First “real” cruise sets sail from Florida after 15 months

The Celebrity Edge is moored at Port Everglades, Saturday, June 26, 2021, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Celebrity Edge is the first cruise ship to leave a U.S. port since the coronavirus pandemic brought the industry to a 15-month standstill. The seven-night cruise will have 40 percent capacity and with virtually all passengers vaccinated against COVID-19. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)

The cruising industry from the U.S. has officially returned!
The first “real,” non-simulated cruise is currently at sea after setting sail from Fort Lauderdale.
This is the first cruise with potentially fully-vaccinated, paying passengers in over 15 months due to the coronavirus.

#HopeFloats. Today marks the rebirth of our company and our industry, as our beautiful Celebrity Edge sets sail on a new-luxury experience that will – once again – feed peoples’ love of travel. pic.twitter.com/2Pz2uddqOF

— Lisa Lutoff-Perlo (@LisaLutoffPerlo) June 26, 2021

The cruise ship “Celebrity Edge” left Florida just after 6pm Saturday night on a seven-night voyage with stops in Mexico and the Bahamas.
The ship is sailing at 40% capacity to allow for social distancing.
The entire crew is reportedly vaccinated for COVID-19, along with most of the passengers.

And with the sound of that horn, cruising from the U.S. has officially returned! 🎉 #CelebrityEdge pic.twitter.com/keD73LH40i

— Cruise Critic (@CruiseCritic) June 26, 2021

At the helm is Kate McCue, who CNN says is the first and only American female captain of a large cruise ship.

Featured Stories

By Beth Stibal | June 27, 2021