NCL announces foreign restart of cruising

By Michael McGrady, Maritime Direct Americas & Pacific Correspondent

MIAMI — Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. is one of the first major cruise line companies to announce a comprehensive plan to restore overall operations. Their strategic plan begins with the launch of cruises originating outside the United States this summer.

“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,” said Frank Del Rio, the president and chief executive of NCL Holdings. “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 and our Company’s SailSAFE Global Health and Wellness Council.”

Del Rio’s announcement highlighted that its three brands are moving toward a resumption of service.

Three of the company’s largest cruise liners will be the first to resume sailing. Other brands NCL owns include Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, which will resume service at a later date.

The Maritime Executive reports that it expects an invasive, phased-in approach to reintroducing other vessels across its brands while accounting for “the public health environment, global travel restrictions, port availability, and other considerations.”

“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,” Del Rio said.

“Vaccine requirements will be combined with multiple additional layers of protection against COVID-19 introduction, including universal testing, and we will continue to evaluate and modify protocols over time as the science dictates.”

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings also announced the reopening strategy for the United States market some days ago.