Category Archives: Caribbean

LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN: COVID-19

KEY FIGURES

14.1M CUMULATIVE COVID-19 CASES IN LATIN AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN AS OF 13 DECEMBER

314K CUMULATIVE COVID-19 CASES ACROSS THE CARIBBEAN AS OF 13 DECEMBER

GUATEMALA

COVID-19 response oversight will revert to the Ministry of Health effective 1 January 2021 following the departure of the head of the Presidential Commission for the COVID-19 Emergency (COPRECOVID) after nearly six months. COPRECOVID and the Ministry of Health are already coordinating the transition, with COPRECOVID set to become a consulting body within the Ministry.

COPRECOVID highlights improved epidemiological intelligence, testing expansion and decentralization, as well as tracing, as key accomplishments during their tenure at the head of Guatemala's response. The change response oversight comes amid localized outbreaks following Eta and Iotas impact to Guatemala and the potential for further outbreaks during holiday season festivities, which COPRECOVID warns may lead to super-spreader events.

BOLIVIA

The Ministry of Education announced that schooling will resume on 1 February 2021 under area-specific modalities pending the results of a forthcoming education summit. The Ministry is advocating limited onsite learning in a staggered manner to reduce the number of students per classroom as a health security measure. Despite these plans, the Ministry is not ruling out virtual learning, indicating that many decisions will depend on the pandemics behaviour in coming months. The 2020 school year ended abruptly in August 2020 due to the pandemic, with the Government declaring that schools did not meet the necessary health security conditions to allow for a safe learning environment.

CARIBBEAN

Total cases in the Caribbean have now surpassed 300,000. Many countries and territories have recorded slight but steady increases in cases, namely Aruba, Cayman Islands, Saint Martin and the Turks and Caicos Islands.Grenada and Saint Kitts and Nevis have also reported additional imported cases resulting in increases of 5 per cent or greater. Belize, Bermuda and Curaao have seen significant active case spikes cases of 145 per cent, 326 per cent and 566 per cent, respectively, over the last month.

Conversely, many countries and territories that saw a surge in cases after reopening their tourismdependent economies, such as Jamaica and The Bahamas, are now seeing a steady decline in COVID-19 infections, while infections are rebounding in Cuba and the Dominican Republic after a recent drop in cases, indicating that the Caribbean will potentially have to cope with multiple waves of COVID-19 and its socioeconomic repercussions well into 2021.

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Latin America & The Caribbean - Weekly Situation Update (7-13 December 2020) As of 14 December 2020 - Guatemala - ReliefWeb

Windstar's newly stretched Star Breeze next year is trading an Alaska summer for the Caribbean, followed by a fall and winter season in Tahiti.

The Breeze's new schedule plans a debut in the Caribbean May 15 with a cruise from St. Martin to the British Virgin Islands. The cruise, dubbed A Remote Caribbean Getaway, will focus on secluded beaches and watersports, the line said. The ship will stay in the Caribbean until mid-August, when it plans to transit the Panama Canal and reposition to Tahiti, where it will sail from September to March 2022.

The Breeze will join Windstar's Wind Spirit there, which has long has a presence in the Society Islands. Windstar said that a cruise on the Breeze in Tahiti, "where Windstar's 148-passenger Wind Spirit typically only sails, is a unique opportunity to experience the islands on this newly transformed yacht."

Windstar said it had canceled the Breeze's 2021 Alaska, U.S. and Mexico ports.

The ship, which has been stretched to accommodate 312 passenegers and add other amenitiees, had originally been scheduled to debut in 2020 with Alaska cruises, but those sailings, like others, were canceled during the pandemic and the global cruise pause.

Windstar also updated its sailing schedules for the Star Legend, Star Pride, Wind Surf and Wind Star, which it plans to operate next spring in Europe.

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Star Breeze to forego Alaska in '21 for Caribbean and Tahiti - Travel Weekly

ANN ARBOR, MI Inside a cozy spot across from Hill Auditorium near the University of Michigan, there is flavorful Jamaican cuisine you wont find anywhere else in Ann Arbor.

The Jamaican Jerk Pit, 314 S. Thayer St., has been a favorite Caribbean food spot for more than a decade.

