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Updated: When Major Cruise Lines Plan to Resume Sailings from the United States

In March 2020, the entire cruise industry made history when it announced it would voluntarily suspend sailing in the United States for 30 days . To further ensure cruises were halted, there was also a “No Sail Order” put in place by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

Of course, the original suspensions of only a month proved to be far too optimistic. In total, cruise lines were suspended for nearly 500 days before any of them returned to sailing at all from the United States. Now, they are in the midst of a measured and deliberate return.

The CDC, which had extended a “No Sail Order” multiple times, allowed that order to expire at the end of October 2020. Now, it has given cruise lines a “ Framework for Conditional Sailing .” This order lays out a pathway for cruises to get back to sailing, but not without meeting stringent requirements.

The good news for cruising is that as of June 26, 2021, the first ship — Celebrity Edge — returned to sailing from the U.S. More cruise lines and ships are returning slowly but surely.

We’ve laid out all the dates that major cruise lines have trips scheduled to return (or have already returned) to sailing from the United States. As you’ll see below, the 2021 summer looks promising for a return to cruising for cruise lines, although anything can happen given the virus.

Note: Dates mentioned are scheduled return dates for cruises from the U.S. In some cases cruise lines might start sailing in other regions earlier than the dates listed below.

CDC Framework and Its Impact on the Resumption of Cruises

With the new "Framework for Conditional Sailing," cruise lines now have a much clearer path to getting back to sailing, though certainly not easy.

While the framework lays out a path, there are no actual dates specified within the process. There are, however, certain steps that the CDC says cruise lines must follow. 

The framework itself is a series of measures that cruise lines must take, falling into four categories:

• Testing and protection of crew onboard cruise ships in U.S. waters
• Simulated voyages with volunteer passengers to test new policies
• Certification process through the CDC to be fit for sailing
• Return of paid-passenger cruises in line with CDC protocols

Within each of these categories are multiple measures cruise lines must take in order to complete the framework. Once completed, then the cruise lines can apply for a "Conditional Sailing Certificate" to return to sailing.

For a full explanation of all the steps and their requirements, see our article here .

Recently, the CDC eased some rules for cruise lines if they sail fully vaccinated trips where 98% of crew and 95% of passengers have the shot. For instance, if a cruise ship sails a fully vaccinated trip, they can skip the simulated voyages, drastically cutting down the time needed to meet the CDC requirements.

So far cruise lines have followed two different paths. Some are opting to sail with less than 95% vaccinated passengers. In this case, they are sailing simulated voyages and also having masking and distancing rules on the ship.

Cruise lines sailing above the 95% threshold -- such as Carnival -- can forego the test cruises. As well, life on the ship is different as masking and distancing aren't required except in certain instances.

Cruises Return, But Still Months Until All Ships Are Back

The process of cruises returning is like nothing the industry has seen before. There is no precedent. That makes it more difficult to understand exactly how it will play out.

The process has been slow so far with the CDC, but it is starting to ramp up more quickly. Already, several major lines including Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival have officially returned to sailing, with many more scheduled in the weeks and months ahead.

But the full return of ships will take many more months to play out -- even if all goes well. Carnival has said that it plans to have 15 ships sailing (slightly more than half its fleet) by the end of October. 

All of this, of course, is dependent that a rise in virus cases doesn't impact the return and vaccines continue to work against the virus. 

Keep in mind that this situation is truly unprecedented. There is simply no way to know exactly when cruises return until the ship leaves the dock with passengers. 

Below are the latest return dates for U.S. sailings, based on currently scheduled cruises.

Carnival Cruise Lines: Resumed Sailing July 3

Carnival -- arguably the world's most famous cruise line -- wasn't the first cruise line to return to sailing from the United States. However, it was among the earliest to return.

Its first cruise from the U.S. departed Galveston on July 3, 2021 aboard Carnival Vista. It was followed the next day by Carnival Horizon, sailing from Miami. Now the cruise line plans to have 15 ships sailing by the end of October, with the vast majority of passengers sailing vaccinated.

• Carnival Vista from Galveston sailing July 3
• Carnival Horizon from Miami sailing July 4
• Carnival Breeze from Galveston sailing July 15
• Carnival Miracle from Seattle sailing July 27 through September 14
• Mardi Gras from Port Canaveral sailing July 31
• Carnival Magic from Port Canaveral sailing August 7
• Carnival Sunrise from Miami sailing August 14
• Carnival Panorama from Long Beach sailing August 21
• Carnival Glory from New Orleans sailing September 5
• Carnival Pride from Baltimore sailing September 12
• Carnival Dream from Galveston sailing September 19
• Carnival Miracle from Long Beach sailing September 27
• Carnival Conquest from Miami sailing October 8
• Carnival Freedom from Miami sailing October 9
• Carnival Elation from Port Canaveral sailing October 11
• Carnival Sensation from Mobile sailing October 21

Royal Caribbean: Resumed Sailing July 2

Royal Caribbean made its original pause announcements in two different segments. First, the company announced it suspended U.S. sailings starting March 14. Then, starting on March 15, Royal Caribbean suspended its cruises around the world.

Originally the company planned to return to operations in mid-April 2020. After multiple extensions, the first U.S. sailing departed Miami aboard Freedom of the Seas on July 2, 2021.

Other ships currently or planning to sail from the U.S. include:

• Serenade of the Seas from Seattle
• Ovation of the Seas from Seattle
• Independence of the Seas from Galveston
• Odyssey of the Seas from Fort Lauderdale
• Symphony of the Seas from Miami
• Allure of the Seas from Port Canaveral
• Mariner of the Seas from Port Canaveral 

So far, Royal Caribbean has planned its return with simulated cruises, giving more leeway regarding unvaccinated passengers. While adults (and kids over 12) on most cruises (except those departing Florida) require the shot, kids ineligible for the vaccine are also allowed to sail.

Celebrity Cruises: Resumed Sailing June 26

Celebrity Cruises made history as being the first line to make a return to the United States. When Celebrity Edge departed Fort Lauderdale on June 26, it marked the first major ship to sail from the U.S. in roughly 470 days.

Other ships scheduled to sail from America in 2021 include Celebrity Equinox, Millennium, Summit, Reflection, and Apex.

In addition, ships have already returned to other parts of the world.

Norwegian Cruise Line: Resume Sailing August 7

As of March 2020, Norwegian made the call to suspend voyages across their fleet worldwide. The plan was for the ships to resume sailing in April 2020, but the suspension was lengthened multiple times. It's now been extended through July 2021 for the U.S., with cruises returning in August. 

According to the NCL, the first cruise scheduled from the United States is a trip from Seattle to Alaska on August 7.

Notably, there is some question if that cruise will sail from Florida, where trips are scheduled starting August 15. Norwegian has been firm that it wants to sail with 100% of passengers vaccinated. However, Florida law says businesses can't require proof of vaccination from customers.

This has led to tension between the state and the cruise line. Recently, the cruise line's parent company filed suit to be able to sail fully vaccinated from the state . It's not clear what will come of the suit or NCL's restart plans given the desire to sail fully vaccinated from Florida.

Disney Cruise Line: Resume Sailing August 9

Disney suspended sailing along with the other major cruise lines. Originally it said that the suspension would last through the end of March 2020. Then it extended that date for all four of its ships to April 12, with trips resuming on April 13, 2020.

Now, according to a notice on its website Disney will resume sailing in August from Florida, with some U.K. cruises for the Disney Magic as well.

The first Disney cruise ship scheduled to return from the U.S. is the Dream on August 9, 2021, from Port Canaveral. It will sail on 3 and 4-night trips to Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. 

MSC Cruises: Resume Sailing August 2

MSC is a global cruise line and has ships sailing worldwide, but it is making inroads into the United States with some of its newest and largest vessels.

In the United States, trips are scheduled to begin again August 2, 2021 according to CruiseIndustryNews.com . The first trip will be aboard MSC Meraviglia, which will offer short 3 and 4-night cruises to The Bahamas, including its private island, Ocean Cay. 

Notably, MSC has some practice in sailing in the new environment. They've had a number of sailings in Europe under new regulations and seem to be successful in keeping passengers healthy.

Princess Cruises: Resume Sailing July 25

Princess has been the cruise line perhaps most impacted by the crisis. At least two of its ships had virus outbreaks in the early days of the crisis, leading to headlines around the world.

It also made the news by being the first major cruise line to announce a voluntary suspension of cruising , which was quickly followed by other lines. Princess originally announced it would stop all cruises from March 12 through May 10, 2020. Of course, that's now been extended multiple times.

Princess paused operations through most of July, but now plans to sail from Alaska, departing Seattle starting July 25 aboard Majestic Princess -- 500 days after stopping sailing in 2020. 

Holland America: Resume Sailing July 24

Holland America suspended departures around the world through July 2021, after pausing back in March 2020. But at the end of July the cruise line will make its return, with a cruise sailing from Seattle.

The cruise line will start sailing to Alaska from Seattle, beginning on July 24 aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam. From there the line will return to sailing around the world, including Greece, Italy, Spain, and more U.S. departures later in the year.

What Will Cruising Look Like When It Does Resume?

It's clear that when cruises do come back, in some cases it's going to look very different than it did going into the crisis. While a number of requirements have been announced, it's unclear how long they will be in place. Like everything else during the crisis, expect the situation to be fluid as the world re-opens. It's also clear that sailings with fully vaccinated passengers will look different than non-vaccinated sailings, at least at first.

Onboard Of course, just like venues on land, there will be new procedures in place on the ship. This will run the gamut from more frequent sanitation to reducing touch points on ships.

Don't be surprised when are fewer deck chairs by the pool and they are spaced farther apart. And crew members will wear masks while on duty. Also expect cruise lines to ask passengers to wear masks when distancing isn't an option (such as elevators) if on an unvaccinated cruise.

Note that these rules are relaxed if 95% of passengers on the ship are vaccinated. In that case, masks and distancing are optional for the cruise lines. As well, there will be areas reserved only for vaccinated passengers if sailing on a ship that's under the 95% threshold.

Check-In At check-in, it's likely that the procedures put in place during the outbreak will stick around for months or years to come.

That means you can expect things like temperature checks before boarding. As well, there will be health questionnaires with a heavy emphasis on symptoms of COVID-19.

