Want the most choice of ships to book? Nearly 100% of ships will be sailing by July
Can’t remember if your favorite ship has returned to sailing after the prolonged shutdown of the cruise industry? The uncertainty is nearly at an end because, as of this summer, cruising will have completed its comeback.
All the major big-ship cruise lines – Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises and Royal Caribbean – have announced that nearly 100% of their fleets will be operational by the end of June. For summer vacations and beyond, cruisers will have the broadest selection of ships to sail since the pandemic began.
Some cruise lines will be fully back well before the quarter’s end. “With the opening of the Alaska season in May, Carnival will have returned its entire fleet to service, less than 10 months after resuming operations,” the company said in a recent press release.
Norwegian Cruise Line is on the same schedule. “All of our vessels are expected to sail by early May and in time for the peak summer season,” Frank Del Rio, the president and CEO of the cruise line’s parent company said in its Q4 2021 earnings call.
Royal Caribbean will have its entire fleet in service by the end of May, Holland America will be back in full force by mid-June and Celebrity Cruises’ last ship debuts in late June.
Princess Cruises had planned for all but one of its ships to return to service by the end of June. However, with the recent reopening of Australian ports to cruise ships, the line's Australia-based Coral Princess will set sail in June instead of September 2022.
The cruise industry ramped up slowly after it was shut down for more than 15 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In North America, the first ships didn't welcome passengers onboard until June 2021, and the lines gradually expanded their operations throughout 2021 as destinations opened up and the CDC granted them permission to sail from U.S. ports.
This year had a rough start that saw cruise lines pulling ships from service due to the omicron surge, but with new CDC guidance, mask mandates falling and more destinations opening back up to cruise ships, the major cruise lines are looking forward to welcoming more passengers on their full fleets from a large roster of U.S. and international-based ports.
Want the details? Here’s where the biggest cruise lines currently stand.
Carnival Cruise Line
Carnival recently had three ships return to sailing in early March; a fourth comes online in time for the Alaska season. The line recently announced that Carnival Sensation will leave the fleet without ever coming back from its pandemic hiatus. (Carnival Ecstasy will sail this spring and summer and depart the fleet in October.)
Restart dates include:
- Carnival Ecstasy: March 5 from Mobile, Alabama
- Carnival Spirit: March 7 from Jacksonville, Florida
- Carnival Paradise: March 12 from Tampa, Florida
- Carnival Splendor: May 2 from Seattle, Washington
Celebrity Cruises
As of March, 11 Celebrity Cruises ships are in service, including the line’s three Galapagos-based expedition ships. In addition to its remaining ships starting to sail this spring, the line will welcome its newest ship, Celebrity Beyond.
Restart dates include:
- Celebrity Eclipse: April 23 from Vancouver
- Celebrity Beyond: April 27 from Southampton, England
- Celebrity Solstice: May 6 from Seattle
- Celebrity Infinity: June 25 from Fort Lauderdale
Holland America
Holland America has six ships currently in service, with five more coming online this spring. Restart dates include:
- Noordam: April 24 from Fort Lauderdale
- Zaandam: May 12 from Fort Lauderdale
- Volendam: May 15 from Rotterdam, Netherlands
- Oosterdam: May 1 from Civitavecchia, Italy (the port for Rome)
- Westerdam: June 12 from Seattle
Norwegian Cruise Line
Twelve Norwegian Cruise Line ships are now sailing; the line's most recent debut was Norwegian Sky in early March. New ship Norwegian Prima will sail its maiden voyage in mid-August.
Restart dates include:
- Norwegian Sky: March 2 from Miami
- Norwegian Jewel: March 29 from Panama City, Panama
- Norwegian Star: April 3 from Barcelona
- Pride of America: April 9 from Honolulu
- Norwegian Sun: May 5 from Seattle
- Norwegian Spirit: May 7 from Papeete, Tahiti
- Norwegian Prima: September 3 from Amsterdam
Princess Cruises
Six Princess ships will welcome their first passengers in two years this spring, including Australia-based Coral Princess.
Restart dates include:
- Island Princess: April 27 from Fort Lauderdale
- Royal Princess: May 2 from Vancouver
- Crown Princess: May 7 from Seattle
- Diamond Princess: June 14 from Yokohama, Japan
- Sapphire Princess: June 25 from Los Angeles
- Coral Princess: June 2022 from Brisbane, Australia (exact sail dates and itineraries will be announced on Thursday)
Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean’s newest ship (and the biggest ship in the world) Wonder of the Seas debuted last week with a maiden sailing from Fort Lauderdale. It was followed by the re-launch of Vision of the Seas on March 7. Six more ships will welcome guests back in April and May, with Rhapsody of the Seas being the last ship to return to service for the cruise line.
Restart dates include:
- Vision of the Seas: March 7 from Fort Lauderdale
- Spectrum of the Seas: April 11 from Singapore
- Voyager of the Seas: April 15 from Barcelona
- Radiance of the Seas: April 23 from Los Angeles
- Serenade of the Seas: April 26 from Los Angeles
- Ovation of the Seas: May 5 from Vancouver
- Rhapsody of the Seas: May 23 from Civitavecchia, Italy (the port for Rome)
Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:
- The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
- The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
- A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
- 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
- 15 ways cruisers waste money
- 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
- What to pack for your first cruise
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.