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Royal Caribbean to start test cruises
Royal Caribbean has got the green light to begin test cruises next month.
The line was the first to be approved by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to move forward to the test cruise phase.
It is one of the most important final steps before approval to restart revenue sailings.
"After 15 months of hard work and collaboration, approval of our simulated cruises is the latest promising step in our path to return to sailing in the U.S." Royal Caribbean International said in a statement.
"We look forward to welcoming our crew, loyal guests and supporters from around the world this summer."
It will start with Freedom of the Seas sailing out of PortMiami with volunteer cruisers.
The simulated cruises are to test whether ships can sail safely and follow all the guidelines set out by the CDC.
Ships must make at least one test run before resuming regular services from US ports.
The test cruise phase is waived for cruise ships if lines can prove that 98% of all crew and 95% of all passengers have been fully vaccinated.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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