Check-in is going to move more online to reduce the interaction and crowds in the terminal. Also, expect staggered boarding to spread out the number of passengers entering the terminal at any one time.

One other item that's going to be in place according to the CDC framework is mandatory COVID tests for passengers before they board if unvaccinated (this doesn't apply to vaccinated cruise passengers). Another test is required by the CDC for unvaccinated passengers at debarkation on cruises longer than four days.

Vaccines Will a shot be required to sail from the United States? That will be up to the specific cruise line. Some lines like Norwegian Cruise Line have already said they will require all passengers have the shot. Carnival is opting for sailings with 95% of passengers having the shot, but granting a small amount of exemptions.

Royal Caribbean requires the shot on many cruises for those eligible, but kids can still sail without (but will need testing and different rules).

Then there is Florida. The state doesn't allow businesses to require proof of the shot. Instead, lines are encouraging passengers to be vaccinated and implementing charges for testing and travel insurance if not.

The best idea is to go ahead and get vaccinated if you want to cruise. This way you can sail on any line and not see potential extra charges or restricted access on the ship.

Slow Resumption of Sailings As cruises do resume, it's not that there will be no cruises and the next day you'll see a full schedule of sailings.

“I think initially we will come out operating smaller than we did than before we went into this," said Carnival CEO Arnold Donald . "That’s because there won’t be some light switch. Every destination won’t open simultaneously."

What's happening is exactly that. As cruises resume, they are doing so slowly. Only some ships resume service while others are prepared for ready as cruise lines show that they can handle sailing in the new COVID-19 world.

No matter when the cruise lines resume sailing, or the changes made, it's clear that getting back to normal is going to take some time unless everyone has the shot.

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Read next: park & cruise hotels for every port in america, popular: 107 best cruise tips, secrets, tricks, and freebies, related articles more from author, royal caribbean drops more vaccine rules and will accept self tests, carnival drops vaccine requirement to sail (and testing for vaccinated passengers), royal caribbean drops vaccine rules… but only for these ports, carnival drops testing requirement on cruises under 6 days, cruise without the vaccine: lines you can sail without the shot, first cruise line in the u.s. drops testing requirement to sail.

Will you have to be tested if you can prove that you’ve been vaccinated for Covid or have had anti Body test.

No one knows for certain just yet, but it seems likely the answer will be yes. Even with a vaccine there is still a chance you can get the virus.

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Standard Policy for Guest Cancellations, Refunds & Final Payment

Learn about our standard cancellation policy and refund schedule.

In the case that you need to cancel your cruise vacation, you may be charged a fee based on the standard Princess Cruises cancellation policy. The amount will depend on the length of your itinerary and how far in advance of your departure date that you cancel. Use the charts below to determine your refund.

If you’ve already purchased  Princess Vacation Protection † , your refunds for covered cancellation reasons will continue to be governed by Princess Vacation Protection. Please review the plan coverage, conditions and exclusions for full details. We highly recommend that guests purchase Princess Vacation Protection – not only does it provide some peace of mind for unexpected cancellations, it also offers partial reimbursements for trip delays or interruptions, lost or damaged baggage and medical coverage.

†Princess Vacation Protection is available to residents of the U.S. and Canada (except New York, British Columbia, Quebec and Puerto Rico). Guests in other regions may have alternative coverage options and can refer to our  FAQs  for additional information.

Refund Schedules & Final Payment Due Date

For booked guests, please review your booking confirmation email which contains the cancellation schedule and final payment terms that apply to you. For full details and booking conditions, please also refer to the  passage contract .

Since a cancellation by you likely means a diminished opportunity to sell space on other cruises/cruisetours, the cancellation fees in the schedules below apply regardless of whether Your space is resold. You hereby agree that losses sustained by us in the event of Your cancellation would be very difficult or impossible to quantify, and that the fees set forth in our cancellation policy represent a fair and reasonable assessment as liquidated damages. The amount of cancellation fee varies based on length of sailing for cruise/cruisetour and timing of cancellation for cruise/cruisetour and Cruise Plus package, as illustrated in the schedules below. (Please note that "Government Taxes and Fees” and "Cruise Charges” are defined in your Passage Contract.)

CANCELLATION POLICY EXCEPTION(S):

A. If You have purchased a specially priced promotion where the deposit is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, You are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit whatsoever of Your deposit under any circumstance if you cancel Your booking.B. If you have purchased a specially priced promotion that is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, You are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit whatsoever of Your Cruise Charges for Your Cruise or Cruisetour  if You cancel Your booking.

Shore Excursion Cancellation Policy: For complete details on the terms and conditions governing Shore Excursions, please review Carrier’s  Excursion Terms & Conditions .

Cruise Cancellations & Refunds FAQs

How do I cancel? For bookings made directly with Princess Cruises, please visit the  Customer Support and Information page . For all other bookings, please contact your travel advisor.

How much will I be refunded? If you cancel, your refund amount will depend on the length of your itinerary and how far in advance of your departure date that you cancel. Please view the charts above to determine your refund eligibility.

What is the time window for cancelling? While you can cancel your cruise at any time, your refund amount will depend on the length of your itinerary and how far in advance of your departure date that you cancel. Please view the charts above to determine your refund eligibility.

When will I receive my refund if I cancel? We want you to know that we hear you and understand your frustration with the time it is taking to receive your refund. We are now refunding millions of dollars per week and are actively working through our back log. Our reservation and payment systems were not designed to handle this volume of refunds in a short period of time, and it is taking longer than we wanted. As we respect our guest’s money and time, we have increased the number of team members supporting this enormous effort and have made modifications to our systems. Thank you for your patience in these extraordinary circumstances. The latest updates regarding refunds can be viewed on our  Notices & Advisories page .

Am I eligible for cruise credit if I cancel? The standard Princess cancellation policy does not grant cruise credit, but residents of the U.S. and Canada (excluding New York, British Columbia ,  Puerto Rico and Quebec) may be eligible with Princess Vacation Protection.

How do I purchase cruise vacation protection if I may need to cancel? We highly recommend that you purchase vacation protection to offer some peace of mind and help you make the most of your trip.   Princess Vacation Protection  is available only to residents of the U.S. and Canada (not including New York, Puerto Rico and Quebec). It can be purchased at the time of booking or up until the final payment by visiting  Manage Booking . You can also call your travel advisor or visit the  Customer Support and Information page . You are considered enrolled as soon as the cost plan has been paid. Please review the terms, conditions and exclusions of the plan by visiting our  Princess Vacation Protection page  and clicking on your state-specific plan documentation. Unsure if cruise insurance is worth it?  Read about the benefits of Princess Vacation Protection . Guests in other regions may have alternative coverage options and they should refer to our  FAQs  for additional information.

What will be refunded if I cancel? If you’ve pre-paid for shore excursions or onboard purchases, you will receive a full refund. The Princess Cruises refund policy states that you will also receive money back on Government Taxes and Fees (as defined in your Passage Contract) transfers and surcharges. You may also receive a refund for part of your cruise fare depending on the length of your itinerary and how far in advance of your departure date that you cancel. Read our  Passage Contract  to learn more about refunds.

Exceptions If you have purchased a specially priced promotion where the deposit is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, you are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit whatsoever of your deposit under any circumstance if you cancel your booking.  If You have purchased a specially priced promotion that is 100% non-refundable from the point of payment, you are not entitled to any refund, payment, compensation or credit whatsoever of Cruise Charges for your cruise or cruisetour if You cancel Your booking. To learn more about Princess cancellation policy exceptions, please read the  Passage Contract .

What if Princess cancels my cruise and I do not accept an alternate cruise or if Princess delays my cruise for more than 3 calendar days and I choose not to travel on a delayed cruise? Details are contained in our  Nonperformance of Cruise: Refund Policy and Instructions .

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To reserve your cabin and lock in the final price, you will be required to place a deposit on your cruise. After you have placed a deposit to secure your reservation, you will be asked to pay the remaining balance of your fare at the final payment due date.

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Note: Select promotions require full payment at the time of booking.  

Cancellation and Refunds

Penalties may apply if you cancel or change your reservation. Penalties can be up to 100% of your total trip cost. We recommend purchasing insurance to protect against covered unexpected events. Please check with your Vacations To Go cruise counselor for cancellation and refund policies for Princess  cruises. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

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What is Celebrity's cruise or Cruisetour cancellation and refund policy?

In the event of a cancellation of a Cruise or CruiseTour, any applicable Taxes/Fees or Fuel Supplement charges shall be refunded. For bookings made outside of the United States and Canada, a different cancellation policy may apply. Contact your local office or travel agency for details.

Cancellation notices are effective when received by the Operator.

For Passengers who have booked a CruiseTour and desire to cancel their tour portion while retaining the Cruise, refunds of the CruiseTour Fare (including any applicable supplement charges) shall be made in accordance with the following cancellation policy. Guests who convert their CruiseTours to a cruise only booking within forty-two (42) days of the start date of the tour segment of the CruiseTour will be subject to a cancellation charge. The amount of that charge varies depending on the location of the CruiseTour and/or its length. For the specific amount of the charge, visit  Our FAQ section .

The cancellation charge policies set forth above vary for single occupancy or for the third, fourth or higher occupants in a stateroom or for groups. Consult your travel agency or call Celebrity for further details.

Cancellation by the Passenger after the Cruise or CruiseTour has begun, early disembarkation of the Passenger for any reason, including pursuant to any provision of this Ticket Contract, or “no-shows” shall be without refund, compensation, or liability on the part of the Carrier whatsoever.

If Carrier received payment via credit card, the refund will be made to that credit card. If Carrier received payment from your travel agent, the refund will be provided back to that travel agent.

Carrier reserves the right to offer promotional cruise fares or other offers that may modify the cancellation policies set forth above.

For cancellations of air flights, hotel stays, transfer services, shore excursions, pre-purchased amenities, CruiseCare, pre-booked services (such as spa, photography or wedding services) and pre-booked arrangements such as specialty dining, see the applicable terms and conditions for any applicable cancellation charges.

Cancellation of Cruise For Australian and New Zealand Residents

The following cancellation charges will then apply to your cruise. Standard Cruises & Cruisetours (Cruise Portion Only).

