When the pandemic halted most people’s travel plans, the summer of 2021 was expected to be a major recovery, as the vaccinated population was about to get out of there and make up for lost time.
This kind has happened, but the changing booms and plane cancellations due to infection rates have done much to dampen people’s enthusiasm for travel last year. However, that didn’t stop major cruise lines from getting back to work.
Carnival Cruise Lines (CCL) – Get the Carnival Foundation reportRoyal Caribbean (RCL) – Get Royal Caribbean Group ReportAnd Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCLH) – Get the Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. report. They are all closed from March 2020 through July 2021. They are slowly rebuilding their operations, adding capacity, and returning to newly reopened destinations.
Now, all three have made wearing masks optional on board, and regardless of vaccine and pre-flight testing requirements, operations are largely back to normal. This does not mean that demand has fully recovered, it has certainly improved and all three major cruise lines have taken steps to attract customers again.
But hey, maybe this is the year you finally go on that dream vacation! And if your dream vacation includes, say, penguins, watching the Alaskan tundra or perhaps visiting all 50 states, Carnival Cruise Lines has good news for you.
What cruises to Alaska do the carnival offer?
Carnival is making a comeback in Alaska after a year that had only a limited sailing season in Alaska. Alaska is a popular tourist destination by many commuters and would-be commuters, and Carnival plans to align itself with that in 2022.
On May 2, the Splendor Carnival will sail from Seattle to Alaska, its first flight since it closed two years ago. It will offer 17 cruises featuring a seven-day itinerary and one eight-day cruise.
In addition, the Carnival Miracle will offer Alaska cruises from San Francisco, starting April 28, and will offer 11 10-day cruises. Prices vary depending on the length of the sail and the type of room you book.
Carnival Spirit will also visit Alaska from Seattle, starting May 3. It will offer a total of 11 sailing options, with six, seven and eight day itineraries available.
Go to follow
Itineraries will vary depending on the cruise, with visits to Juneau, Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway, Icy Strait Point and Tracy Arm Fjord among the options.
Image source: Carnival Cruise Lines.
What safety precautions does the carnival take?
Last month, the CDC rescinded the pandemic-related cruise travel health notices for cruise passengers and also rescinded all risk warnings. But the cruise industry isn’t taking any chances, so before you get ready for whale watching, make sure you’re surrounded by all the shots.
While some industries are more stringent than others when it comes to masking and vaccination, the cruise line industry operates with some of the highest safety standards around. Cruise lines are spread all over the world and every country has different standards, so working with excessive caution makes sense.
Carnival Cruise requires all passengers to have both of their vaccinations, at least 14 days before the cruise departs, as well as proof of vaccination.
Royal Caribbean released news recently that it has ordered a booster dose for ships sailing from Southampton, England. Carnival Cruise Lines haven’t quite reached that level yet, but they’ll definitely appreciate it if they get a boost.
On its website, Carnival Cruise states that “In addition, the CDC has strongly recommended that individuals obtain a COVID-19 booster vaccine, when they are eligible. If the CDC’s definition of full vaccination evolves. To require a booster dose, our policy will adjust accordingly.
“Thus, we strongly encourage all eligible guests to receive a booster vaccine. It is always possible for some destinations to identify a fully vaccinated guest as the person currently present with a booster dose, and boosters may be required for specific flights based on duration.”
Guests currently vaccinated will also need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test 72 hours after the cruise departure date.
