NCLH expects to start test sailings in January 2021
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio said test sailings could begin in January for its cruise brands.
‘Simulated cruises’ are part of the comprehensive CDC conditional sailing order, with test sailings a requirement before resuming commercial operations.
Del Rio cited January as a possible timeline but doesn’t expect to be the first cruise operator to do so.
"We want to get this 100% right. We’re stressing flawless execution. There’s still a lot to learn about the nuances of how to execute those orders," Del Rio said.
Others may start trials in December, but that is unlikely for NCLH brands.
"We don’t forecast that we will be wanting to do so until probably sometime in January. And then there’s another series of sequences that the CDC has called for in terms of giving notice and getting the ship certified on a ship-by-ship basis."
Trial sailings will be assessed independently by a third party firm and overseen by CDC inspectors.
Del Rio also said 2021 will be a ‘transformational year’ for the business.
"I believe we will be able to have our entire fleet up and running in the latter half of 2021."
Written by Ray Montgomery, US Editor
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive