Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas Receives CDC Approval

Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas received its conditional sailing certificate on June 29, officially allowing the ship to restart revenue cruises from Miami on July 2.

Royal Caribbean President Michael Bayley posted the news on Facebook.

“This is exciting progress, and we look forward to welcoming our guests onboard,” he wrote. “Freedom is the cruise line’s first ship to resume sailing from the U.S.”

The certificate from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) follows the test cruise successfully operated by Freedom of the Seas earlier this month.

Freedom’s first revenue sailing will operate July 2-5, visiting Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in The Bahamas.

The ship will sail with all crew and the majority of guests fully vaccinated. Unvaccinated guests (mainly children) will be subject to additional testing requirements and specific health protocols. Unvaccinated people are barred from entering certain public areas, including Vitality Spa, Casino Royale, RED Party and multiple bars and eating establishments.