Holland America has announced itinerary updates for 2022, including return-to-cruise dates for Volendam and Zaandam, and the cancellation of its 2022 world cruise. 

“We have been diligently planning and preparing to move our ships back into service, and after an extremely successful restart in Alaska and Europe we are thrilled to have return-to-service dates for Volendam and Zaandam,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, in a company statement. 

Princess Cruises announced return-to-cruise dates for two more ships, Island Princess and Diamond Princess. Both ships will welcome back passengers in spring 2022, but as a result, Princess must cancel those ships’ previously announced 2021-2022 fall and winter itineraries.

Disney Cruise Line has joined Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line in requiring Covid-19 vaccinations for all guests ages 12 and up.

Today’s announcement is in response to last week’s policy change by The Bahamas. The country declared that in order for a cruise ship to dock at a Bahamian port, including private islands, all guests who are 12 and older must be fully vaccinated.

A few ships are returning to cruise or running test cruises this week, but the real headliners are a smattering of policy changes that could impact your booked sailing this year.

Get all the details about ship launches and simulated voyages with Cruise.blog’s master list of test cruises and 2021 debut sailings.

Two cruise lines announced they will change vaccination policies to meet the new rules announced by The Bahamas.

Last week, The Bahamas announced it will require all cruise lines visiting any port, including private islands, to ensure all guests above the age of 12 be fully vaccinated.

Since that announcement, Royal Caribbean and Carnival both announced new changes to their vaccine policies for guests.

A new warning has been issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday for anyone considered high risk for severe illness from Covid-19 avoid going on a cruise ship, even if they are fully vaccinated.

Higher risk individuals include older adults and people with medical conditions. In those situations, the CDC advises they should take professional advice before cruise ship travel.

The Bahamas passed a new restriction on cruise ships that requires all passengers over the age of 12 be fully vaccinated in order for the ship to visit any port, including private islands.

The new order goes into effect beginning September 3, 2021 through November 1, 2021.

The rule prohibits a ship from going to any Bahamian port unless:

The cruise industry's restart has so been slow and steady, and while there have been positive Covid-19 cases on ships sailing from the United States, the numbers have been limited and contained quickly.

Royal Caribbean International President and CEO Michael Bayley posted on Facebook an update about the low numbers of Covid cases among passengers, providing an honest take on how many cruisers are testing positive for Covid-19 on ships.

There are 13 ships sailing again, and the fleet is averaging around one or two passengers a week on ships with over 1,000 people.

If you want to sail on Norwegian Cruise Line this year, you will need to be fully vaccinated.

Norwegian Cruise Line extended its mandatory vaccination protocols required for all guests and crew for all sailings through Dec. 31, 2021.

Guests must be fully vaccinated, at least 2 weeks prior to departure, in order to board.