By
Alex Smith |
Three of Carnival Corporation’s cruise brands will return to service in the US in July with Alaska itineraries departing from Seattle, Washington.
Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and Carnival Cruise Line plan to resume operations for a partial season, each with one ship sailing roundtrip. These cruises will be available for guests who have proof that they have received their final dose of an approved Covid-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the beginning of the cruise. Crew vaccinations will take place in line with guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
"We are excited to once again serve our guests from the US, and we express our deep gratitude to all national, state and local officials who have worked collaboratively with us, the CDC and our entire industry to make this possible,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “It is great news for cruising, for travellers ready to again explore the world and for all the communities in Alaska that depend on cruising and have suffered great hardships over the past year.”
Princess Cruises will resume operations in Alaska from 25 July to 26 September with seven-day cruises onboard Majestic Princess. The voyages will visit destinations including Glacier Bay National Park, Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan.
Holland America Line, meanwhile, will resume with seven-day itineraries onboard Nieuw Amsterdam, calling at Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan. The first of these cruises is scheduled to depart on 24 July, with 11 Saturday departures until 2 October.
Carnival Cruise Line will begin sailing weekly departures from Seattle onboard Carnival Miracle on 27 July, with seven-day cruises visiting Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan scheduled until 14 September. A final eight-day cruise will then depart on 14 September, with an additional stop in Icy Strait Point. Carnival Cruise Line is also working to finalise plans to operate Carnival Horizon from Miami, Florida, and Carnival Vista and Carnival Breeze from Galveston, Texas in July. Itineraries are expected to be announced next week.
"Our highest responsibility and top priority are always compliance, environmental protection, and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, the people in the communities we touch and serve, and our shipboard and shoreside personnel,” said Donald. “As we continue to work with the CDC on requirements for sailing in the US, we remain committed to returning to service in a way that serves the best interest of public health and provides our guests with a great cruise vacation at an exceptional value."
Two more of Carnival Corporation’s brands, AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises, are currently sailing in Europe with enhanced health and safety protocols. Eight out of the cruise company’s nine brands have announced plans to resume operations in Europe, the Caribbean and Alaska, with P&O Cruises Australia being the only exception.