Days Prior to Cruise Departure and cancellation Charges:

• 151 or more days : deposit is refundable except in the case of non- refundable deposit promotions and airfares
• 150-71 days:  loss of deposit 
• 70-46 days:  25% of fare*
• 45-31 days:  50% of fare*
• 30-15 days:  75% of fare*
• 14 days or less:  100% of fare

Cancellation of Cruise for UK & Ireland Residents

For cancellations received, the following cancellations charges will apply:

· 5 days or less before departure 100%

· 6 to 14 days before departure 90%

· 15 - 28 days before departure 75%

· 29 - 69 days before departure 50%

· 70 days or more before departure deposit only (including any increased deposit amount for any ’advanced purchase’ flight tickets.

Please be advised that if your booking was made prior to 01/07/2021, the final payment is due 57 days prior to the start of your cruise.

Please be advised that the minimum cancellation charge will always be the loss of deposit including any increased deposit amount if you have purchased advance purchase air fares. Please note that any amendment or transfer fees will also be charged when a booking is cancelled.

Is cruise/vacation cancellation protection available?

Cruise cancellation protection is available through Celebrity’s CruiseCare® plan, which is designed and intended for US residents, excluding residents from New York.

FOR NEW YORK RESIDENTS ONLY: New York state residents who are interested in travel protection may contact Aon Affinity by visiting https://travelcruisecare.com or calling Aon 1-800 797-4516.

FOR ALL OTHER US RESIDENTS: Any questions regarding the terms and conditions of the insurance benefits of CruiseCare® plan, including cancellation coverage, should be directed to Aon Affinity by calling 1-800 797-4516.

Canadian residents may visit https://www.celebritycruises.com/ca/cruise-insurance for more information on travel protection.

How can I request a refund?

If we cancel a voyage, or delay embarkation by three (3) days or more and you elect not to sail on the delayed voyage or a substitute voyage we offer, you can obtain a refund or a future cruise credit (FCC).  Although our practice is to issue a future cruise credit automatically, you may instead submit your request for a refund by contacting us .   Refund requests must be made within six (6) months of the date the cruise was cancelled or the scheduled embarkation date, whichever is earlier.  

Please note this policy does not apply to guests booked on chartered sailings.  If you were booked on a chartered sailing that was canceled or embarkation was delayed by three (3) or more days, and you wish to inquire about refunds or future credits, you must contact the third party reseller that sold you the cruise.

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Cruising Is Returning This Year—Here’s What to Know

More than a year after COVID-19 virtually stopped most cruises , the industry has been in flux. with many large cruise ships anchored in international waters awaiting finalized clearance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control to resume sailing from U.S. ports, or making alternate plans to sail from international destinations instead. But last week, the CDC released further clarification to the Conditional Sailing Order that's been in effect since October 2020 , allowing cruising to resume on a firmer timeline. Once the agency reviews cruise line plans for adherence, large ship cruises could resume from U.S. ports as early as July.

In a letter the CDC sent to U.S. cruise executives, the agency stipulated that if cruise lines can demonstrate at least 95 percent of customers and 98 percent of crew are vaccinated, they can skip plans for the time-consuming “simulated” test voyages that were in place as the next step to proving to the CDC that conditions were safe for sailing again, the Washington Post reported in April.

It’s important to note that cruise departures never entirely ceased during the pandemic—ships carrying fewer than 250 passengers have been allowed to operate, for example, and several lines resumed operations internationally beginning last summer, with few reported cases onboard. As the industry makes moves to resume on a wider scale, operations will be different from before. From new safety protocols to larger impacts on itineraries, here's what to expect as we prepare to welcome back cruising in 2021.

We’re reporting on how COVID-19 impacts travel on a daily basis. Find our latest coronavirus coverage here , or visit our complete guide to COVID-19 and travel .

New and varied itineraries

One benefit cruise lines have over other types of trips is their ability to physically move and be nimble if plans need to change. While cruise lines work with different countries and ports to address local needs and safety issues, it's meant a wave of new itineraries and destinations on the horizon.

Ships that might have been prevented from operating at U.S. homeports, for example, could be moved to embark U.S.-originating passengers at foreign ports. Prior to the CDC’s updated guidelines, some cruise lines—including Viking and Royal Caribbean—had taken advantage of their ships’ registries in Bermuda or The Bahamas and redeployed those vessels to sailings within those countries for much of the upcoming summer season, free of U.S. restrictions.

Norwegian and Celebrity are taking a similar approach with Mediterranean sailings this summer, sticking close to Greece, Turkey, and Croatia—all of which have easier entry requirements for international visitors. Other countries that have reopened to (vaccinated and/or COVID-tested) international visitors that also allow cruising include Iceland, Mexico, and French Polynesia.

Meanwhile, small ships that have still been able to operate have opened up a new era of interest in sailing U.S. waters. American Cruise Lines, Victory Cruise Lines, and American Queen Steamboat Company, for example, have rolled out more sailings on the Mississippi River, and added itineraries sailing the Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest, and East Coast for travelers who want to explore waterways closer to home.

Vaccinations and testing are essential

A key part of the CDC’s updated guidelines allows cruise lines to forego the onerous simulated voyages and lengthy notification periods that had been part of the original order—on the condition that they meet the requirements that virtually all passengers and crew on each sailing are fully vaccinated (many cruise lines have already created their own vaccination requirements ). The guidelines also allow vaccinated passengers to present results from faster, cheaper antigen tests prior to boarding instead of the more involved PCR test, although individual cruise lines may elect to impose more stringent requirements.

There may also be fewer children onboard sailings this summer, as vaccines are not yet approved for children under 16. Some cruise lines will allow unvaccinated children to sail with a negative PCR test, while others will not allow any unvaccinated passengers regardless of age. It's important to read and reach out to the cruise line directly when booking a sailing, to be sure you're meeting all of their protocols in order to sail.

In addition to following specific cruise line requirements, it’s also vital that guests review the vaccination and testing requirements for entering the country from which they're departing if they’re traveling to a cruise that sails outside the U.S.

The economic impact and sailings

Like many other travel sectors, the cruise industry is poised for a strong comeback based on pent-up demand and untapped travel budgets carried over from 2020—prior to the pandemic, it was set to be a record year for guests taking cruises. But in that time, there's no ignoring how much of an effect the halt in operations had on port communities and the economy at large—an ongoing issue that will continue to impact when and how we cruise.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) estimates that in 2019 the cruise industry contributed $9 billion in direct spend in Florida alone, generating just under 160,000 jobs—both at multiple cruise lines headquartered in the state, and in support industries. But many of those jobs were either furloughed or eliminated due to the halt in operations, meaning the industry could be facing a staffing shortage in certain locations where it sails.

Alaska has made it clear that the loss in cruise sailings effectively wiped out last year's tourism season , and both Florida and Alaska—respectively the largest and fifth largest benefactors of cruise industry dollars—filed suit against the CDC for a more expedient return. The legal case might now be moot, but the economic anxieties remain, particularly for Alaska, which is seeking a waiver to federal laws requiring foreign-flagged cruise ships (i.e., most of them) to call at a foreign port on every itinerary—a requirement that would prevent most large ship operations to Alaska until Canadian ports reopen to cruise ships in early 2022. 

With the CDC go-ahead, cruise passengers will soon be able to embark on large ship departures, however modified, to once again enjoy vacations at sea. But these factors will continue to impact where we can travel and when, especially as the summer travel season begins.

When will cruises resume? A line-by-line guide

The Great Cruise Shutdown is finally coming to an end.

Celebrity Cruises this month became the first major cruise line to operate a sailing in the Caribbean since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and several other major lines — including Royal Caribbean — are in the midst of starting back up in the Caribbean, too.

A growing number of cruise ships also are restarting operations in Europe and other destinations around the world , and small vessels have resumed operations on U.S. rivers and intracoastal waterways.

Still, only a very small fraction of the world's cruise vessels are currently back to sailing. It could be many months before a majority of cruise vessels are operating, and some lines already have said it could be well into 2022 before they return to normal service .

Meanwhile, the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown a wrench into the launch plans for startup lines Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection and Virgin Voyages. Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has now pushed back its inaugural voyage to Nov. 10. Virgin Voyages has pushed back its big debut in Miami to the fall (although it plans to sail in the U.K. starting in August). Both lines were originally due to debut in 2020.

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Here's a look at when major river, ocean and expedition cruise brands that market to North Americans say they'll resume operations:

Adventure Canada has canceled sailings on Ocean Endeavour until 2022.

AmaWaterways plans to restart cruises in Europe on July 3 with sailings on the Douro River in Portugal. Sailings on other European rivers, including the Danube, Rhine and Rhone, will resume toward the end of July, with various ships returning on a staggered basis.

American Cruise Lines resumed cruises along the intracoastal waterways of Georgia and South Carolina on March 13 with one vessel, the 100-passenger Independence, and it has since added sailings on the Mississippi River and several other U.S. waterways. Nearly all of the line's 13 vessels are now back in operation.

American Queen Steamboat Company resumed cruises on the Mississippi River on March 15 with a sailing of its 166-passenger American Duchess, and it added a second ship to service (American Countess) on the river on March 21. A third vessel, the Pacific Northwest-based riverboat American Empress, just restarted operations last week. The company does not have a restart date for its fourth vessel, American Queen.

Atlas Ocean Voyages , a new start-up line specializing in "luxe adventure," will operate its first cruise on Aug. 4 in Europe.

Aurora Expeditions is hoping its 132-passenger Greg Mortimer will be able to resume sailings in October.

Avalon Waterways plans to restart cruises for Americans on the Seine River in France on July 20. Sailings on the Rhine, Rhone and Danube rivers will resume in August.

Azamara plans to resume sailings on Aug. 28 with a single ship, Azamara Quest, sailing Greece-intensive voyages out of Piraeus, Greece (the port for Athens). All other sailings have been canceled until September.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line plans to resume operations on July 2.

Birka Cruises has shut down .

Blount Small Ship Adventures has shut down .

Carnival Cruise Line plans to restart cruises out of Galveston, Texas , in July with two ships, Carnival Vista (starting on July 3) and Carnival Breeze (starting on July 15). The line also has announced plans to restart cruises to Alaska out of Seattle on July 27 using the Carnival Miracle and hopes to restart cruises out of Miami with the Carnival Horizon in July, too. Four more Carnival vessels, including the new Mardi Gras, will start sailings between July 31 and the end of August.