Each entre is made to order, meaning the spice level can be can customized to a persons preference, from mild to hot. Jamaican jerk style seasoning is best known for its use with meat that is dry-rubbed or wet-marinated in a spicy mixture to create the famous smoky flavor.

Among the most popular items on the menu is the jerk chicken or pork, with plantains, rice and peas, tropical salad with pineapple and mango chardonnay dressing.

Anybody who calls me for the first time, thats what I would recommend. I call it the classic, said Robert Campbell, the restaurants owner and chef. Some people who arent sure what they want, I ask What are your favorite proteins? and that makes it easy for them.

Campbell doesnt give away all of his secrets, but says the one ingredient customers will find in each dish is the love he and his staff add to every plate.

You have to be consistent, no matter what, Campbell said. We try to stick with the basic seasonings: onion, garlic, thyme, ginger to keep the flavor, but the cooking process is a bit different back back home where we cook with the open fire and where Im at its difficult to do but we try and maintain the flavor.

Campbell, who grew up in Jamaica, has owned and operated the restaurant for more than 10 years. A graduate of Eastern Michigan University, Campbell currently lives in Belleville and said he is thankful to the area for keeping his restaurant afloat during the pandemic.

They do support me a lot. They do whatever they can, Campbell said. Theyll come in and buy gift certificates and use it for a later date while still using their cash or credit card when they come in.

Those stepping inside Jamaican Jerk Pit for the first time will have plenty to study. Inside the establishment, you will see dozens of flags and ornaments representing different nations and cultures from around the Caribbean Islands. The palm trees, Bob Marley portrait, as well as the traditional Jamaican art that is mounted on the green, red and yellow walls, add to the experience.

There is a small seating area on the first floor, but during normal circumstances customers can find a few more tables downstairs in the basement. As a result of the pandemic, Jamaican Jerk Pit is currently only offering take-out.

With many students electing to study from home during the fall semester, the effects of the pandemic have been noticeable, Campbell said, adding that he credits his loyal customer base for allowing him to stay open since March.

Im there every day and when youre honest with your customers, theyll do anything for you, Campbell said. If you take good care of them, they appreciate that and they tell their friends. Their friends will come and then it just becomes word-of-mouth.

Jamaican Jerk Pit is open from from noon to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and is closed Sunday. Customers can call the restaurant at (734) 585-5278, to place an order for pickup. More information is available on the website.

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Local Eats: Jamaican Jerk Pit serves a taste of the Caribbean in downtown Ann Arbor - MLive.com

Small ship cruise line Windstar Cruises was among the first to cease operations in March and has been a leader in taking careful preparatory steps for a future return to business. The line has now made the decision to postpone all sailings until May, including the debut of its recently reimagined 312-passenger Star Breeze all-suite yacht. With this latest shift in operations (which includes cancelling Windstars 2021 Alaska, U.S., Mexico ports), Windstars Star Breeze will now return to cruising May 15 on a newly added itinerary departing from St. Martin.

Three departures of Beach Fun & Sun A Remote Caribbean Getaway, will be more adventure-focused with an emphasis on secluded beaches and water sports activities. Windstar will use its Watersports Platform (which opens directly into the sea) as well as its watersports crew to offer exploration by small boats with trips to remote beaches, kayaking, snorkeling, water skiing, and stand-up paddle boarding. Stops include Norman Island, an island at the southern tip of the British Virgin Islands reputed to be the inspiration for Treasure Island; two days at Prickly Pear Beach, a white-sand beach with turquoise waters ideal for snorkeling on Virgin Gorda; and Sopers Hole on the quiet island of Tortola.

Star Breeze will then remain in the Caribbean sailing on a variety of itineraries through August 14, when it will head to Colombia and the Panama Canal before continuing to Tahiti on a transpacific voyage. It will then sail from September 19 through March of 2022on seven, 10-and 11-day cruises. Star Breeze in Tahiti, where Windstars 148-passenger Wind Spirittypically only sails, is a unique opportunity to experience the islands on this newly transformed yacht which offers two new dining concepts with serious chef backings, as well as new suites, a spacious spa/fitness center, and otherbigger ship perks, all with just 312 guests maximum.

See the article here:

Star Breeze Redeployed to Caribbean and Tahiti - RusTourismNews

Cricket West Indies has confirmed the mens tour of Bangladesh next month, their third series amid the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

This follows a report by a CWI inspection team that travelled to the Asian nation last month to conduct a review of the facilities and health protocols.

