Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Pushes Back Restart Date

Bahamas Paradise Cruise has pushed back the date it will restart cruising.

The cruise line was slated to resume sailing next week on July 25, but now plans to cruise again on Aug. 28 with the Grand Celebration cruise ship.

“In recent days, amidst a spike in COVID-19 cases in many states across the country, we’ve seen mounting pressures to modify reopening plans and consideration of the return of stay-at-home orders,” said Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line CEO Oneil Khosa in a statement.

“Additionally, new restrictions from the Bahamas have been announced, requiring travelers to present a negative swab test prior to entry. In an effort to provide the safest environment for our passengers and crew, we have no choice but to further postpone our sailing schedule.”

Bahamas Paradise said it is the only cruise line in the country to have received a “green status” from the CDC for its No Sail Response plan, meaning its crew can disembark from ships in U.S. waters using commercial transportation.

To receive this approval, Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has to meet several criteria, including no confirmed cases of COVID-19 for 28 days, crew members must come from a ship that had no confirmed cases of COVID-19 for 28 days, and land-based crew who embarked must have been immediately quarantined for 14 days.

New protocols onboard include closing two-passenger stateroom decks to reduce capacity onboard, requiring all terminal staff to wear masks, suspension of self-service buffet stations, keeping tables and seating areas six feet apart, reducing tour buses for excursions to 50%capacity, and mandatory temperature screenings for all guests.