Have you heard about the test cruises required by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that require volunteers to go onboard?

The idea of signing up for a complimentary (free) test cruise and be able to get back to sea first, as well as help test out new protocols for the cruise lines, is very appealing to many cruise fans.

It’s been more than a year, but Caribbean cruises are a back! They’re looking a little different in summer 2021, with departures from island homeports rather than U.S. ones., but you can still get all the sun and sand you’ve been missing.

Six ships across three cruise lines are sailing summer Caribbean cruises (including one to Bermuda, which we realize is in the Atlantic) in 2021. Which ship and itinerary fit your vacation personality and needs?

Here are our recommendations for which summer Caribbean cruise you should book this year.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO did not mince words about his feelings towards the CDC's latest cruise guidelines.

During its first quarter 2021 earnings call, NCLH CEO Frank Del Rio called the CDC's test cruise instructions released yesterday as "preposterous, impractical and onerous".

The CDC's new rules call for extensive mask use onboard, social distancing, and vaccine requirements.

Cruise lines have gotten a new update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with what they need to do on test cruises so they can get back into service.

The CDC released Phase 2B instructions that include all the steps required for a cruise line to conduct a simulated voyage, which include requirements such as mask wearing, vaccines for volunteers, social distancing, and more.

Carnival announced its ships will get a look to their hulls that match the new look.

The Carnival Mardi Gras is the newest cruise ship in Carnival's fleet, and it has a hull design that will be copied across to other ships.

The cruise line confirmed the Mardi Gras' hull design will become a trademark feature across the fleet.

Another cruise line has announced plans for a restart outside of the United States.

Holland America Line announced that it will restart cruises from Piraeus (Athens) in August with four departures aboard Eurodam.

The new sailings go on sale beginning May 6, 2021.

Last Wednesday, the CDC sent a letter to cruise lines, updating guidance on restarting cruises from the U.S. as early as this summer.

But what do all the policy updates mean for cruisers anxious to return to the high seas?

Here are the top four takeaways we gleaned from the CDC’s message.

Perhaps the best hint that cruises could actually restart from the U.S. came in a new update from the CDC.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) sent a letter to the cruise lines late on Wednesday night providing additional insight and guidance for how cruise ships could restart sailings.

The letter was sent by Aimee Treffiletti, who is the CDC's head of the Maritime Unit for CDC's COVID-19 response within its Global Mitigation Task Force for COVID-19.

Disney Cruise Line has pulled back the curtain on its next new cruise ship.

Disney unveiled the new amenities, activities, and things to do on the Disney Wish, which will set sail in summer 2022.

The next new cruise ship for Disney will feature the first-ever Disney attraction at sea, a dining experience themed to "Frozen", a Marvel cinematic dining adventure, and a Star Wars experience onboard.