Celebrity Cruises restarted operations on June 5 with a single ship, Celebrity Millennium, sailing out of the Dutch side of the island of St. Martin (known as St. Maarten), and a second Celebrity ship (Celebrity Apex) began sailing out of Piraeus, Greece, on June 19. Two more Celebrity ships (Celebrity Edge and Celebrity Equinox) will restart sailings out of Fort Lauderdale on June 26 and July 25, respectively. The line also has announced voyages out of Southampton, England, starting on July 3 (limited to residents of the U.K. only); voyages in the Galápagos starting on July 4; and voyages to Alaska out of Seattle starting on July 23.

Celestyal Cruises , a specialist in Greek Island cruises, restarted cruises in the region on May 29.

Costa Cruises resumed operations in the Mediterranean on May 1 with a single vessel, Costa Smeralda, and has since added a second vessel (Costa Luminosa) to Mediterranean sailings. More vessels are scheduled to resume service on a staggered basis in the coming months.

CroisiEurope resumed river cruises on June 7 with sailings on the Douro River in Portugal. The line will resume additional river cruises in France's Bordeaux Region on the Gironde River and France's Seine River on June 30. Sailings on the Rhine, Danube and several other European rivers will resume in July, with Spain and Italy trips restarting in August. The line's French canal cruises resume on July 2, and its ocean cruises along the Croatian coast and around Corsica restart in June and July, respectively.

Cruise & Maritime Voyages has shut down .

Crystal Cruises plans to resume cruises on July 3 with one of its two bigger ocean ships, Crystal Serenity, sailing all-Bahamas trips out of Nassau in the Bahamas. The line's other large ocean vessel, Crystal Symphony, will resume sailings on Aug. 5 with sailings out of St. John's, Antigua. Crystal plans to operate some river cruises starting Aug. 29 and sailings on its new expedition ship, Crystal Endeavor, starting in July.

Cunard Line will resume voyages out of the U.K. for U.K. residents only on July 19 with one ship, Queen Elizabeth. The line's Queen Mary 2 will resume sailings on Nov. 14, with its first restart voyage being a transatlantic crossing between the U.K. and New York City. Cunard's third vessel, Queen Victoria, is now not scheduled to restart sailings until April 22, 2022. The line has canceled the world voyages plans for Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria for 2022.

Disney Cruise Line will operate a short series of cruises around the U.K. (open to U.K. residents only) with one ship, Disney Magic, starting on July 15. But the line has canceled all other voyages through at least early August. Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are now scheduled to resume sailings on Aug. 9 and Sept. 4, respectively. Disney Wonder is scheduled to return to service on Sept. 24. All previously announced sailings on Disney Magic have been canceled through Nov. 8.

Emerald Cruises plans to resume voyages in Europe on July 31 with sailings on the Douro River in Portugal.

FTI Cruises has shut down .

Hurtigruten in July 2020 resumed sailings to the Arctic with two ships after resuming limited cruises from Hamburg, Germany, to Norway with one ship in June. But the line soon stopped the sailings following a significant COVID-19 outbreak on one of the vessels. The line currently plans a new restart in July with sailings out of the U.K. for local U.K.-residents only.

Holland America plans to restart cruises to Alaska out of Seattle with one ship, Nieuw Amsterdam, on July 24. It also plans to resume sailings in the Mediterranean on Aug. 15 with a single ship, Eurodam. Two more vessels -- Zuiderdam and Koningsdam -- will begin sailings from San Diego to Mexico, the California coast, Hawaii and the Panama Canal on Sept. 18 and Oct. 10, respectively. In addition, the line plans to resume Caribbean sailings on Oct. 23 with voyages out of Fort Lauderdale on Nieuw Amsterdam (which will reposition from Alaska). Three more ships -- Rotterdam, Eurodam and Nieuw Statendam -- will begin operating Caribbean voyages out of Fort Lauderdale in November. Holland America cruises in Asia, Australia and New Zealand, and South America have been canceled through the end of 2021.

Jalesh Cruises has shut down .

Lindblad Expeditions restarted sailings in the Galápagos and Alaska in early June. The line's new polar exploration ship, National Geographic Endurance, will begin sailing in Iceland on July 21.

MSC Cruises has restarted sailings out of Italy with two ships and sailings out of the U.K. (for U.K. passengers only) with one ship. It plans to restart Mediterranean and Northern Europe sailings with seven more vessels by Aug. 1 and will resume sailings from Miami in August.

Norwegian Cruise Line plans to restart operations on July 25 with a single ship (Norwegian Jade) sailing Greek island voyages out of Piraeus, Greece. It then plans to restart cruises to Alaska with one ship (Norwegian Encore) and cruises to the Caribbean with one ship (Norwegian Gem) in August. The line has announced restart plans for a large number of its remaining ships for various dates in September through February 2022.

Oceania Cruises plans to restart operations in the Mediterranean on Aug. 29 with just one of its six ships, the 1,250-passenger Marina. Three more Oceania vessels will restart operations between Oct. 18 and Jan. 22, 2022 .

Paul Gauguin Cruises initially resumed sailings in French Polynesia on July 11 but has since suspended the trips in the wake of travel restrictions for French overseas territories. The line now has canceled all sailings through Aug. 21.

Ponant resumed operations on June 16 and is operating departures to Iceland, the Mediterranean and France through the summer.

Pullmantur , citing the impact of the cruising shutdown, filed for reorganization under Spanish insolvency laws over the summer of 2020 and is no longer operating.

Princess Cruises plans to resume sailings to Alaska on July 25 with one ship (Majestic Princess), and it'll add sailings from the U.K. with one ship (Regal Princess) on July 31. The latter will be open to U.K. residents only. Princess then plans to add more ships back to service in the fall. The line has said it will have eight vessels operating out of three U.S. ports -- Los Angeles, San Francisco and Fort Lauderdale -- starting between Sept. 25 and Nov. 28.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises plans to restart operations in Europe on Sept. 11 with just one of its five ships, the 750-passenger Seven Seas Splendor. The line's four other vessels will restart operations between Oct. 16 and Feb. 15, 2022 .

Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection , a new startup line affiliated with luxury hotel company Ritz-Carlton, has delayed its inaugural voyage until Nov. 10. The line was originally scheduled to debut in February 2020.

Riviera River Cruises will resume cruises in Europe on Portugal's Douro River on July 2.

Royal Caribbean restarted limited sailings out of Singapore for Singapore residents only on Dec. 1 and added cruises out of Nassau in the Bahamas on June 12. More than half a dozen more Royal Caribbean vessels will restart operations out of the U.S. ports and in Europe in July and August.

Sail Windjammer has shut down .

Scenic Luxury Cruises & Tours plans to resume Europe river cruises on July 30 with sailings on the Douro River in Portugal. Ocean cruises have been canceled through the end of 2021.

Seabourn plans to restart operations in July with one ship (Seabourn Ovation) sailing to the Greek islands out of Piraeus, Greece, and one ship (Seabourn Odyssey) sailing to the Caribbean out of Barbados. Its three other vessels -- Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Encore -- won't resume departures until Nov. 7, 2021, and Jan. 11 and April 17, 2022, respectively.

Sea Cloud Cruises has canceled sailings through Aug. 6.

SeaDream Yacht Club will resume sailings in the Mediterranean on June 26 with one of its two vessels, SeaDream II. Its other vessel, SeaDream 1, will restart sailings on July 7 in Norway.

Silversea restarted operations in June with one ship (Silver Moon) sailing to the Eastern Mediterranean out of Piraeus, Greece, and one ship (Silver Origin) sailing in the Galápagos. It has canceled sailings on some of its other vessels as far out as November.

Star Clippers has canceled all sailings through at least early August. Royal Clipper is now scheduled to resume service on Aug. 3, with Star Flyer following on Aug. 7. Star Clipper sailings have been put on hold until Nov. 13.

Tauck plans to resume some Iceland and Greece-focused ocean cruise itineraries in June and July. European river cruises will resume in August with sailings in France and Portugal. The company hopes to resume sailings on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers in the early fall.

UnCruise Adventures , a specialist in adventure-focused Alaska cruises with small vessels, restarted trips in the state on May 8.

Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection resumed cruise tours in Italy on June 18. Cruise tours in Portugal and France will restart on June 27 and July 4, respectively. Trips on the Danube and Rhine in Central Europe will restart on July 18 and July 25, respectively.

Variety Cruises resumed limited sailings on July 24, 2020.

Victory Cruise Lines has not announced a restart date for its sailings.

Viking in May started U.K.-only sailings for local residents out of Portsmouth, England. It also recently restarted a handful of "welcome back voyages" out of Bermuda and plans to add cruises around Iceland and in the Mediterranean in July. Other than that, the line has canceled all previously announced sailings through the end of July.

Virgin Voyages has postponed the Miami debut of its first ship , Scarlet Lady, until at least September. But it plans a few sailings of the ship out of the U.K. for U.K. residents only starting in August. The arrival of the line's second vessel, Valiant Lady, has been pushed back by six months to Nov. 14.

Windstar Cruises restarted sailings in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean in June with a single ship (Star Breeze and Wind Star) in each destination. A third Windstar vessel, Wind Spirit, is due back in service on July 15. Wind Surf, Star Legend and Star Pride will return to cruising on Aug. 8, Sept. 4 and Nov. 3, respectively.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

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Federal Maritime Commission

FMC Rule Change Will Provide More Rights to Refunds for Cancelled or Delayed Cruises

The Federal Maritime Commission is amending its  regulations governing non-performance by Passenger Vessel Operators  (PVO/cruise lines) and establishing new requirements for when cruise passengers should be provided refunds for cancelled or delayed voyages.

“Hundreds of thousands of Americans enjoy taking a pleasure cruise every year.  For some, these are trips of a lifetime where people have worked hard to save the cost of a ticket.  Amending the Commission’s regulations to provide passengers more rights and options when a cruise line has not performed is good for consumers.  I am grateful for the trust my fellow Commissioners placed in me to lead Fact Finding 30 and for their support in expanding consumer protections,” said Commissioner Louis E. Sola.

