Carnival sets dates for restart, says guests must be vaccinated

Carnival Cruise Line confirmed its previously announced plans to return to service from Galveston, Texas, on July 3, and with fully vaccinated passengers.

Carnival president Christine Duffy said the CDC requirements for a cruise ship with an unvaccinated passenger base “will make it very difficult to deliver the experience our guests expect, especially given the large number of families with younger children who sail with us. As a result, our alternative is to operate our ships from the U.S. during the month of July with vaccinated guests.”

Duffy had suggested last month that because Carnival carries so many children, a vaccine mandate would be hard to implement. 

The line said that its plans for a July restart from Miami are still being worked out. “Carnival continues to work with both the state of Florida and the CDC for Carnival Horizon sailings and plans to provide an update by Friday concerning protocols specific to these sailings to all booked guests,” the company said.

Florida does not allow businesses to ask for proof of vaccination.

The Carnival Vista will launch from Galveston on July 3, followed by the Carnival Breeze on July 15. Cruises on both ships will be available for passengers who have proof of full vaccination.

Royal Caribbean International on Friday revealed that it will launch six ships this summer from ports in the U.S. and reversed its vaccination policy to be recommended but not required.  Norwegian Cruise Line on Monday confirmed its plans to return to service this summer and fall from several U.S. ports on sailings with fully vaccinated passengers and crew.  

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