Cruise News: Top Stories From October

As the cruise industry continues to rebound from the impact of the pandemic, top cruise lines have announced new and overhauled ships, bolstered itineraries to fresh destinations and expanded their support of travel advisors and agents. The cruise industry made major waves over the last month. Here are the top cruise stories from October.

The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention extended the conditional sailing order (CSO) for cruise ships "with minor modifications" until January 15, 2022. Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) vice president Charles Sylvia said the industry is moving into the "final chapter of our successful restart, as we look forward to 100 percent of our fleet capacity being in service by early 2022."

U.S. News & World Report revealed new data taking an in-depth look into traveler sentiment about the cruise industry, with almost 25 percent of respondents saying they already booked a future voyage. The study also found that more than 80 percent of past cruisers say vaccine requirements are important, while just nine percent are against vaccine policies.

The cruise industry also made history in October, as Celebrity Cruises CEO Lisa Lutoff-Perlo announced Captain Kate McCue-the first American female cruise ship captain-will take the helm of Celebrity Beyond, the company's third ship in its Edge Series, debuting in spring 2022.

The cruise industry restart has spawned news of new ships being added to fleets and new features for existing vessels. Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras was christened in the first naming ceremony held in the U.S. since the industry's restart earlier this summer, while Windstar has taken delivery of its third and final all-suite Star Plus Class vessel. Disney Cruise Line has unveiled new and reimagined experiences for children of all ages on the Disney Wish, which is scheduled to enter service in summer 2022.

The cruise industry hasn't gotten complacent in its battle against coronavirus. Royal Caribbean Cruises announced a new two-year wearable technology partnership with Tracesafe and its Tracelet contact tracing wearable devices and bands. The cruise line worked with Tracesafe to manufacture the wearable tech designed to allow officials to identify close contacts when a passenger or crew member tests positive for COVID-19.

With the first wager being made this month onboard Majestic Princess, Princess Cruises has become the first cruise line to successfully offer sports betting at sea. The company's new Ocean Sportsbook real-time sports wagering experience is now available for all eligible passengers as part of the Princess MedallionClass product. Travelers will be able to bet on major sports competitions like professional and college football, basketball, baseball and hockey.

Royal Caribbean International Senior Vice President Vicki Freed and Travel Leaders Network President John Lovell teamed up to award over 1,000 free cruises to travel advisors, marking one of the largest giveaways in travel industry history. Freed said the free voyages for the over 1,000 attendees of TLN's EDGE international conference would help them better understand the cruise line's product.