In the draft itinerary released Tuesday, West Indies will face the hosts in two Tests which will be preceded by three One-Day Internationals. The tour runs from January 18 to February 15 with the Caribbean side arriving on January 10.

Three Tests were originally scheduled but CWI president, Ricky Skerritt, hinted last month in an interview that one match could be dropped.

The tour takes place as Bangladesh inches towards the half-million mark in COVID-19 infections, with still over 60,000 active cases. There have been 7, 000 deaths.

However, CWI director Dr Akshai Mansingh, who headed the inspection team last month, said in a briefing following the tour that the Bangladesh Cricket Board had been thorough in their preparations.

The protocols that were described to us by the BCB were very, very well thought out, Mansingh said at the time.

From a medical point of view, we are very happy I am very confident what we saw is probably as good an arrangement as you can have anywhere in the world.

CWI said Tuesday the tour has been approved in principle following advice from its medical advisory committee, on the basis of the report received from Mansinghs inspection team.

The Board of Directors of Cricket West Indies (CWI) has approved in principle the tour of Bangladesh, subject to the finalization of the medical and logistical details within the tour Memorandum of Understanding, the release said.

The approval in principle was made following a recommendation from CWIs Medical Advisory Committee (MAC), having received a detailed report from the pre-tour visit of Bangladesh by CWI director and member of the CWI and ICC MAC, Dr Mansingh and security manager, Paul Slowe.

CWI will continue discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board and the West Indies Players Association (WIPA) to fine-tune the various arrangements in order to ensure the health and safety of the players and team management unit.

West Indies will play a one-day warm-up game before facing the two hosts in the first two ODIs slated for the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka. They will then travel to Chattogram for the final game at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium.

Following a four-day warm-up game starting January 28, Windies will clash with Bangladesh in the opening Test also at the Zahur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium before returning to Dhaka for the second Test.

CWI did not allude to quarantine measures which will be mandated on arrival in Bangladesh.

DRAFT ITINERARY

January 10: West Indies arrive

January 18: One-Day warm-up match, BKSP, Savar

January 20: 1st ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka

January 22: 2nd ODI, SBNCS, Dhaka

January 25: 3rd ODI, ZACS, Chattogram

January 28-31: Four-Day warm-up, M.A. Aziz Stadium, Chattogram

February 3-7: 1st Test Match, ZACS, Chattogram

February 11-15: 2nd Test Match, SBNCS, Dhaka

CMC

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CWI Confirm Third West Indies Tour Amid COVID-19 - Caribbean News - caribbeannationalweekly.com

MSC Cruises will have four cruise ships sailing to the Caribbean and Bahamas during the 2021-2022 winter cruise season. The ships will offer cruises from two different homeports in Florida.

MSC Cruises is sending their new cruise ship, MSC Seashore, to the Cruise Capital of the World, PortMiami in November 2021. The ship will offer seven night cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

As the first of two enriched Seaside EVO Class ships, MSC Seashore has been enhanced with extended public spaces, more staterooms and the highest ratio of outdoor space per guest of any cruise ship in the cruise lines fleet.

MSC Armonia will sail three, four, and seven night cruises to the Bahamas and Caribbean. Select sailings will include an overnight stay on the cruise lines new private island in the Bahamas, Ocean Cay.

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MSC Divina will start off the season sailing out of Port Canaveral before repositioning to Miami in December 2021. The ship will offer a range of itineraries with three and four night short cruises to Ocean Cay and Nassau in The Bahamas, and a variety of different seven night itineraries and extended 11-night cruises.

MSC Meraviglia will sail from Port Canaveral for the first time offering a combination short cruises that will range from three to four days as well as six to eight night sailings.

Nearly all itineraries out of Florida will include a stop at MSCs private island Ocean Cay.

MSC Cruises winter 2021/2022 program offers something for every type of traveler those looking for a short getaway, families looking to enjoy the holidays together or adventurers seeking longer trips to discover new destinations.

Through January 3, 2021, guests looking to book their future cruise getaway can enjoy up to 50% off, plus Kids Sail Free on select sailings, to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mediterranean, or Northern Europe. View Prices on Cruises on MSC

In addition, with MSC Cruises Total CruiseFlex, cruisers have the flexibility to reschedule their booked cruise up to 48 hours before their departure to any ship and any sail date departing before April 30, 2022.

