(Updated 1:33 p.m. EDT) -- While the global COVID-19 pandemic has shut down most cruise lines since mid-March, there are areas of the world where some ships are sailing.In most cases, these are single-nationality cruises calling in at a limited number of ports, usually in the country of origin. Nearly all are in Europe or Asia, as U.S. cruise lines are on a voluntary operational pause until the end of the year. Technically, U.S.-based cruise lines could restart operations following the lifting of the No-Sail Order by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), however all the major lines are working through the new framework laid out by the CDC before they restart.Although options are limited, and in most cases are nationality and government-advice dependent, here is a round-up of which lines have restarted cruising on what ships, as well as where they are going and who can sail.Note too, a recent surge in COVID-19 cases across Europe led to a number of local lockdowns in Germany, France, Greece and the U.K. in late 2020, which paused a number of ocean and river cruise operations, but some countries -- including Italy -- are beginning to reopen.All these lines are operating strict new health and safety protocols, which include temperature checking and social distancing. We have also indicated which lines have mandated COVID-19 testing before boarding, as well as ship-sponsored, shore excursion "bubbles."
Ocean Cruises
AIDA
Ships: AIDAperla, AIDAmar Itineraries: Canary IslandsWho can go: German citizensHealth requirement: COVID-19 testing prior to departure.*Editor's note: These cruises are suspened until March 6.
Aranui
Ships: Aranui 5Itineraries: French PolynesiaWho can go: All visitors.Health requirement: COVID test prior to flight; COVID-19 test the day before departure at the Aranui offices.
Costa Cruises
Ships: Costa Smerelda*Itineraries: Costa Smerelda operates from Trieste, offering week-long cruises around Italy. Who can go: Italians only, opening up to more European nationalities toward the end of the month.Health requirement: COVID-19 testing as standard; only ship-organized shore excursions.*Editor's note: Cruises on Costa Smerelda will resume on March 13. All cruises originally scheduled on Costa Deliziosa, Costa Firenze and Costa Luminosa between February 1 and March 12, 2021, are cancelled. The new programs for these three ships will be announced shortly.
Coral Expeditions
Ship: Coral Discoverer, Coral AdventurerItineraries: Coral Discoverer will offer 10-and-16-night Tasmanian voyages from Sydney or Hobart began January 1, 2021. Coral Adventurer will return to operations from Cairns, offering Great Barrier Reef cruises.Who can go: Australians
Dream Cruises
Ship: Explorer Dream, World DreamItineraries: Explorer Dream: From Taipei, offering four-day cruises to Taiwanese islandsWorld Dream: From Singapore, for Singaporeans only, offering three- and four-night cruises to nowhere.Who can go: Taiwanese and Singaporeans.
Hapag-Lloyd
Ship: Europa 2Itineraries: Canary Islands.Who can go: Germans, Austrians, Swiss
Heritage Expeditions
Ship: Spirit of EnderbyItineraries: Fiordland Land and Stewart Island; Auckland Islands. Who can go: New Zealanders.
Metropolitan Touring
Ship: La PintaItineraries: Galapagos Islands expeditionsWho can go:Anyone eligible to travel to EcuadorHealth Requirement: COVID negative test required to enter Galapagos Islands; masks must be worn.
MSC Cruises
Ships: MSC Grandiosa restarted cruises on January 24, 2021.Itineraries: MSC Grandiosa operates from Genoa, offering week-long cruises round Italy.MSC Magnifica will homeport in Genoa and call at Livorno for Florence and Pisa, Messina in Sicily, Valletta in Malta, Piraeus for Athens and Katakolon for Olympia in Greece, and Civitavecchia for Rome from Feb 14.Who can go: Italians.Health requirement: COVID testing as standard; only ship-organised shore excursions
Ponant
Ships: Le ChamplainItineraries: Cruise to nowhere.Who can go: Citizens and residents of Qatar.Health requirement: Mandatory PCR test.
Royal Caribbean
Ships: Quantum of the SeasItineraries: Three- and four-day cruises to nowhere for Singaporeans from Singapore.Who can go: Singaporeans.Health requirement: Passengers have to be COVID-19 free for 180 days before boarding.
TUI
Ships: Mein Schiff 1, Mein Schiff 2Itineraries: Mein Schiff 1 operates 14-day itineraries around the Canary Islands; Mein Schiff 2 operates week-long cruises in the Canary Islands.Who can go: GermansHealth requirement: A negative Covid-19 test result when returning to Germany after the cruise. TUI Cruises is performing antigen rapid tests for that purpose on board.
