Update (as of May 7, 2021): Celebrity Cruises is also restarting its Galapagos Islands sailings this summer and fall onboard Celebrity Flora (starting July 4); Celebrity Xpedition (July 24); and Celebrity Xploration (Sept. 18). The trio of vessels will sail with a vaccinated crew, vaccinated adult guests and children under the age of 18 with a negative PCR test result.
Celebrity Cruises is plotting its comeback in the Caribbean for this summer. Celebrity Millennium will embark roundtrip from St. Maarten, beginning June 5.
Along with inoculated crew, the recently refurbished Millennium will accommodate COVID-19 vaccinated adult passengers and children under the age of 18 who provide a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken within 72 hours of embarkation. The Healthy Sail Panel safety measures developed by parent company Royal Caribbean Group, in collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., will also be in place and will evolve alongside current public health standards.
“Returning to the Caribbean after more than a year away is such a significant moment for us,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, president and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, in a press release.
“It marks the measured beginning of the end of what has been a uniquely challenging time for everyone,” she added. “We have been in constant contact with the leadership of St. Maarten these past months to support each other and share learnings and best practices. That we’re able to offer people the opportunity to safely vacation onboard the revolutionized Celebrity Millennium is incredible, and that we will sail from the magical island of St. Maarten is very special. I am forever grateful for the support and collaboration of the St. Maarten government.”
While some travelers may not be able to sail until they are vaccinated, they should make their reservations now with a travel advisor, since there will be limited onboard capacity and there is a lot of pent-up demand.
Free of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s continuing restrictions on departures directly from the U.S., a pair of weeklong itineraries will visit either Aruba, Curacao and Barbados, or Tortola, St. Lucia and Barbados through August 2021.
The travel advisor community is already excited about these latest developments, according to Vicky Garcia, co-owner and chief operating officer of Cruise Planners.
“Celebrity Cruises continues to be a leader, and I am so thrilled they have announced a safe return to sailing option for American cruisers,” she said in a statement.
“Celebrity has found a creative solution with a beautiful Eastern Caribbean itinerary while still delivering a great onboard experience,” she said. “I am vaccinated, and I'm ready to sail now. American cruisers are excited a major cruise line has provided an option in the Caribbean for those who are eager to cruise while following safely protocols. While some travelers may not be able to sail until they are vaccinated, they should make their reservations now with a travel advisor, since there will be limited onboard capacity, and there is a lot of pent-up demand.”
The new Caribbean sailings will go on sale March 25.
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