Royal Caribbean Group has announced that it is extending the suspension of selected cruises, including all departures from the US, until 30 June.

Cruising out of US ports is effectively banned because of the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conditional sailing order.

Royal Caribbean Group chairman and CEO Richard Fain said: “Safety is the first priority, and we know that cruising can be safe, as we have seen in Europe and Asia.

“The rising number of Americans who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, layered on top of the rigorous health and safety measures we are implementing under the Healthy Sail Panel’s guidance, enables us to create a safe environment to take a cruise.

“We strongly believe that president Biden’s stated goal for society to reopen in time for Independence Day [4 July] is a realistic goal.”

Changes as follows:

Royal Caribbean International

• Suspending sailings through to 30 June
• Excluding all ships that have recently announced new homeports around the globe

Celebrity Cruises

• Suspending sailings through to 30 June
• Excluding all ships that have recently announced new homeports around the globe

Silversea Cruises

• Suspending sailings through to 30 June
• Excluding Silver Moon, Silver Origin and Silver Explorer

Elsewhere, Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas will set sail from Southampton for the first time in five years this summer.

New ship Odyssey of the Seas will also begin sailing from Haifa, Israel, on 2 June, while Jewel of the Seas will cruise from Cyprus on seven-night cruises in the Greek islands, beginning 10 July.

Vision of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas are also scheduled to resume operations in June, departing from Bermuda and Nassau, respectively.

Silversea has announced plans to resume operations in the eastern Mediterranean from June, with cruises available to guests who are fully vaccinated. Setting sail from 18 June, Silver Moon will depart on 10-day itineraries to the eastern Mediterranean from Greece.

Celebrity Cruises, meanwhile, will run UK cruises this summer. Celebrity Silhouette will set sail from Southampton from 3 July for six to eight-night itineraries.

Celebrity Apex is also scheduled to make its debut on seven-night sailings from Athens, starting on 19 June. In addition, Celebrity Millennium will sail from its new homeport of St Maarten, with stops in the Caribbean, from 5 June.