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MSC Will Have 4 Cruise Ships Sailing to the Caribbean in 2021-2022 - Cruise Fever

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China is in no way a newcomer to the Caribbean in terms of providing development assistance: Beijings first foreign aid project in the Western Hemisphere was a brick factory in Guyana built in the 1970s. More recently and much more substantially, it has been estimated that over the last two decades, Chinas policy banks have provided close to $9 billion in lending to the states of the Caribbean Community states (CARICOM), with the overwhelming majority of these loans coming from the Export-Import Bank of China (Ex-Im Bank).

The Caribbean has received less attention than most other regions in terms of the evaluation of Chinese lending practices. This is ironic in that the Caribbean could have served as the canary in the coal mine of Chinese lending long before the Belt and Road Initiatives (BRI) Hambantota port debacle in Sri Lanka came to light and governments began to reconsider their relations with Chinese President Xi Jinpings signature global initiative.

Nevertheless, despite its history, the region continues to be susceptible to Chinas largess in light of the perceived lack of alternatives and the view of hard infrastructure development as a panacea that (incorrectly) can ultimately resolve the Caribbeans deep and long-standing economic challenges. Just last year, following its shift of official recognition from Taipei to Beijing, Luis Gonzlez, director of Asia and Oceania relations at the Dominican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, stated that overall Chinese investment in the country would reach $10 billion over the coming years.

The Caribbean was the first region to experience what have become the main critiques of BRI lack of transparency, white elephant projects, ignored environmental concerns, investments long on promises and short on results, etc. even before BRI was launched in 2013. Guyana provides a useful case in point.

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The Chinese firm Baishanlin International Forest Development set up shop in Guyana in 2007, having signed an agreement to establish a $100 million wood processing plant, promising local job creation in the timber-rich country. The plant was never built. The Guyanese authorities ultimately announced that it would repossess all of the firms 627,072 hectares of forestry concessions while the Guyana Revenue Authority seized some corporate assets, noting a failure to pay import taxes. Former Guyanese auditor general Anana Goolsarran noted what are now standard outcomes of Chinese win-win investments, namely that the firm had not met requirements for the requisite permits and had not demonstrated the necessary technical and financial qualifications, nor any history of compliance.

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In the area of infrastructure, Chinas Cheddi Jagan International Airport project in Guyana has become something of regional legend. Construction started in 2012 and was supposed to last for 32 months; eight years later and it has yet to be completed. The project is being built by the China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC), the same company that built the equally problematic North-South highway in Jamaica an initiative that ended with a portion of the outstanding loan being repaid by the transfer of 1,200 acres (485 hectares) of land. With a typical aversion to transparency, the project was shrouded in secrecy; local Guyanese media only found out about the deal from a Jamaican news source. (CHECs regional headquarters is in Jamaica.)

CHEC was also permitted to bring in 60 percent Chinese labor for non-technical work and an entirely Chinese workforce for technical aspects. Public contract tenders and open bidding were non-existent. In September of this year, Guyanas new president, Irfaan Ali, with Chinese ambassador Ciu Jianchun in the room, finally let rip and declared that Guyana had had enough: I am holding everyone responsible; the contractor, the consultant, the project management team, he said. This is not acceptable for the Guyanese people. In this current position it is very clear from all that I have seen and heard, and from all the questions asked, it is very clear that something is horribly wrong. The right decision at this moment is that we cannot accept this.

While Beijings model as a supplier of investment and infrastructure in the Caribbean has been deeply problematic, its approach does respond to real demand side issues, i.e., the yawning gap Caribbean states confront in terms of how to fund infrastructure development. The Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) estimates that need to sit at around $20 billion, with similar numbers from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). It is also true, in light of the regions relatively small size, that BRI could fund and Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) could perhaps build all of it.

Thus, in the absence of major new lending from other sources, a significant number of Caribbean countries have already joined BRI. Trinidad and Tobago first came on board in May 2018, followed by Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cuba, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, and Suriname. In June 2018, one month after joining BRI, Trinidadian Prime Minister Keith Rowley frankly and ominously described the terms of the relationship: We told them we need your investment and you need our location in the Caribbean. Former Guyanese President David Grainger, despite his own countrys less than ideal experiences with Chinese lending, had stated before he left office earlier this year We cannot develop without infrastructure and we just do not have the capital to do it on our own. So, whether it comes from America, China or Britain we have to have it, and of course we have to look for the best deal.

