Royal Caribbean Becomes The First Cruise Line to Receive CDC Approval for Test Cruises This Summer

As the travel industry begins to pick back up, after spending more than a year struggling with a worldwide lockdown, the cruise industry just moved one step closer to set sail again finally.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) gave Royal Caribbean International their approval to begin test cruises starting next month.

Royal Caribbean has become the first company to receive the CDC’s approval for test cruises. And their “Freedom of the Seas” ship, based in Miami, will begin running simulated crusades on June 20 with volunteer passengers.

The aptly named “Freedom of the Seas” will be the first cruise ship to sail from a U.S. port since the pandemic began in March 2020.

“After 15 months of hard work and collaboration, today’s approval of our simulated cruises onboard Freedom of the Seas is the latest promising step in our path to return to sailing in the U.S.,” Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley told PEOPLE exclusively in a statement.

“We look forward to welcoming our crew, loyal guests, and supporters from around the world this summer,” he continued.