11 Things You Need to Know About When Cruising Will Return

The cruise industry has been heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic but as much of the world begins to reopen, cruise lines are eyeing their own rebound. While cruising will undoubtedly be slightly different in the time of coronavirus, demand remains strong and many companies have already mapped out safe recovery strategies, most of which require just a few extra steps from passengers. With cruising poised to return in the weeks and months ahead, here's what guests need to know.

The biggest question facing the industry right now is when it'll be safe to resume sailings. The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently has a "no sail" order in place until July 24 for any ship carrying more than 250 passengers and many major cruise lines don't plan to resume operations until later this summer. However, smaller cruise lines such as American Cruise Lines and American Queen Steamboat Company are eyeing return dates of June 20 and June 22, respectively. For now, August 1 would be the soonest cruise lines like Carnival and Royal Caribbean return to the sea while others have targeted the fall or 2021.

In the beginning, at least, many cruise ships are likely to operate at reduced capacity to meet regulations and allow for physical distancing between guests and staff. Much like airlines, national parks, restaurants and other places, cruise lines could place a cap on the number of guests it allows on a ship at a given time to reduce the likelihood of COVID-19 transmission.

Needing to leave at least six feet of space between yourself and others shouldn't come as a shock at this point but social distancing has and will continue to be paramount to slowing the spread of coronavirus, meaning cruise passengers will likely be expected to implement this strategy when they return to the world's rivers and seas.

Much like physical distancing, deep cleaning and disinfection are vital to reducing the spread of germs and many cruise lines have already committed to enhancing their cleaning protocols and upping the frequency at which they disinfect commonly used surfaces and areas in addition to guests' staterooms.

The way air is filtered aboard cruise ships will undoubtedly change as we move toward a post-pandemic world. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line has already announced that it is replacing its existing air filters with medical-grade H13 HEPA filters that remove 99.95 percent of airborne pathogens.

Passengers who are experiencing symptoms common with COVID-19 should always stay at home and make plans to postpone their trip. However, even healthy travelers are likely to be required to undergo some non-invasive screening ahead of their sailing. With testing still relatively limited, things like "fit to travel" documents or temperature checks could become common for passengers boarding cruise ships in the near future.

To further aid the effort of social distancing, cruise lines may become more strategic about check-in times to limit crowds and ensure guests can embark safely.

In addition to testing kits, additional medical supplies and properly trained personnel, cruise ships are likely to add dedicated isolation rooms in the event that a guest or crew member contracts COVID-19.

Future cruise passengers shouldn't be surprised to be required to wear face-coverings in the age of COVID-19. While masks may not be mandatory in all areas of the ship, it's likely that some pubic spaces where food and drink aren't being served will require guests to cover their mouth and nose. It might not be long-term but cruise lines are preparing for a potential "new normal." Royal Caribbean filed an application with the United States Patent and Trademark Office for a new brand of sanitary facial masks called Seaface.

A cruise ship staple, buffets might not go away entirely but the way they operate will surely change. After originally hinting that it would eliminate buffets in the beginning, Royal Caribbean acknowledged that the experience will be different. "(Where) everybody reaches in and everybody touches the same tongs, you're not going to see (that) on land or sea," said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited. "(But) it doesn't mean that you don't have a buffet. You might have it where all of that is served to you by other people. And there (are) other possibilities. But the point is that it will evolve."

Inevitably, some passengers will need to cancel their cruise but many companies are offering flexible change and cancellation policies and giving customers added incentive to rebook rather than seek a refund by offering future cruise credits of 125 or even 150 percent in some cases. This means that guests who postpone their sailing rather than cancel and request a refund can rebook a future voyage with added bonuses and perks, including upgraded accommodations.