The changes define non-performance as cancelling a voyage or delaying a voyage by three or more calendar days if a passenger elects not to embark on delayed or substituted voyage offered by a PVO.  The Commission also changed its regulations to allow passengers of delayed or cancelled voyages to make direct claims against financial responsibility instruments, such as bonds, maintained by PVOs, after the passenger’s unsuccessful attempt to receive a refund directly from the PVOs.  Finally, the rule allows all fees, including ancillary fees, paid by a passenger to a PVO be eligible for a refund.

“I applaud the hard work of Commissioner Sola on Fact Finding 30 and his identifying these needed changes to Commission regulations.  Consumers deserve more alternatives than the often-limiting recourses specified in a ticket contract. Updating the Commission’s regulations was the proper thing to do, and these rule changes deliver more rights and remedies to the public, I support them wholeheartedly,” said Chairman Daniel B. Maffei.

The changes become effective 30 days after their publication in the Federal Register and will apply to cruises booked on and after that date.

The rule change stems from recommendations Commissioner Sola made to the Commission in April 2020 he identified as part of work as a Fact Finding Officer for Fact Finding 30 Investigation, “COVID-19 Impact on Cruise Industry.”

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A Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Disney Cruise Line’s Online Check-In Process

A lot has changed in the 12 years since I last put together a guide for checking-in for a cruise and felt it was a good time to revisit the subject. In 2021, the online check-in process was revamped , and after some adjustments here and there, the process seems to be holding course. In this article, I am going to share an overview of the process and include a video where I take you step-by-step completing the Disney Cruise Line’s online check-in process.

Once you’ve paid in full for your upcoming cruise, you may begin checking in online on 30-days before your departure date. During the check-in process you will need to provide citizenship documents, have the opportunity to register kids for youth clubs, and select a port arrival time.

Start by visiting the My Reservations area on Disney Cruise Line’s website at https://disneycruise.disney.go.com/my-disney-cruise/my-reservations/

If you are redirected to login, you may need to navigate back. If you are not returned to My Reservations, look at the top of the page the main menu, hover over Already Booked and select My Reservations.

On the My Cruise Reservations page scroll down and look for the Online Check-in heading under the Cruise Details tab and click the Check In link.

The Online Check-In page loads with an overview section showing your current check-in progress. There are 6 sections to complete:

Guest Information

Onboard Account

Traveling with Children

Travel Plans

Port Arrival Time

Cruise Contract

Follow the prompts and work through each section.

Below the status area, you will find optional forms: an EPI Form to authorize DCL Crew Members to administer epinephrine injector medication should the need arise, and an Authorization form for Minors to travel without a parent or legal guardian.

Here is a video tutorial of the complete Disney Cruise Line Online Check-In process and a summary of each section following the video below.

To start the online check-in process, click the Begin Check-In button at the top of the page next to Goofy. 

You are not required to complete all the steps in one sitting, but the all-important Port Arrival Time is locked out until prior steps are completed.

This is the pivotal section where you provide Disney with your contact details, travel documents, and photos for your travel party.

The section starts with your home address, email, and phone number. You can add a secondary phone and even pick your preferred language. Additionally, you will be asked to provide an emergency contact that is NOT traveling with you which can be quickly applied to all or select members of your traveling party.

I highly recommend you have pictures/scans of your travel documents and security photos for each member of your party at the ready and utilize the upload option. Before I start, I have the most updated documents ready in a folder.

This makes the process flow much quicker, especially if you plan to stay up until midnight (eastern) to complete the process and other members of your sailing party are fast asleep unable to take a selfie in real time.

Disney Cruise Line has a handy FAQ page on the required citizenship documentation based on the type of cruise by destination. It is important to read over this to ensure you and your travel party have everything in place well before online check-in begins. I personally recommend sailing with a Passport for every member of your traveling party. Having a passport prepares you to travel to any destination should the need arise and more importantly, in the unlikely event that you experience an emergency during your cruise that requires you to fly home from a foreign port, your passport allows you to board the flight without delay. We cruised closed loop cruises from Port Canaveral for years with just Birth Certificates, until one 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Disney Fantasy where we witnessed 4 separate passengers medi-vacd during the sailing. Passports are valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children 15 and under at time of issuance. You can learn more at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html .

You will are promoted to select the type of citizenship document and upload or take a picture with a webcam. In my case when I upload a copy of my Passport the site processes and automatically populates the required information into the form fields.

Then yo move on to provide the cruise line with a security photo which is used for identification purposes on board such as when you go ashore or return from shore in a port of call. This helps speed up the embarkation process as Cast Member will not need to take photos of every guest unless there is an issue with your photo upon arrival. Please note, you need to use a different photo from the one that is on your travel document.

Depending on the guest, there may be additional questions under an important information section such as “Will the guest be pregnant 24 weeks or more at any point during the savings?” Or in the case of a minor, asking if “the parent or legal guardian of this minor is sailing on the cruise.”

This is where you choose how you will pay for additional charges during your cruise. You can enter a Credit/Debit Card, select cash, or choose to have another guest pay for your charges!

If you select cash to settle your onboard account, you will have a credit limit based on the number of days you will be sailing.

• 2 to 5 days = credit limit of $300.00 USD
• 6 to 9 days = credit limit of $500.00 USD
• 10 days or greater = credit limit of $700.00 USD

You may place cash on your account at any time during your cruise by visiting Guest Services.

Once a payment method is selected you will be able to assume responsibility for other members of your traveling party including those in other staterooms if you are linked. This is also the spot where you can extend charging privileges. There is flexibility here if you want to set up a unique payment method for select members of your stateroom such as in the case of sailing with a friend who will pay separately.

In this section, you are providing Disney with important debarkation information and can register kids for youth clubs and childcare.

By default, children under 18 are prohibited from debarking the ship unless accompanied by an adult in the same stateroom. Parents/Guardians may authorize children to go ashore unaccompanied, or with an adult from another stateroom.

In this section you can find a link to the My Disney Cruise Adventure printable booklet ( Spanish Version ) with information and activities to complete before and during the cruise.

This section is where you can provide pre-/post- cruise travel details to keep Disney Cruise Line informed of your arrival and departure plans. This page is dynamic based on your selections so take the time to complete the information as best as possible. You can always return to update this information if you change plans.

If everyone in your party shares the same pre/post-travel plans you are given the option to check the names so you are not required to enter the same information for each person.

Port Arrival Time you go to is the time period that reflects when you will arrive at the cruise terminal. Depending on your Castaway Club status you may not be required to select a port arrival time and may arrive at your leisure. However, the typical screen presents you with a selection of available times based on availability.

Consider the selected time as the time when we may enter the terminal. You can arrive after your selected time up to no later than one hour prior to the all-aboard time for the voyage. For the longest time, these times were not enforced, but since the restart, port representatives and terminal Cast Members are enforcing the port arrival times.

The final step in the online check-in process is to review and accept the terms and conditions for sailing with Disney Cruise Line. This is what is referred to as the Cruise Contact which you can print or send a copy to a specified email address. To complete this step, you will need to scroll and scroll and scroll some more then click the box next to the “I have read and understand the cruise contract and agree to the provisions of the cruise contract on behalf of myself and the members of my travel party” then and only then can you click the COMPLETE CHECK-IN button.

Port Arrival Form

The last order of business is to print your port arrival form and keep this paperwork with your required travel documents as you will need these to enter the terminal. The port arrival form includes QR codes for each guest that a Cast Member will scan upon arrival at the terminal.

You can add these QR codes to your mobile wallet or email a copy of the form and pull it up on your device. However, Disney recommends, and I highly recommend printing a copy as the paper version has never failed to work for me at any embarkation port of call.

And with that, you will have your printed port arrival form in hand, mobile boarding passes added to your smartphone.

The online check-in process is complete (pending identification documentation and security photo verification)!

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20 Replies to “A Step-by-Step Guide to Completing Disney Cruise Line’s Online Check-In Process”

Hey Scott – I was literally getting ready to ask you if these had been updated! Thanks so much for posting this detailed information, as it has changed a lot since my first sailing!

Question: for passenger pics, what do you recommend? Can it be from your license or passport photo? TIA

No, the security photo needs to be unique. The photo will appear to Cast Members at the terminal and onboard when your KTTW card is scanned. The requirements are not nearly as stringent as that of a passport photo.

Appreciate the reply thanks!

When I sailed last August, I just cropped out a family picture of my spouse (who was asleep when I filled things out) and took a selfie against a plain wall for myself. Worked just fine

Very helpful! Question: what do you put for PAT if you are taking Disney transportation (and haven’t yet received the pickup time)?

Hi! If I remember correctly, you won’t need to select a PAT if you’re taking Disney transport.

If you are taking DCL transportation from a WDW resort or the MCO Hyatt, you likely won’t need to select a PAT. If you’re taking transportation from the airport, you still will.

If you are required to select a time, then select a time a little earlier than you think you may arrive via transpiration to make sure you do not have an additional wait. You can arrive anytime after your PAT.

What is the transportation to the cruise port like if you are not staying at the Hilton hotel that Disney has for cruise guests in Port Everglades, Ft Lauderdale? Our T/A found another hotel by at the port for us but there is no mention of a shuttle to the cruise port.

If you are staying locally the night before and the hotel does not have a shuttle service you would need to arrange your own transportation to the port. We had no trouble with ride shares before or after our cruise from Fort Lauderdale.

Thanks Scott, we will look into it when we check in late on Wed night after our plane lands and we get a ride share to our hotel.

Scott, wow, you’ve gone above and beyond. I think the DCL website is very easy to use for check-in but I’ve cruised many times with DCL now, so it’s super easy for me but I do remember my first couple of times making my way through all the required information. The detailed information you’ve given here will help many guests I’m sure. Now if a few ‘other’ cruise lines could learn from DCL it would be wonderful ????

Do you know if the system will accept the passport that is gonna be expiring before the six month rule for European sailings even though we will have a new one by time we board. ? But just for check-in purposes? Also, we are traveling with my daughters friend. Are we required to upload the parental page during check-in or just bring it to port?

I feel like it is not a problem as I was in a similar situation once waiting for my daughter’s passport to be renewed. However, that was over a year ago and the system may have been updated. As for the minor authorization form, I would absolutely keep a copy with me for embarkation. I am not sure the actual process before as I have not been in this scenario.

