6 more cruise lines hope to restart sailings in coming weeks -- but there's a catch
Several more cruise lines in Europe plan to resume departures in the next few weeks. But if you're a cruise fan living in North America, you shouldn't get too excited. The trips aren't really meant for you.
In the wake of last week's successful resumption of river cruising in Germany by German line Nicko Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club, Ponant and at least four other river and ocean cruise operators are planning to resume sailings in and around Europe as soon as next week.
Like Nicko Cruises, which isn't well known to Americans, many of the lines are German companies that only cater to German-speaking travelers. But a few are cruise companies that offer trips in English and traditionally draw Americans.
Visit TPG's guide to all coronavirus news and updates
What they all have in common is that they operate small vessels that either will sail on rivers within Europe or in waters close to the European coast.
For now, the big cruise lines that operate big-ship cruises around Europe such as Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line are not starting back up in Europe or anywhere else — and they might not return to operations for many months.
The lines planning a restart in Europe include:
A-Rosa
The German cruise line, which operates trips in German, plans to resume river cruises on Portugal's Douro River on June 17, and on Central Europe's Rhine and Danube rivers on June 19 and 20, respectively. It plans to restart river cruises in France in early July.
SeaDream Yacht Club
The small-ship specialist's two 112-passenger luxury yachts have moved to Norway to offer 21 sailings along the country's coast starting on June 20.
Phoenix Reisen
This is another German cruise seller that operates trips in German. It plans a comeback starting on June 26 with river cruising on German rivers only.
Related: The most bizarre cruise ship story of the year finally has an ending
Plantours
Also a German line catering to Germans, Plantours plans to resume river cruises on the Elbe and Rhine rivers in Germany on June 24 and 25, respectively.
Ponant
The small-ship and expedition cruise specialist, which is based in France but draws an international clientele, plans a series of French coast cruises starting on July 5.
Hurtigruten
Also planning a restart to operations in the coming days is Hurtigruten, the Norwegian cruise and ferry company. On June 16, Hurtigruten will resume its famed ferry service along the Norwegian coast, which often draws traditional cruisers as well as locals traveling between towns. Initially, the company only will operate four vessels on the route, far fewer than normal. The Hurtigruten ferry route stretches from Bergen in the southern part of Norway to Kirkenes at the very north of the country, with stops at nearly three dozen towns.
While several of these lines -- most notably Ponant and SeaDream -- traditionally draw a significant number of Americans, these initial trips in Europe are mostly aimed at a local crowd that, in many cases, can reach the vessels by car. In that sense, they are catering to what is expected to be increased demand this summer for close-to-home trips instead of trips to far-off destinations.
While the sailings aren't officially off-limits to Americans, it's essentially impossible for Americans to reach the vessels for departures -- at least in the short term.
For now, American leisure travelers aren't really welcome in Europe. With a few exceptions, European countries either have closed their borders outright to American travelers or are requiring Americans to undergo lengthy quarantines upon arrival.
Related: The best way to get to Europe using points and miles
The resumption of cruise operations by the lines comes as a number of European countries prepare to open their borders to visitors from other European countries on June 15.
The restart at Hurtigruten, for instance, comes as Norway and Denmark prepare to allow citizens to visit each other's countries starting on June 15 as part of a new "travel bubble" agreement. Initial Hurtigruten sailings along the coast are expected to just draw passengers from the two countries.
Also opening its borders to all European Union nationals on June 15 will be Germany and Belgium, and France is likely to do so, too. Switzerland will open its borders with Germany, Austria and France. The Netherlands will allow residents from Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Estonia, Italy, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Portugal, Slovenia and the Czech Republic to visit.
Taken together, the openings on June 15 will make it much easier for river lines to operate voyages for Europeans on rivers such as the Rhine.
Related: A country-by-country guide to when Europe is reopening
The reopening planned by France will be particularly significant to Ponant, which specifically has said its new French coastal trips aren't just for local French travelers. The line is moving five of its vessels to the French coast, all of which will operate on a bilingual basis with both French and English spoken on board. Still, the sailings are likely to draw mostly local travelers initially, including many who arrive by car. The line is arranging parking space at departure ports.
The new Ponant trips along the French coast are unusual for the line, which normally deploys its vessels on far-flung itineraries around the world. The line plans five itineraries that are hyper-local. One will focus on the small towns around the Bordeaux area, for instance. Another will explore the Ponant Islands off northwestern France that inspired the line's name.
Related: This is the best time to visit France
The resumption of small-ship and river cruising in Europe comes as several small-ship and river cruise operators in the U.S. gear up for a restart, too. Most notably, small-ship specialist American Cruise Lines plans to resume river sailings in the Pacific Northwest on June 20 -- just eight days from now. It's also eyeing a resumption of cruises on the Mississippi River and in Alaska.
The American Cruise Lines trips will take place on American Song, a small vessel designed for river and coastal cruising that has just 90 cabins.
Small vessels such as American Song aren't covered under a 100-day "no-sail" order for cruise ships issued in April by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The order only applies to cruise vessels that carry more than 250 passengers and crew.
There is a growing consensus in the cruise industry that river ships and small vessels that sail coastal routings will be able to resume semiregular operations this year far earlier than bigger ships that offer long-distance ocean trips.
For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter.
In part, this is because small vessels offer a sort of small-group travel that's easier to manage in an era of social distancing than the mass tourism of big ships. The typical river ship in Europe, for instance, has fewer than 100 cabins. It essentially operates as a small boutique hotel -- albeit one that happens to move from town to town. Touring always is in small groups or on an individual basis. Onboard spaces rarely are crowded.
River cruise ships and small coastal vessels also often sail within the borders of a single country. That's less complex from a logistical point of view than operating the sort of multi-country itineraries typical of big-ship lines. Small ships operating single country itineraries don't have to worry about another country turning them away at a whim.
The lines restarting operations promise new medical screening measures for passengers, enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of ships and other measures designed to reduce the chance of the spread of illness.
Additional resources for cruisers during the coronavirus outbreak:
- Why you shouldn't expect bargain-basement cruise deals anytime soon
- How to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus
- Expecting a refund for a canceled cruise? Here's how long it will take
- Good news for cruisers worried about strict new boarding rules
- Some of the year's hottest new ships could be delayed
- Stream these 13 movies, television shows to get your cruise ship fix
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees