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Cruising toward recovery: Royal Caribbean sees financial rebound, soon eliminating pre-cruise tests

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Royal Caribbean is sailing toward a rebound.

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As cruise companies continue to navigate out of the COVID-19 pandemic, Royal Caribbean said it’s still managing rising costs due to inflation.

Beginning Aug. 8, pre-cruise COVID-19 testing for vaccinated guests on voyages of five days or less will no longer be required.

WATCH: Port Canaveral officials, cruise passengers welcome end to CDC’s COVID program for cruise ships

The company said it posted a net loss of a half-billion dollars in its second quarter of the year, which was better than expected.

Ten percent of the company’s ships are sailing, and they are close to 90% occupancy.

READ: Disney Cruise Line releases fall 2023 cruise schedule

Royal Caribbean said it saw about a 10% lift in summer bookings after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ended its voluntary COVID-19 program for cruise ships.

READ: Golden Girls-themed cruise returns for 2023

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Adam Poulisse, WFTV.com

Adam Poulisse joined WFTV in November 2019.