On DCL’s website FAQ page for a minor to travel without a parent or legal guardian it states you will turn in the completed form at the terminal.

A parent or legal guardian must complete this form, naming each of the children it applies to, and it must be presented by the authorized adult during check-in at the port terminal.

I realize you cannot enter the terminal until your Port Arrival time….but can you arrive at the DCL parking garage and drop off your luggage earlier than your Port Arrival time and just wait there until your PAT window opens? Or will the guard at the gate turn you away?

Hi Frank, There have been times where port staff (not DCL) has not allowed guests to enter the garage, but typically you can park and wait in your car for the PAT.

Is it during online checkin or on the ship where you sign that a 20 y/o may drink on our Southampton rt cruise?

I have not yet had this experience with Disney Cruise Line, but I will have the opportunity to do this next year. I suspect the Beverage Consent Form is something that would be completed onboard, most likely at guest services as DCL’s Alcohol Policy FAQ does not mention pre-cruise.

Another quick question please – are .PDF accepted as well for passport document? I noticed you have yours saved as a jpeg… tia.

I’ve not tried using a PDF. I have a lower file sized jpeg that just works that I keep using. For both the passport and security photo I have lower sized images available to upload. It seems to work better than uploading original files as I think there is some backend processing that slows down when using higher resolution images.

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Russia fires a barrage of drones, cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv as children return to school

Firefighters extinguish a fire after a rocket hit a building of a higher education institution in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, Monday, Sept. 2, 2024..(AP Photo/Vasilisa Stepanenko)

Vasilisa Stepanenko

Rus­sia launched an overnight bar­rage of drones and cruise and bal­lis­tic mis­siles at Kyiv, of­fi­cials said Mon­day, as chil­dren pre­pared to re­turn to school across Ukraine. Some pupils found class­es can­celed be­cause of dam­age from the at­tack.

Sev­er­al se­ries of ex­plo­sions rocked the Ukrain­ian cap­i­tal in the ear­ly hours. De­bris from in­ter­cept­ed mis­siles and drones fell in every dis­trict of Kyiv, wound­ing three peo­ple and dam­ag­ing two kinder­gartens, Ukraine’s In­te­ri­or Min­istry said. City au­thor­i­ties re­port­ed mul­ti­ple fires.

Af­ter more than 900 days of the war, Rus­sia and Ukraine show no sign of let­ting up in the fight or mov­ing clos­er to the ne­go­ti­at­ing ta­ble. Both sides are pur­su­ing am­bi­tious ground of­fen­sives, with the Ukraini­ans dri­ving in­to Rus­sia’s Kursk re­gion and the Russ­ian army push­ing deep­er in­to the Donet­sk re­gion of east­ern Ukraine that is part of the in­dus­tri­al Don­bas re­gion.

Russ­ian Pres­i­dent Vladimir Putin said Mon­day that Ukraine’s Kursk as­sault won’t pre­vent Russ­ian forces from ad­vanc­ing in east­ern Ukraine. Ukrain­ian forces haven’t achieved their goal of di­vert­ing Russ­ian troops from the fight­ing there, he said.

“The main task that the en­e­my set for them­selves — to stop our of­fen­sive in Don­bas — they haven’t achieved it,” Putin told school stu­dents dur­ing a trip to south­ern Siberia.

How­ev­er, Ukraine Pres­i­dent Volodymyr Ze­len­skyy said last month that the aim of the Kursk in­cur­sion is to cre­ate a buffer zone that might pre­vent fur­ther at­tacks by Moscow across the bor­der.

Putin pre­dict­ed that Ukraine’s Kursk of­fen­sive, which be­gan Aug. 6, will fail and that sub­se­quent­ly Kyiv of­fi­cials will want “to move to peace talks.”

Rus­sia launched 35 mis­siles of var­i­ous types and 26 Sha­hed drones at Ukraine overnight from Sun­day to Mon­day, the Ukrain­ian air force said. Nine bal­lis­tic mis­siles, 13 cruise mis­siles and 20 drones were downed, it said.

Res­i­dents of the cap­i­tal hur­ried in­to the city’s bomb shel­ters.

Ok­sana Ar­guno­va, an 18-year-old stu­dent at a Kyiv high school, said that she was still shak­ing af­ter the night­time scare.

“I woke up, my neigh­bor was shout­ing: ‘Let’s go down (to the shel­ter), there are big ex­plo­sions.’ We all ran,” Ar­guno­va told The As­so­ci­at­ed Press.

Mon­day was the first day back at school af­ter the sum­mer va­ca­tion. In Ukraine, the day in­volves cer­e­monies and rit­u­als. Stu­dents of all ages and of­ten teach­ers or par­ents wear tra­di­tion­al cos­tumes. Cel­e­bra­tions in­clude con­certs and dances.

Small groups of chil­dren and par­ents gath­ered out­side a dam­aged Kyiv school as fire­fight­ers put out flames and re­moved rub­ble.

One 39-year-old moth­er turned up at the school with her 7-year-old daugh­ter, Sophia, un­aware it had been hit. It was Sophia’s first day at what for her was a new school, her moth­er said, af­ter a fright­en­ing night.

“Of course, the child was scared. We hid in the bath­room, where it was rel­a­tive­ly safe,” said the moth­er, who pro­vid­ed on­ly her first name, Ole­na.

“To­day is one of the most im­por­tant days of the year for mil­lions of our Ukrain­ian chil­dren, fam­i­lies and teach­ers,” Ze­len­skyy said on his Telegram chan­nel.

“Ukraine is do­ing every­thing to give chil­dren as many op­por­tu­ni­ties as pos­si­ble. And all our schools, all high­er ed­u­ca­tion in­sti­tu­tions that are work­ing to­day are proof of the re­silience of our peo­ple and the strength of Ukraine,” he said.

Both sides are bat­ter­ing each oth­er with reg­u­lar long-range drone and mis­sile strikes, some­times launch­ing more than 100 weapons in aer­i­al at­tacks that sug­gest they are still pour­ing re­sources in­to weapon pro­duc­tion.

Russ­ian air de­fens­es in­ter­cept­ed 158 Ukrain­ian drones overnight, in­clud­ing two over Moscow and nine over the sur­round­ing re­gion, the De­fense Min­istry said.

The Ukrain­ian head­quar­ters of the Dan­ish hu­man­i­tar­i­an or­ga­ni­za­tion DanChur­chAid was de­stroyed by mis­sile frag­ments, its head Jonas Nød­dekær said.

Else­where, 18 peo­ple were in­jured in a Sun­day evening strike on a cen­ter for so­cial and psy­cho­log­i­cal re­ha­bil­i­ta­tion of chil­dren and an or­phan­age in Ukraine’s north­east­ern city of Sumy, re­gion­al au­thor­i­ties said.

The re­gion­al pros­e­cu­tor’s of­fice said there were no chil­dren in the fa­cil­i­ty when the strike hit, but peo­ple in sur­round­ing res­i­den­tial build­ings suf­fered in­juries, in­clud­ing six chil­dren.

The ed­u­ca­tion­al cen­ter was par­tial­ly de­stroyed and caught fire, and the build­ings around it were dam­aged by the shock­wave, State Emer­gency Ser­vices said.

An ex­plo­sion al­so rang out in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s sec­ond-largest city, ac­cord­ing to Ukrain­ian me­dia. Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv re­gion, con­firmed an ear­ly morn­ing strike on Kharkiv’s In­dus­tri­al­nyi dis­trict and said it set a res­i­den­tial build­ing and sev­er­al oth­ers on fire.

The U.K. De­fense Min­istry said Sun­day tKYIV, Ukraine (AP)hat Russ­ian forces ac­cel­er­at­ed their ad­vance on they key Donet­sk strong­hold Povkrosk over the past week and are like­ly with­in 10 kilo­me­ters (6 miles) of the city.

There have been no sig­nif­i­cant changes else­where along the 1,000-kilo­me­ter (more than 600-mile) front line, it said.

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Russia launches barrage of drones, cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv

Topic: Armed Conflict

People help an injured man walk out of rubble at a sports facility destroyed during a Russian attack on Kharkiv. ( AP: Yevhen Titov )

Ukraine's air force says Russia has launched a barrage of drones, cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv.

An explosion also rang out in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city, according to Ukrainian media.

What's next?

Posting on Telegram after the attack, the head of the Presidential Office of Ukraine said there would be an "answer for everything".

Several series of explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital in the early hours of Monday, sending residents into bomb shelters.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said emergency services were called to the Holosiivskyi and Solomianskyi districts of the city.

One person was reportedly injured by falling debris in the Shevchenkivskyi district.

Gas burns in front of a business centre damaged by a Russian attack in Kharkiv. ( AP: Yevhen Titov )

Following the attack, Andrii Yermak, head of the Presidential Office, posted on Telegram: "There will be an answer for everything. The enemy will feel it."

According to the Ukrainian air force, Russia fired several groups of cruise missiles accompanied by ballistic missile launches and a few drones, targeting Kyiv.

Serhii Popko, the head of Kyiv's city military administration, said more than 10 cruise missiles, about 10 ballistic missiles and a drone fired at the Ukrainian capital and its suburbs were destroyed by Ukraine's air defences.

Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv region, confirmed an early-morning strike on Kharkiv's Industrialnyi district.

Firefighters extinguish a fire in a Kyiv building hit by a rocket. ( AP: Vasilisa Stepanenko )

He said it set a residential building and several others on fire.

On Sunday, at least 47 people, including five children, were injured after Russian missiles struck a shopping mall and events complex in Kharkiv, officials said.

A sports facility and residential buildings were among those damaged after the city was struck by 10 missiles.

Monday's strikes came a day after Russia's military reported intercepting and destroying 158 Ukrainian drones targeting multiple Russian regions in one of the biggest Ukrainian attacks of the war which has raged for more than two years.

It also came weeks after Ukranian forces' incursion into Russia's Kursk region, which Moscow's forces have struggled to push back so far and to which the Kremlin has vowed to respond.

Putin says Russia advancing fast in eastern Ukraine

Russian forces are advancing faster in eastern Ukraine than they have done for a long time, taking several square kilometres per day, President Vladimir Putin said on Monday as Moscow's forces tried to smash through a major Ukrainian defensive line.

