The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is “committed” to the resumption of cruise industry passenger operations in the U.S. by mid-summer, CNBC reports on its website.

“If a ship attests that 98% of its crew and 95% of its passengers are fully vaccinated,” the agency said in a letter to the cruise industry released publicly, that ship may skip simulated voyages and move directly to open water sailing,” the news organisation cited CDC as saying.

"We are looking forward to resuming operations out of various ports around the world in the coming months. In addition, we have had very constructive dialogues with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in recent weeks about resuming cruising in the U.S. in a safe and healthy manner," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO in a statement.

"Last night, the CDC notified us of some clarifications and amplifications of their Conditional Sail Order which addressed uncertainties and concerns we had raised. They have dealt with many of these items in a constructive manner that takes into account recent advances in vaccines and medical science. Although this is only part of a very complex process, it encourages us that we now see a pathway to a healthy and achievable return to service, hopefully in time for an Alaskan season,” Fain said.