For the first time in fifteen months, a cruise ship carrying passengers has set sail from an American port. The Freedom of the Seas of Royal Caribbean Cruises departed from the port of Miami on Sunday for a cruise of several days. The ship is testing whether vaccinations and corona measures will make it safe to sail again.
Normally, the Freedom of the Seas can accommodate about 4500 passengers, but now it carries about 650 people. These are all Royal Caribbean employees who have volunteered for the trip and are allowed to bring a guest. Everyone on board must be vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Also read: Cruise companies venture to offer European holidays again
The corona pandemic hit the cruise industry hard and ships had to anchor in ports all over the world. The companies suffered billions in losses. The United States is the world’s largest market for cruise trips.
Picture by Royal Caribbean.
Source: ANP