MIAMI — Norwegian Cruise Line confirmed Tuesday that it intends to launch its full fleet in April 2022 for the first time since no-sail orders were mandated in March 2020 after COVID-19 cases ravaged vessels and ground the cruise industry to a halt.
CEO Frank Del Rio told CNBC’s “Closing Bell” that 75% of the company’s vessels are slated to return to regular operations by the close of 2021, and all 28 ships in the cruise line’s fleet will resume service by April 1.
“If anything, the world is opening up. More people are getting vaccinated,” Del Rio said, adding, “Pent-up demand continues to be very, very strong for the sailings we’ve operated thus far.”
Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Frank Del Rio tells @CNBCClosingBell he's getting a lot of questions around whether he will mandate guests/crew to get a booster shot. "Answer is not yet...when the time is right...if the pandemic continues to be a threat, we'll have to consider that."
— Seema Mody (@seemacnbc) October 5, 2021
To date, the company has restored eight ships across three brands to service, and all on board must provide proof of full COVID-19 vaccination before setting sail, meaning children too young to be vaccinated are barred from sailing, the network reported.
>> Related: Norwegian Cruise Line plans to sail in July, vaccinations required for guests, crew
“Are we missing some customers? Possibly. But today, we believe that our mandate is a competitive advantage,” Del Rio told “Closing Bell.”
>> Related: Coronavirus: CDC extends ‘no-sail’ order on cruises from US ports until October
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