Norwegian Cruise Line restart announced in Mediterranean and Caribbean
A Norwegian Cruise Line restart is finally happening, with the cruise line confirming that it will put three ships back into service in the Caribbean and Mediterranean in 2021.
Norwegian Joy, Jade and Gem will lead the Norwegian Cruise Line restart in July.
Norwegian Jade will sail cruises to the Greek Isles from Athens starting on July 25th, Norwegian Joy will sail itineraries from Montego Bay starting on August 7th, and Norwegian Gem will cruise from the Dominican Republic from August 15th.
All of these itineraries will be 6-night cruises and all are available only to fully vaccinated guests.
“As we prepare for our return to cruising, the health and safety of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our first priority, as demonstrated by the establishment of our robust, multi-layered SailSAFE health and safety program…” said Frank Del Rio, President & CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings.
“Safe and highly effective vaccines are a gamechanger, and to create the safest environment possible we will require all guests and crew to be vaccinated against COVID-19,” he added.
Norwegian Cruise Line said these vaccine requirements will be combined with multiple additional layers of protection against COVID-19, including universal testing, closed shore excursions, social distancing onboard and enhanced sanitation.
All three cruise seasons will feature ports of call, but guests will only be allowed to go ashore as part of a ship-organized excursion, and interaction with the public ashore will be limited.
Norwegian Jade will visit a different port daily, including Iraklion, Rhodes, Mykonos, Olympia, Corfu and Santorini, while Norwegian Gem out of the Dominican Republic, and Norwegian Joy out of Montego Bay, will both visit four ports on each cruise.
Sailing from Montego Bay, Norwegian Joy’s port calls include Harvest Caye, Roatan, Cozumel and Ocho Rios. Sailing from La Romana in the Dominican Republic, Norwegian Gem will visit Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Maarten and Antigua.
The Norwegian Cruise Line restart itineraries were announced just days after the cruise line submitted a plan to the CDC that would see cruises from US ports resume on July 4th, if approved.
Del Rio has indicated that the company remains committed to cruising from the US as soon as its able.
“We are excited to unveil our initial plans for the resumption of cruise voyages embarking outside of the U.S. with sailings to the Caribbean and Europe,” he said. “In addition, we continue to plan for a resumption of cruising from U.S. ports and await further discussion with the CDC regarding our proposal for a July 4 restart to participate in America’s national opening.”
