March
Skip: AIDAperla
Region: Canary Islands
While cruises to other destinations have been canceled until mid-May, AIDA Cruises plans to resume service in the Canary Islands later this month.
On March 20, the AIDAperla will start offering a week-long itinerary on the Spanish archipelago.
Famous cruises
First sailing: 1 June
Skip: Celebrity Infinity
Region: Eastern Mediterranean
In line with other Royal Caribbean brand brands, Celebrity Cruises has this month extended the suspension of the voyage for its global fleet. Now all cruises are canceled until 31 May.
The first voyage currently planned for the company’s fleet will depart in June. On that date, the Celebrity Infinity will sail from Venice to Turkey and the Greek islands.
Holland America Line
First sailing: 1 July
Skip: Volendam
Region: Mediterranean
After Holland America Line sailed until June, Holland America Line was able to serve the Volendam again on 1 July.
Other summer routes to Alaska and Canada / New England are in doubt after Canada’s extensive ban on cruise ships.
TUI Cruises
First sail: in service
Ships: My ship 1 and My ship 2
Region: Canary Islands
With a program in Northern Europe, TUI Cruises was one of the first sailing lines to start sailing on 23 July. At present the German brand is in the Canary Islands, with the Mein Schiff 2 as well as the Mein Schiff 1.
Windstar Cruises
First sailing: 10 June
Skip: Wind Spirit
Region: Tahiti
In February, Windstar Cruises outlined a new service delivery plan for its fleet. The company plans to welcome guests again on June 10 with a cruise on Tahiti aboard the Wind Spirit.
Azamara
First sailing: 10 July
Skip: Azamara Pursuit
Region: Eastern Mediterranean
As an independent brand, Azamara recently expanded its break to include all cruises until June 30th. With the change, the company may resume its Azamara pursuit in the eastern Mediterranean on July 10.
However, Azamara’s new ship, the current Pacific Princess, should be operational by 2022.
Silversea Cruises
First sailing: 28 May
Skip: Silver Explorer
Region: Kimberley, Australia
Silversea Cruises has canceled all its voyages until May 27th. Royal Caribbean’s luxury brand now plans to return to service with the Silver Explorer on 28 May. On that day, the expedition ship will sail on a nine-night voyage in the Kimberly region of Australia.
Virgin Voyages
First sailing: 1 July
Skip: Scarlet Lady
Region: Caribbean Islands
Virgin’s inaugural flight is currently scheduled for July 1, with the Scarlet Lady of 2,770 guests sailing from Miami to the Caribbean.
The launch of the second ship was also delayed. The Valiant Lady’s Mediterranean season has been postponed until 2022 and will begin on November 14 in the Caribbean.