Russian forces, which control 18 per cent of Ukraine, have been advancing in eastern Ukraine since the failure of Kyiv's 2023 counter-offensive to achieve a major breakthrough.

Despite the Ukrainian incursion into Kursk, the Russian army has in recent weeks been thrusting relatively swiftly though settlements in eastern Ukraine on the approach to the strategically important city of Pokrovsk.

Paramedics help a man walk out of the rubble at a Kharkiv sports facility destroyed by a Russian attack. ( AP: Yevhen Titov )

"We have not had such a pace in the offensive in Donbas [the region] for a long time," Mr Putin told children at Secondary School No. 20 in Kyzyl, Tuva, about 4,500 kilometres east of Moscow.

"Now we are not talking about moving 200 or 300 metres forward … the Russian armed forces are already bringing territories under control, not by 200 to 300 metres, but by square kilometres."

Pro-Russian military bloggers said on Monday that Russian forces were now fighting in the eastern Ukrainian towns of Selydove and Ukrainsk.

There was no immediate comment from Ukraine on the reported Russian advance.

Yuri Podolyaka, an influential Ukrainian-born, pro-Russian military blogger, said that intense battles were underway in Selydove, about 20 kilometres south of Pokrovsk, and in Ukrainsk, about 14 kilometres south of Selydove.

This house in Cherkaska Lozova, Kharkiv, was destroyed by a Russian strike.  ( AP: Yevhen Titov )

He said both sides were pushing forces into the battles for the towns, which had populations of over 20,000 and 10,000 respectively before full-scale war began in February 2022.

The pro-Russian blogger Rybar also said that fighting was going on in both towns.

Russian forces have also taken control of the village of Skuchne in the eastern Donetsk region, the RIA news agency cited Russia's Defence Ministry as saying on Monday.

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Russia launched an overnight barrage of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv, Ukraine’s air force said Monday, as children prepared their  return to school  across the country after the summer vacation.

Several series of explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital in the early hours. Debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in every district of Kyiv, injuring three people and damaging two kindergartens, Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said. City authorities reported multiple fires.

After more than 900 days of  war , the two sides show no sign of letting up in the fight or moving closer to the negotiating table. The two sides are pursuing ambitious ground offensives, with the Ukrainians  driving into Russia’s Kursk  region and the Russian army pushing deeper into  the Donetsk region  of eastern Ukraine.

Both sides are battering each other with regular long-range drone and missile strikes, sometimes launching more than 100 weapons in aerial attacks that suggest they are still pouring resources into weapon production.

Russian air defenses intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones during the night from Saturday to Sunday, including two over Moscow and nine over the surrounding region, the Defense Ministry said.

The U.K. Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russian forces accelerated their advance on they key Donetsk stronghold Povkrosk over the past week and are likely within 10 kilometers (6 miles) of the city.

Elsewhere along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line there have been no significant changes, it said.

Russia launched 35 missiles of various types and 26 Shahed drones at Ukraine on the night from Sunday to Monday, the Ukrainian air force said. Nine ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles and 20 drones were downed, it said.

Residents of the capital hurried into the city’s bomb shelters.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said emergency services were called to the Holosiivskyi and Solomianskyi districts. One person was reportedly injured by falling debris in the Shevchenkivskyi district, Klitschko said.

“There will be an answer for everything. The enemy will feel it,” the head of the presidential office, Andrii Yermak, posted on his Telegram page following the attack.

An explosion also rang out in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, according to Ukrainian media. Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv region, confirmed an early morning strike on Kharkiv's Industrialnyi district and said it set a residential building and several others on fire.

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Russia fires a barrage of drones and missiles at Kyiv as children return to school

The Associated Press

Firefighters extinguish a fire after a rocket hit a building of a higher education institution in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, on Monday. Vasilisa Stepanenko/AP hide caption

KYIV, Ukraine — Russia launched an overnight barrage of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv, Ukraine's air force said Monday, as children prepared their return to school across the country after the summer vacation.

Several series of explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital in the early hours. Debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in every district of Kyiv, injuring three people and damaging two kindergartens, Ukraine's Interior Ministry said. City authorities reported multiple fires.

Ukraine invasion — explained

After more than 900 days of war, the two sides show no sign of letting up in the fight or moving closer to the negotiating table. The two sides are pursuing ambitious ground offensives, with the Ukrainians driving into Russia's Kursk region and the Russian army pushing deeper into the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine.

Both sides are battering each other with regular long-range drone and missile strikes, sometimes launching more than 100 weapons in aerial attacks that suggest they are still pouring resources into weapon production.

Russian air defenses intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones during the night from Saturday to Sunday, including two over Moscow and nine over the surrounding region, the Defense Ministry said.

The U.K. Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russian forces accelerated their advance on they key Donetsk stronghold Povkrosk over the past week and are likely within 10 kilometers (6 miles) of the city.

Elsewhere along the 1,000-kilometer (600-mile) front line there have been no significant changes, it said.

Russia launched 35 missiles of various types and 26 Shahed drones at Ukraine on the night from Sunday to Monday, the Ukrainian air force said. Nine ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles and 20 drones were downed, it said.

Residents of the capital hurried into the city's bomb shelters.

Kyiv Mayor Vitalii Klitschko said emergency services were called to the Holosiivskyi and Solomianskyi districts. One person was reportedly injured by falling debris in the Shevchenkivskyi district, Klitschko said.

"There will be an answer for everything. The enemy will feel it," the head of the presidential office, Andrii Yermak, posted on his Telegram page following the attack.

An explosion also rang out in Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, according to Ukrainian media. Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv region, confirmed an early morning strike on Kharkiv's Industrialnyi district and said it set a residential building and several others on fire.

• Ukraine invasion

Ukraine war latest: Zelenskyy sacks air force chief; girl among six killed in Russian bomb attack that hit Kharkiv playground

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has dismissed the country's air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk after claims an F-16 pilot was killed by friendly fire. Six people have died, including a 14-year-old girl on a playground, in a Russian guided bomb attack on Kharkiv, officials say.

Monday 2 September 2024 16:41, UK

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• Big picture: Everything you need to know as war enters new week
• Analysis: Why Putin's arrest in Mongolia is unlikely
• Watch: Who are Ukraine's secret resistance?
• Your questions answered: Strategic consequences for Ukraine if Pokrovsk falls

Good afternoon - we don't have live updates today, but here's everything you need to know as the war enters a new week.

This morning Russia launched a missile attack on Kyiv, the Ukrainian military said - with witnesses in the city hearing several loud explosions that sounded like the work of air defence units. 

It came after another weekend of Ukraine and Russia trading drone attacks. Ukrainian air defences shot down 24 of 52 drones during overnight attacks, the air force said on Saturday. 

And Kyiv hit back yesterday, launching a wave of attacks targeting power and refinery plants in the Moscow region and neighbouring Tver, sparking fires, while scores of drones were destroyed across other parts of the country, Russian officials said.

Today Vladimir Putin is due to begin a visit to Mongolia, a country that is a member of the International Criminal Court, which last year issued a warrant for his arrest. In theory, it means he should be put in handcuffs as soon as he lands - but he won't be. Our Moscow correspondent Ivor Bennett explains why here...

These maps show the latest situation on the battlefield in eastern Ukraine and the Russian region of Kursk, invaded by Kyiv's forces in a surprise incursion last month. On Saturday, Moscow's defence ministry claimed another settlement, Kirove, in the eastern Donetsk region of Ukraine, had fallen under its control.

Here are some other key developments from the past seven days:

Russian attacks 'cost £1bn':  Moscow launched one of its biggest air attacks of the war so far last Monday, with drones and missiles fired into more than half of Ukrainian regions. At least seven people were killed and power facilities were damaged, Kyiv said. The "cowardly" air attacks cost Moscow almost £1.14bn, the UK representative to the UN James Kariuki said, citing figures come from a report by Forbes Ukraine and Ekonmichna Pravda. 

Pokrovsk : Russian forces have been closing in on the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, prompting some residents to evacuate for fear it will fall in the coming weeks.

The region lies on a key road used by the Ukrainian military to supply other embattled Ukrainian-held outposts, such as the towns of Chasiv Yar and Kostiantynivka in Donetsk.

Moscow says it has annexed Donetsk, a claim Kyiv rejects as illegal, and sees taking control of Pokrovsk as an important stepping stone to incorporating the entire region into Russia.

Our military analyst Sean Bell answered a reader's question on the strategic consequences for Ukraine if the city falls in our Your Questions Answered series - read what he had to say here .

Belgorod:  Ukraine's invasion of Russia's Kursk region is ongoing, but there were Russian reports last week that Ukraine has attempted to break into the neighbouring Belgorod region, with Moscow's defence ministry saying the situation "remains difficult but under control" on Tuesday.

Andrei Belousov, the defence minister, said later that Russia had formed three new military groupings to bolster security in regions bordering Ukraine.

In a strike on the city late on Friday, five people were killed and 46 injured, the local governor said, with seven children among the 37 taken to hospital.

Zelenskyy's home town struck : A Russian missile struck Volodymyr Zelenskyy's home town of Kryvyi Rih on Tuesday as Ukraine was observing an official day of mourning for an attack that killed four people the day before.

The attack on the city struck civilian infrastructure and wounded eight people, local administration head Oleksandr Vilkul said on social media.

The attack was part of a barrage of dozens of missiles and drones across Ukraine that Russia launched.

Sacking after F-16 crash:  Mr Zelenskyy dismissed Ukraine's air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk on Friday. He gave no immediate explanation but it comes days after a Ukrainian pilot was killed when his US-donated F-16 jet crashed on Monday, with a possible reported cause being friendly fire.

Kharkiv strike : Six people, including a 14-year-old girl, died and at least 55 others were hurt after a Russian missile hit a residential building and playground in Kharkiv on Friday. Kharkiv has been the focus of heavy Russian bombing throughout the war, though there had been a drop in intensity in recent weeks, possibly related to the shock incursion into Kursk.

