Cruise Load Factors Vary For First Ships to Depart the U.S.

For the past two weeks, we’ve been witnessing the return of cruising from U.S. ports, some even departing ports in Florida despite a ridiculous law forbidding cruise lines from verifying a passengers vaccination record.

Cruise Line’s have added increased testing, regulations and fees for those passengers who are not vaccinated or don’t show their proof (voluntarily) prior to departure. So how full were the first few departures?

According to data provided by Cruise Industry News, the Carnival Vista sailed on Saturday, July 3,  from Galveston the ship was said to have 2,940 guests aboard and is operating at about 70 percent occupancy. Similar numbers were said to be the case for the Sunday, July 4, sailing of the Carnival Horizon from Port Miami.

Royal Caribbean International’s Freedom of the Seas sailed on Friday, July 2, from Miami, with just over 1,000 guests aboard, for an estimated 30 percent occupancy rate.

And the Celebrity Edge’s first cruise, and the first U.S. sailing for a large modern cruise ship, operated at just over 40 percent occupancy from Port Everglades, sailing on June 26.

All major cruiselines have said that bookings are strong headed into 2022.