The primary question for the Caribbean as to its future economic engagement with China in general, and with the BRI in particular, is one that has been raised in other parts of the world: whether debt traps will be created. The debt-trap diplomacy narrative, the most prevalent critique of BRI, has somewhat diminished in recent years. As more data have become available, it has become clearer that debt traps are not an inevitable outcome of BRI. However, they remain a genuine concern and perhaps no place more so than in the Caribbean.

In the context of the region, the realities are stark. Even with concessionary loans, these economies are not productive enough; do not grow fast enough; and do not have sufficient fiscal capacity to sustain a new influx of Chinese lending.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the regions GDP growth hovered around a distinctly sub-par 0.8 percent; meanwhile, more than two-thirds of Caribbean states have a debt-to-GDP ratio of over 60 percent. In many countries, nearly 20 percent of government revenue already goes to debt repayment. Since 2010, St. Kitts and Nevis, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Belize, Grenada, and Jamaica (twice) have defaulted on and restructured their debts. Across the board, it is important to note that these small island economies have very small GDPs Antigua and Barbuda comes in at $1.6 billion; Grenada at $1.2 billion; and Barbados at $5.2 billion which inherently casts doubt on the feasibility of paying back future loans in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

At the same time, the Caribbean remains a difficult region for entrepreneurship and trade in general. According to the Ease of Doing Business Report, the highest ranked Caribbean country is Jamaica at 71 followed by St. Lucia at 93. While Chinese loans come with the promise of economic diversification, the realities on the ground indicate that infrastructure development will not be remotely sufficient to facilitate either that outcome, or the promised increases in GDP growth. There is little reason to think Chinese loans could be paid back without becoming a burden.

Caribbean governments must be ruthlessly strategic in how they select infrastructure projects and with whom they partner. These projects must be of the sort that increase the earning capacity of the economy at a level that does not increase the debt burden a difficult hurdle to surmount. At the same time, the governance standards of Caribbean states have been lackluster. When you couple this endemic problem with the availability of Chinese loans untethered from rigorous requirements around transparency, distributional management, and supervision, the inevitable result is poor performance and unsustainable debt.

Recognizing these challenges and the questions as to how the Caribbean will move forward, one aspect that is generally overlooked is that China is a non-borrowing member of the CDB, unlike the United States which is not part of institution. As a donor member of the CDB, China has the opportunity in the Caribbean to test out real engagement with other multilateral partners. In 2017, the CDB signed a MOU with Chinas Ex-Im Bank in order to coordinate lending. While that agreement has not resulted in significant progress, if Beijing is serious about becoming a responsible partner among the global community of donor states, demonstrating that in the Caribbean via real cooperation with the CDB and CARICOM would be a good place to start. After all, the region was the first victim of irresponsible Chinese lending and investment practices it is certainly the logical place for Beijing to begin to make amends and demonstrate that BRI can adhere to best practices and coordinate with, rather than, compete against other institutions while providing real win-win outcomes for less developed countries.

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Bradley J. Murg, Ph.D. is Senior Advisor and Distinguished Senior Research Fellow at the Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace.

Rasheed J. Griffith is a Consultant at Kelman PLLC, based in Bridgetown, Barbados.

This article is the second of a three-part series about Chinas investments in the Caribbean. The first part is available here.

Original post:

An Ignored Canary in an Unknown Coal Mine: The Caribbean's Economic Engagement with China - The Diplomat

There are, as far as we can tell, a pair of Pirates of the Caribbean movies currently in early development. One is being written by Birds of Prey scribe Christina Hodson and is set to star Margot Robbie, while another is being handled by screenwriters Ted Elliot and Craig Mazin. While neither projects was set to star Johnny Depp's character, it was unclear if the plan for one, or both, of these movies was to be true reboots, starting the story off from scratch in an entirely new universe, or if they might be more like spinoffs, that simply focused on new characters within the same world as the previous films. Some fans of Captain Jack hoped that If it was the latter, then there was at least a chance that Depp might appear, even if he wasn't the main character.

