Tourists return to cruise ships as COVID pandemic abates

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A sign is pictured at the Costa Smeralda cruise ship during an open day for media, as cruise ships prepare to start the summer season with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols in place, in Civitavecchia, Italy, May 27, 2021.

A singer performs on the stage inside the Costa Smeralda cruise ship during an open day for media, as cruise ships prepare to start the summer season with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols in place, in Civitavecchia, Italy, May 27, 2021.

People queue before they get on board of the Costa Smeralda cruise ship during an open day for media, as cruise ships prepare to start the summer season with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols in place, in Civitavecchia, Italy, May 27, 2021.

People get on board of the Costa Smeralda cruise ship during an open day for media, as cruise ships prepare to start the summer season with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols in place, in Civitavecchia, Italy, May 27, 2021.

The cruise liner MSC Grandiosa towers over Fort Saint Elmo, built in the 16th century, as it departs from Grand Harbour in Valletta, Malta June 10, 2021.

The cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 2' of the company TUI Cruises docks at dawn in Malaga port, becoming the first cruise ship carrying tourists to arrive on Spain's mainland since June 2020, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Malaga, southern Spain, June 15, 2021.

A German tourist stands on the cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 2' of the company TUI Cruises after it was docked at dawn in Malaga port, becoming the first cruise ship carrying tourists to arrive on Spain's mainland since June 2020, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Malaga, southern Spain, June 15, 2021.

German tourists watch members of singing groups of Verdiales, known as "pandas", as they disembark for sightseeing from the cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 2' of the company TUI Cruises after it was docked at dawn in Malaga port, becoming the first cruise ship carrying tourists to arrive on Spain's mainland since June 2020, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Malaga, southern Spain, June 15, 2021.

A German tourist sits next to a statue of Pablo Picasso as she tours in a bubble group to protect herself against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) after disembarking from the cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 2' of the company TUI Cruises after it was docked at dawn in Malaga port, becoming the first cruise ship carrying tourists to arrive on Spain's mainland since June 2020, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Malaga, southern Spain, June 15, 2021.

German tourists disembark for sightseeing from the cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 2' of the company TUI Cruises after it was docked at dawn in Malaga port, becoming the first cruise ship carrying tourists to arrive on Spain's mainland since June 2020, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Malaga, southern Spain, June 15, 2021. Image used for illustrative purpose.

The cruise liner MSC Grandiosa towers over buildings in Valletta as it departs from Grand Harbour, Malta June 10, 2021.

A Carnival cruise ship is docked, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Long Beach, California, U.S., April 7, 2021.

German tourists stand in bubble groups to protect themselves against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) next to a statue of Pablo Picasso after disembarking from the cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 2' of the company TUI Cruises after it was docked at dawn in Malaga port, becoming the first cruise ship carrying tourists to arrive on Spain's mainland since June 2020, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Malaga, southern Spain, June 15, 2021.

Passengers wearing protective face masks disembark from the Costa Luminosa cruise ship at the port of the island of Corfu, Greece, May 18, 2021.

German tourists stand on the cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 2' of the company TUI Cruises after it was docked at dawn in Malaga port, becoming the first cruise ship carrying tourists to arrive on Spain's mainland since June 2020, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Malaga, southern Spain, June 15, 2021.

The cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 2' of the company TUI Cruises is seen after it was docked at dawn in Malaga port, becoming the first cruise ship carrying tourists to arrive on Spain's mainland since June 2020, amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, in Malaga, southern Spain, June 15, 2021.

A man rides a water slide at the Costa Smeralda cruise ship during an open day for media, as cruise ships prepare to start the summer season with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols in place, in Civitavecchia, Italy, May 27, 2021.

Costa Smeralda cruise ship is pictured in the harbour, as cruise ships prepare to start the summer season with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols in place, in Savona, Italy May 1, 2021. Picture taken May 1, 2021. Costa Crociere Press Office/Handout via REUTERS

A man takes a swab before he gets on board of the Costa Smeralda cruise ship during an open day for media, as cruise ships prepare to start the summer season with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) protocols in place, in Civitavecchia, Italy, May 27, 2021.

Cruise ship MSC Orchestra arrives in Venice despite protests demanding an end to cruise ships passing through the lagoon city, in Venice, Italy, June 3, 2021.