Royal Caribbean International continues with crewing up its ships for the upcoming cruise season. With the latest announcement of its gradual restart with more cruise ships on the way the company will bring team members from all around the world back on board.

According to our source, there are about 400 crew members currently in a hotel in Mumbai, India waiting to complete their 16-day quarantine and series of PCR tests before they are permitted to join Royal Caribbean ships.

The crew already checked in at JW Marriot Hotel in Mumbai on June 3, where they undergo a COVID-19 PCR test the following day. During the quarantine, they will undergo two more PCR tests on June 13, and June 18. The crew isolation ends on June 20, when they will start the trip back to the ship on a company-arranged charter flight from Mumbai to Miami. Once they arrive in Miami they will take company-provided transportation to the hotel and undergo one more COVID-19 PCR test before they finally board the ship, and start the final quarantine and PCR tests onboard. The Indian crew are scheduled to board Symphony of the Seas in Miami on June 22.

In a letter sent to the crew, Royal Caribbean said that the company recognizes these protocols are very rigorous and require an extra level of effort from the crew. Due to the current situation, the company has implemented additional safety protocols for crew coming from India.

Royal Caribbean announced the restart of Allure and Symphony of the Seas after the two Oasis Class ships have received permission from the CDC to start simulated test cruises. Symphony of the Seas will start her test cruise from Miami on August 1, while Allure of the Seas will sail from Port Canaveral on July 27.