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How The Pirates Of The Caribbean Reboot Had Hoped Johnny Depp Could Make A Cameo - CinemaBlend

The U.S. Virgin Islands receives top accolades.

[U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS] The U.S. Virgin Islands has received the Destination of the Year award from Caribbean Journal, a leading digital travel news publication.

The USVI captured the top spot in the 7th edition of the Caribbean Travel Awards, while The Ritz-Carlton St. Thomas was named Caribbean Hotel of the Year.

The luxury resort, which reopened in November 2019 following a period of extensive enhancements after the 2017 hurricanes, was recognized for its continued high level of service despite the challenges presented by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It was also lauded by Caribbean Journals editors for setting a new standard for health, safety and Caribbean hospitality in the process.

These accolades from Caribbean Journal validate the passionate efforts of our entire team as we continue to work around the clock to promote safe travel and to welcome visitors to our islands, said Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of Tourism of the U.S. Virgin Islands. As we continue to carefully navigate the pandemic, we are very hopeful to see a full rebound of our bread-and-butter tourism industry in 2021 and beyond.

The U.S. Virgin Islands was acknowledged for being a model for tourism reopenings around the region, launching a region-leading travel portal and a new brand campaign for St. Croix, while rekindling interest in hotel development, which is taking place under the leadership of Governor Albert Bryan Jr.; Lieutenant Governor Tregenza Roach; Commissioner Boschulte; and Wayne Biggs Jr., CEO of the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority.

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U.S. Virgin Islands Named Caribbean Destination of the Year - South Florida Caribbean News

Significant demand was born as a result of Royal Caribbean Internationals announcement for the search of volunteers to go on its first test sailings prior to returning to sea in the U.S.

So much that a form has been created to sign up, which saw more than 150,000 hopeful cruise lovers leave their details.

It's a good feeling knowing that so many people want to get back on ships, said Vicki Freed, senior vice president for sales, trade support and service at Royal Caribbean International, on Dec. 8 in response to the demand.

The company has also launched a website for potential volunteers to sign up.

Cruise Industry News breaks down what is known about the sailings.

What are they?

The test sailings are part of thenew Conditional Frameworkby the CDC, which came in place of the "No Sail" order. They will include the company having a number of trial cruises using employees and volunteers as stand-in passengers to test safety and health protocols.

Trial sailings are said to be monitored by company officials, a third-party class society, as well as the CDC.

When will they take place?

Likely the first quarter of 2021, possibly even January. Heres a quote from Freed at Virtually Yours forum organized by Cruise Planners:

We don't know exactly when the test sailings are going to happen we think in Q1, and we're hoping for January.

Which vessels will be taking part?

Industry sources previously stated that they expect the Mariner and Navigator of the Seas, the company's recently-refurbished "short Caribbean" ships, to be the vessels pressed into service.

On what itineraries?

Freed said in November that the first cruises will be short sailings to CocoCay, which would allow the company to operate in a bubble on its own private island.

Who gets to go?

More than 150,000 people signed up, according to Royal Caribbean International, so it will be tough to choose from them. Apart from cruise line workers and CDC staff, the cruise line is likely to choose volunteers among its most loyal customers.

"We haven't figured out our protocols yet for the volunteers but certainly loyalty status will be a key selector," said Michael Bayley, Royal Caribbean Cruises president and CEO during the International Cruise Summit that took place on Dec. 1-2.Our top tier has the name of Pinnacle and they've cruised with us a gazillion times they'll be amongst the first to receive the invitation."

Freed said on Dec. 8 that the companys travel partners will be invited, too.

What about safety?

Royal Caribbean is working on ensuring they are conducted safely and in compliance with the regulations.

While we review the requirements proposed by the CDC and consider when we can host our simulated trial sailings, we are gathering information from those who have shown interest on our Volunteers of the Seas Facebook page. Our priority is to ensure that we can exercise our comprehensive set of measures in a safe and healthy manner while making sure we provide a memorable vacation experience, Royal Caribbean said in a statement.

Yet a lot of information is still to be released about the sailings.

We will be announcing more as we get more information, Freed said. So, we look forward to it; we're looking forward to it.

Read more:

What We Know About Royal Caribbean's Free Test Cruises - Cruise Industry News