Royal brands extend US cruise pause to end of June

All Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea Cruises’ ex-US sailings, due to depart up to and including 30 June, have been cancelled, the group confirmed on Thursday (8 April).

The move excludes all sailings onboard RCI and Celebrity ships due to homeport outside the US this summer, as well as Silversea’s Silver Moon, Silver Origin and Silver Explorer.

"Safety is the first priority, and we know cruising can be safe, as we have seen in Europe and Asia," said Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Group chair and chief executive.

"The rising number of Americans who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, layered on top of the rigorous health and safety measures we are implementing under the Healthy Sail Panel’s guidance, enables us to create a safe environment to take a cruise.

"We strongly believe President Biden’s stated goal for society to reopen in time for Independence Day [4 July] is a realistic goal."