Three Carnival Cruise ships for April 6

(CMR) Carnival Cruise line has welcomed the reopening of the Cayman Islands' cruise industry, with several ships expected to make calls to Grand Cayman over the next few weeks.

The cruise line will have three ships in port simultaneously on 6 April: Carnival Vista, Carnival Paradise, and Carnival Sunrise.

“We are delighted to return to Grand Cayman and to offer guests an opportunity to experience all of this port’s beauty once again,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “On behalf of Carnival, I would like to personally thank all our partners in Grand Cayman for working with us to make this opportunity possible.”

Ministry of Tourism Kenneth Bryan said the reopening of the cruise industry would bring welcomed relief to many Caymanians who depend on this industry for their livelihoods.

Mr. Bryan said, “Every cruise call that brings passengers to our shores is helping to support Caymanian employees and business owners that have been hard hit by the COVID-19.”

Carnival Paradise is currently sailing a 5-days, round-trip Western Caribbean cruise from Tampa, Florida, with a call to the Cayman Islands and Cozumel. Carnival Sunrise is sailing a 5-day Western Caribbean cruise from Miami, Florida.

Other ships that will be calling in the Cayman islands for Carnival Cruise Line are Carnival Pride on April 8 and 12 and Carnival Horizon on 13 April.

Celebrity Cruises will bring four of its ships to the Cayman Islands in the next month. Celebrity Edge on April 1 & 13, Celebrity Equinox on 17 April, Celebrity Apex on 24 March & 7 April, and Celebrity Reflection on 30 March. Ships from Disney Cruise Line, Holland America, MSC, and Princess cruises are also scheduled.

As part of the current regulations, all crew members must be fully vaccinated, and no positive guest, crew member, or close contact will be permitted to go ashore. Local authorities will also assess any cases detected onboard ships and the measures taken.

Meantime, Carnival could put the minds of several concerned people at ease as the cruise line could require a booster COVID-19 shot for future voyages. This is now the case with at least one voyage. The Carnival Journeys sailing on 17 April is accessible only for guests who are fully up-to-date with all of their vaccinations, including any booster shots if eligible.