Carnival Cruise Lines Could Resume Sailings Out Of PortMiami As Soon As July 4th

MIAMI (CBSMiami/AP) – Carnival Cruise Lines announced Tuesday its ships could resume sailing from PortMiami as soon as July 4.

Carnival is also notifying its guests of possible sailings later in the summer.

All of this of course is dependent on approval from U.S. authorities.

The news comes less than a week after the Centers for Disease Control released new guidelines for the cruise industry to run so-called "simulated voyages."

At the time of that announcement from the CDC, Carnival Cruise Line Chief Executive Officer Arnold Donald said he was cautiously optimistic about what's ahead in the coming months.

"We still have some concerns about the recommendations, or in our case, that guidelines that make it difficult for us to get guests on board, but we're optimistic. We'll continue to work with the CDC and other agencies and the government and the administration," he said.

According to the CDC guidelines, each practice cruise, from two to seven days, must have enough passengers to meet at least 10 percent of the ship's capacity. Volunteers must be 18 or older and either fully vaccinated or free of medical conditions that would put them at high risk for severe COVID-19.

The ship operator must tell passengers that they are simulating untested safety measures "and that sailing during a pandemic is an inherently risky activity," the CDC guidelines state.

Passengers must be examined for COVID-19 symptoms before and after the trip, and at least 75 percent must be tested at the end.

Restrictions on board will include face masks and social distancing. The CDC will allow guided shore excursions — no wandering about on their own — if tour operators follow certain standards.

Ships must make at least one practice run before resuming regular cruises in U.S. waters, although operators will be able to avoid the requirement if they vouch that 98 percent of the crew and 95 percent% of passengers are vaccinated.

(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)