Royal Caribbean International has submitted its plan to conduct test cruises to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, moving a step closer to the return of cruising to U.S. waters.
According to Royal Caribbean Blog, the cruise line has secured port agreements - it did not say where - to conduct the simulated voyages.
"Over the past several weeks the cruise industry has been in productive meetings with the CDC, DOT (Department of Transportation), USCG (United States Coast Guard), HHS (Health and Human Services), and other government authorities resulting in multiple updates to the CSO (Conditional Sail Order)," Royal Caribbean President and CEO Michael Bayley wrote in a Facebook post.
"The huge success of vaccines in the USA and many other countries and a commitment from the industry to operate with all of our crew vaccinated and the large number of vaccinated guests has created a clear pathway forward."
In fact, Bayley had a separate post with pictures showing nearly 400 Royal Caribbean employees being vaccinated.
"(Friday) Royal Caribbean submitted the first of several port/health plans to the CDC which are required to receive approval for the simulated voyages which are required to precede approval for regular cruises," Bayley wrote. "As we continue to vaccinate our crew we are preparing for our return to service. In the coming days and weeks we will announce more exciting news for all our crew and all our loyal guests."
The CDC is expected to respond in five business days.
According to the blog, under the CDC's Framework for Conditional Sailing Order (CSO), cruise lines must first get an agreement with each port for the health and safety of crew, passengers and port personnel.
So far, Royal Caribbean has secured port agreements with at least two ports: Port Canaveral and Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale). Others port agreements may be in place as well, but it has not been publicly divulged.
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