There is still no fixed date for Royal Caribbean to start launching the test cruises required to obtain U.S. approval. To restart regular activities in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is clear, however, that the cruise giant is not going to have any trouble attracting volunteers to sail.
Royal Caribbean has received thousands of emails from prospective passengers in recent days, in addition to supportive social media messages.
Jonathon Fishman, a spokesperson for the cruise company, told CNN Travel, "Royal Caribbean has some of the most loyal guests in the cruise industry and we have been overjoyed with their interest to take part in our simulated trial sailings," "This week alone, we have received more than 5,000 emails, not including the tweets, comments and messages across social media."
Fishman pointed out that when it comes to the mock cruises, there are "no dates to announce yet" as Royal Caribbean still has "a lot of details to work out to make sure everyone's experience onboard is as safe and as enjoyable as we can make it."
Last week, Vicki Freed, Royal Caribbean International's senior vice president of sales and trade support & service, suggested that the test cruises could begin as soon as December, but stopped short of issuing a confirmation.
As CEO Frank Del Rio announced this week, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands are targeting January for the start of their CDC-required test cruises.
At least in the beginning, the forthcoming test voyages, which will be crucial to the recovery of the industry, could prove very challenging. After all, after a passenger tested positive for COVID-19, SeaDream Yacht Club's SeaDream I was obliged to abandon its very first Caribbean cruise this week.
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