Celebrity Edge to be first back cruising from US on June 26

Celebrity Cruises today was given the green light by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to be the first ship back in service. It will sail seven-night cruises from Port Everglades.

Capt. Kate McCue at the helm

Capt. Kate McCue, the first US woman to command a major cruise ship, will be at the helm.

Cruising is back

'Cruising from the US is back!' Royal Caribbean Group Chairman and CEO Richard Fain proclaimed.

Added Celebrity Cruises President and CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo: 'For the past 15 months our conversations with friends and loved ones about seeing the world have been accompanied by the phrase "someday." I’m beyond proud and excited to say that day has arrived.'

Fain credited collaboration with the CDC, elected officials at the local, state and national levels and industry partners at Cruise Lines International Association.

'We’ve consulted with the brightest minds in the health industry to ensure that our passengers and crew feel safe and comfortable on our ships while enjoying the uncompromised experience they know and love,' he said.

COVID-19 vaccination mandate

Celebrity Edge will sail with vaccinated crew, and passengers over the age of 16 must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination. As of Aug. 1, that drops to everyone 12 and older. 

And Florida's vaccination passport ban?

How Celebrity will manage that when Florida bans businesses from requiring proof of vaccination remains to be seen. 

A spokesperson told Seatrade Cruise News: 'We're working on it.'