We'll be back with more updates and analysis soon, but before we go, here's a recap of the key developments that took place today:

• Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sacked Ukraine's air force commander, days after a pilot died when an F-16 jet crashed
• Six people have died and at least 55 others hurt following a Russian guided bomb attack on the city of Kharkiv;
• Two women died and 11 people were injured by an attack which struck a factory in Sumy that manufactures packaging for baby food, juices and household products;
• The Kremlin announced that Vladimir Putin plans to visit Mongolia - a member of the International Criminal Court which has an issued an arrest warrant for him;
• The Ukrainian pilot killed when his F-16 fighter jet crashed on Monday was shot down by Ukraine's own anti-aircraft missile system, an MP has claimed;
• Mr Zelenskyy said today's attack on Kharkiv could have been avoided if Ukraine had permission to strike Russian military targets with Western weapons;
• The EU rebuffed a request from Kyiv for the bloc to train Ukrainian soldiers inside the war-torn country.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dismissed the country's air force commander Mykola Oleshchuk.

The sacking was announced on Friday in a presidential decree. 

There was no immediate explanation from Mr Zelenskyy for his decision but it comes days after a Ukrainian pilot was killed when his F-16 jet crashed on Monday.

Lieutenant Colonel Oleksiy Mes was killed while defending Ukraine's skies in a Western-donated warplane.

Ukrainian MP Mariana Bezuhla has claimed the jet was shot down by the country's own anti-aircraft missile system.

In response to Ms Bezuhla before his sacking, Lieutenant General Oleshchuk said her comments were a "tool to discredit the top military leadership".

"Mariana, the time will come when you will apologise to the entire army for what you have done, I hope in court!", he added.

Six people are now known to have died following the Russian guided bomb attack on Kharkiv, local authorities have said.

Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said one child was killed in a playground and three people were killed in a 12-storey apartment block that caught fire as a result of the strike.

The Ukrainian authorities did not give the circumstances in which the two other people died in the strikes, which hit four areas of the city. 

As well as those people who died, at least 55 others were injured, officials said. 

About 20 of the injured were in severe condition, according to regional governor Oleh Syniehubov.

Top Ukrainian officials have begun a visit to Washington, the Ukrainian presidential office has said. 

The delegation includes economy minister Yulia Svyrydenko and defence minister Rustem Umerov.

"We are working in Washington... We are grateful to our partners for their support," the president's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said on Telegram .

The visit comes amid Volodymyr Zelenskyy's renewed a call on Western allies to allow Ukraine to use long-range Western weapons to attack Russian military air bases.

Kyiv says that the most effective way to counter Russian strikes is to target Russian planes, not the bombs themselves.

The US ambassador to Ukraine has called on Russia to be "held accountable for these war crimes" in Kharkiv. 

In a statement on X, Bridget A Brink said "Russia struck an apartment building in Kharkiv with a guided aerial bomb, killing several and injuring many, including children".

Kharkiv has been the focus of heavy Russian bombing throughout the war, although there had been a drop in intensity in recent weeks, possibly related to a surprise invasion launched by Ukrainian forces into Russia's Kursk region.

Ukrainian authorities said today's attack involved five aerial guided bombs launched from planes in Russia's Belgorod region, also known as "glide bombs" which are fitted with a navigation system taking them to their targets.

The footage below shows the aftermath of the attack in Kharkiv.

The EU has rebuffed a request from Kyiv for the bloc to train Ukrainian soldiers inside the war-torn country, but will train them as close as possible to Ukrainian territory, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has said. 

The EU has trained some 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers inside the economic union's borders since Russia's invasion of the country and will aim to train 15,000 more by the end of the year, Mr Borrell said.

Kyiv has asked the EU to consider some training inside Ukraine, arguing this would be faster, more cost-effective, and logistically easier than inside the EU.

But multiple EU countries are reluctant to deploy troops inside Ukraine, expressing concerns about their safety and questioning whether such a move would divert Ukrainian forces from their core mission, in order to protect trainers.

Mr Borrell told reporters: "Some member states were ready, others reluctant.

"Finally, we decided that the training will be as close as possible to Ukraine, but not in Ukrainian territory."

Ukraine has urged Mongolia to arrest Vladimir Putin on an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant when he visits next week.

The court issued an arrest warrant in March of last year against Mr Putin, accusing him of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine. 

The Kremlin has dismissed the accusation, saying it is politically motivated.

The warrant obliges the court's 124 member states, including Mongolia, to arrest Mr Putin and transfer him to The Hague for trial if he sets foot on their territory. 

Now, the Ukrainian foreign ministry has called on the ICC to arrest the Russian leader when he visits Mongolia on 3 September. 

"We call on the Mongolian authorities to comply with the mandatory international arrest warrant and transfer Putin to the International Criminal Court in the Hague," the ministry said on Telegram.

Asked earlier today whether Moscow was concerned that Mongolia was a member of the ICC, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters: "No, no worries about this. We have a great dialogue with our friends from Mongolia."

Asked whether there had been discussions with Mongolian authorities about the ICC warrant, Mr Peskov added: "Obviously the visit, all of the aspects of the visit have been thoroughly discussed."

Volodymyr Zelenskyy says he held a meeting with the top military commanders of Ukraine this afternoon.

The president said that three key issues were discussed, starting with the situation on the frontlines.

Kursk invasion

Ukraine's top commander says Kyiv's forces have advanced up to 2km in their invasion of Russia's Kursk region.

Oleksandr Syrskyi briefed Mr Zelenskyy via video link and said Ukrainian forces took control of 5sq km of Russian territory. 

Discussions were also had over the next set of reinforcements in the area, which Mr Zelenskyy said was "extremely important for strengthening our positions".

General Syrskyi also briefed the president on the ongoing fighting near Pokrovsk, which Ukraine is trying desperately to hold in the face of advancing Russian troops.

Preparing for new academic year

The meeting also covered how Ukraine will deal with the new academic year for schoolchildren, which starts next week.

Mr Zelenskyy heard reports from Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, internal affairs minister Ihor Klymenko and education and science minister Oksen Lisovyi.

The president said discussions covered security issues, as well as the construction of bomb shelters.

Energy problems

The third key issue addressed was the current state of Ukraine's energy grid following a week of heavy Russian strikes.

Mr Zelenskyy heard analysis of energy issues, including the potential construction of protective structures around key energy infrastructure.

Images are emerging of the aftermath of today's attack on Kharkiv.

Russia denies deliberately targeting civilians, but thousands have been killed and wounded in its strikes during its invasion.

The scenes come as Volodymyr Zelenskyy renews a call on Western allies to allow long-range attacks on Russian military air bases after the attack.

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Russia fires a barrage of drones, cruise and ballistic missiles at kyiv as children return to school.

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Russia launched an overnight barrage of drones and cruise and ballistic missiles at Kyiv, officials said Monday, as children prepared their return to school across the country after the summer vacation and some found classes canceled due to damage from the attack.

Several series of explosions rocked the Ukrainian capital in the early hours. Debris from intercepted missiles and drones fell in every district of Kyiv, injuring three people and damaging two kindergartens, Ukraine’s Interior Ministry said. City authorities reported multiple fires.

After more than 900 days of war, the two sides show no sign of letting up in the fight or moving closer to the negotiating table. The two sides are pursuing ambitious ground offensives, with the Ukrainians driving into Russia’s Kursk region and the Russian army pushing deeper into the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine that is part of the industrial Donbas region.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Monday that Ukraine’s Kursk assault will not prevent Russian forces from advancing in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian forces have not achieved their goal of diverting Russian troops from the fighting there, he said.

“The main task that the enemy set for themselves — to stop our offensive in Donbas — they haven’t achieved it,” Putin told school students during a trip to southern Siberia.

Putin predicted that Ukraine’s Kursk offensive will fail and that subsequently Kyiv officials will want “to move to peace talks.”

Russia launched 35 missiles of various types and 26 Shahed drones at Ukraine on the night from Sunday to Monday, the Ukrainian air force said. Nine ballistic missiles, 13 cruise missiles and 20 drones were downed, it said.

Residents of the capital hurried into the city’s bomb shelters.

Oksana Argunova, an 18-year-old student at a Kyiv high school, said she was still shaking after the nighttime scare.

“I woke up, my neighbor was shouting: ‘Let’s go down (to the shelter), there are big explosions.’ We all ran,” Argunova told The Associated Press.

The first day of school in Ukraine involves ceremonies and rituals. Students of all ages and often teachers or parents wear traditional costumes. Celebrations include concerts and dances.

Small groups of children and parents gathered outside a damaged Kyiv school as firefighters put out flames and removed rubble.

One 39-year-old mother turned up at the school with her 7-year-old daughter, Sophia, unaware it had been hit. It was Sophia’s first day at what for her was a new school, her mother said, after a frightening night.

“Of course, the child was scared. We hid in the bathroom, where it was relatively safe,” said the mother, who provided only her first name, Olena.

“Today is one of the most important days of the year for millions of our Ukrainian children, families and teachers,” Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on his Telegram channel.

“Ukraine is doing everything to give children as many opportunities as possible. And all our schools, all higher education institutions that are working today are proof of the resilience of our people and the strength of Ukraine,” he said.

Both sides are battering each other with regular long-range drone and missile strikes, sometimes launching more than 100 weapons in aerial attacks that suggest they are still pouring resources into weapon production.

Russian air defenses intercepted 158 Ukrainian drones during the night from Saturday to Sunday, including two over Moscow and nine over the surrounding region, the Defense Ministry said.

Elsewhere, 18 people were injured in a Sunday evening strike on a center for social and psychological rehabilitation of children and an orphanage in Ukraine’s northeastern city of Sumy, regional authorities said.

The regional prosecutor’s office said there were no children in the facility when the strike hit, but people in surrounding residential buildings suffered injuries, including six children.

The educational center was partially destroyed and caught fire, and the buildings around it were damaged by the shockwave, State Emergency Services said.

An explosion also rang out in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, according to Ukrainian media. Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Kharkiv region, confirmed an early morning strike on Kharkiv's Industrialnyi district and said it set a residential building and several others on fire.

The U.K. Defense Ministry said Sunday that Russian forces accelerated their advance on they key Donetsk stronghold Povkrosk over the past week and are likely within 6 miles of the city.

Elsewhere along the 600-mile front line there have been no significant changes, it said.

Emma Burrows in London contributed.

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