(Travel Weekly) – Health authorities have approved plans for the resumption of Carnival Cruise Line sailings from three US ports.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) accepted agreements for PortMiami, Port of Galveston and Port Canaveral – the first three homeports Carnival Cruise Line is focusing on for its return to service this summer.
Carnival Horizon from Miami and Carnival Vista and Breeze from Galveston will be the first ships to carry passengers as the line plans a July return to service after almost a year and a half of ships being laid up due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Port Canaveral has also been identified as a “restart priority,” with Carnival expected to reveal plans for operations from there over the coming days.
Under the CDC guidelines, a cruise line must have agreements with its homeports that they are prepared to provide support with additional public health and operational resources prior to the start of simulated cruise and/or full passenger services, according to Carnival.
Chief maritime officer Lars Ljoen said: “These agreements move us one step closer to sailing with our loyal guests.
“We appreciate the support from not just these three homeport partners, but all of our homeports, that are eager to have us back as soon as possible.”