PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. — For simulated voyages, the CDC is asking cruise ship companies to have passengers show proof of vaccination. If passengers are not vaccinated, they will need to show documentation that they do not have any medical conditions that would put them at high risk for COVID-19.

What You Need To Know

There is going to be lots of activity again at Port Canaveral as crews start in just a couple of weeks:

  • The Disney Dream is sailing a simulated two-night voyage from Port Canaveral on June 29, with volunteer passengers who are Disney cast members.

  • Royal Caribbean is doing a test sail from Miami on June 20, and from Port Canaveral on Aug. 8. The company is recommending vaccines for all passengers, but is not requiring them.

  • Carnival's Mardi Gras ship docked at Port Canaveral last week, and expects to be back in service by July.

  • Norwegian Cruise Line is set to sail from Miami to the Caribbean starting Aug. 15, and from Port Canaveral on Nov. 13.

Time will tell how these test cruises go. The CDC is also asking cruise lines to keep records of COVID-19 cases as well as previous cases in crew members.

Meanwhile, the cruise industry is slowly making its way back to Florida. With updated CDC guidance, cruise companies are figuring out how to get their crews safely back on the water as more vaccines go into arms across the country.

Last month, the CDC issued new guidance for cruise companies to start trial voyages before applying for a COVID-19 conditional sailing certificate.

Now, companies are on the move after being docked since last March because of the pandemic.

Norwegian Cruise Line is set to sail from Miami to the Caribbean starting Aug. 15.

The company is also offering cruises aboard the Norwegian Escape to the Caribbean for trips starting Nov. 13 from Port Canaveral.

Norwegian said it is following the SailSAFE protocol, which includes having a fully vaccinated crew and guests for voyages through Oct. 31.

These plans are all contingent on getting authorization from the CDC to sail again.

On Friday, June 4, Carnival's newest ship Mardi Gras sailed into Port Canaveral to an excited crowd of cruise enthusiasts.

The CDC approved Carnival's port agreement to sail from Port Canaveral.

The company expects to be back in service in July.

Royal Caribbean has also announced Allure of the Seas will be leaving from Port Canaveral on Aug. 8.