All Aboard: When will
cruises resume at Port Canaveral?
Ever since the spring of 2020, Port Canaveral (and the rest of the world) has been waiting with baited breath for the answer to a very big question: when will cruises resume?
Well, good news, everyone – we’re back in business! For the past several months, major cruise lines have been putting new protocols into place to prepare for the grand restart of cruising. After nearly 500 days of suspended sailing, we’re all excited to get back to our favorite vacation spots!
On June 26, 2021, Royal Caribbean’s Celebrity Edge led the pack with the first ship to sail with regular passengers since the shutdown in 2020. The seven-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale was a success, and more cruise lines are following suit! While only a fraction of cruise ships back on the water, beloved cruise lines like Carnival, Disney, and Royal Caribbean are setting sail in late July and early August from U.S. ports.
But what does that mean for Port Canaveral, the world’s 2nd busiest cruise port?
SETTING SAIL IN PORT CANAVERAL: 2021
Port Canaveral is one of the last Florida ports to get back on board with cruising – but it’s well worth the wait. Let’s take a look at what’s in store for our favorite port.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival, one of the world’s most famous cruise line, has already begun cruises out of Galveston, Miami, and Seattle. They’re continuing their trend into Port Canaveral. The first ship to begin sailing from Port Canaveral is their new LNG cruise ship, the Mardi Gras, which will be heading into the Caribbean on July 31, 2021.
Family and friends are guaranteed to love Carnival Cruise Line’s big return – rumor has it that Mardi Gras is powered by LNG and fun!
The ship’s maiden voyage will give us an idea of cruising this summer (and how cool it is to have a rollercoaster on the ship!).
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean started cruising again on July 2, and Tuesday marked the start of a two-day simulated cruise on the Allure of the Seas. The simulated cruise is a big step towards their planned return to the seas in August.
If you’ve been missing the Independence, Mariner, Harmony, and Allure of the Seas, don’t worry. There are plenty of upcoming cruises to Coco Cay and the Bahamas planned starting in August. You can check them out here.
Norwegian Cruise Line
After the announcement of the cruise line’s new Prima class of ships (homeporting locally in 2022), we’re all excited for Norwegian to get back on the water. Miami-based company Norwegian (NCL) has flagged August for its return to Port Canaveral, with the plan that its ships will sail with a 100% vaccinated guestlist. Due to state restrictions on requiring vaccination proof, this may or may not lead NCL to further postpone their cruises.
However, provided that everything goes smoothly, their first U.S. cruise vacation will set sail from Miami on August 15. It is expected that Port Canaveral’s ships will not be far behind.
Disney Cruise Line
Despite postponing their initial plans for June test cruises, Disney Cruise Line plans to resume their beloved Caribbean family cruises in August. Kids, teenagers, parents, and adults are all stoked for Disney’s high-seas magic to be back!
The first Disney cruise ship to sail from a U.S. port is expected to be the Dream, which will leave from Port Canaveral on August 9th. These 3 and 4-night cruises will mark the return of families to Castaway Cay, the cruise line’s own private island.
MSC Cruises (The New Guy in Town)
It was only a matter of time before the world’s fastest growing cruise line joined our ranks. In 2020, MSC Cruises announced that the MSC Seaside and MSC Divina would begin offering cruises from Port Canaveral. Now, in 2021, that dream is finally coming true.
The MSC website lists multiple upcoming cruises from Port Canaveral – the first of which appears to be sailing on September 16, 2021. Even more Caribbean cruises are planned through September, October, and November!
CRUISING AFTER COVID
During and after 2020’s COVID-19 outbreak, things changed on land – and now, to bring back safe cruising in 2021, we’re bringing those protocols to the sea.
From check-in to on-board procedures to mask policies, cruise lines around the world are going above and beyond to keep passengers safe. Every major cruise line has implemented enhanced cleaning, new medical services, and totally-redone air filtration as well. And to promote social distancing, we’re not loading up cruises to full capacity either.
While the new policies and procedures for our favorite vacation option may seem a little overwhelming, it’s worth it. Unforgettable fun and world-class adventures on the high seas are no longer just a dream for families in 2021. Just make sure that you know your cruise line’s new health and safety measures before you set sail this summer.
Catch up on your favorite cruise line’s new procedures before your next trip:
CRUISING soon?
If you’re asking yourself when will cruises resume this summer, then you’re also probably pulling up your parking options, too. And one thing certainly hasn’t changed since the last time you went on a cruise: on-site parking is still a pain.
But just like before, there are still some amazing alternatives to make sure the start of your cruise goes smoothly. If you’re planning your big return to Caribbean cruising, then it’s time to scope out the best parking in town.
At Port Canaveral Parking, you can get on-site service at off-site prices. We offer free shuttles, great staff, and even better rates with all the security in the world for your vehicle. And even better – we’re one of the only places with off-site covered Port Canaveral cruise parking!
If you’re cruising soon, don’t wait to reserve your spot. Cruising is back and better than ever – and so is Port Canaveral Parking!
