Lebawit Lily Girma

Europe’s winter season looks bleak as the pandemic shuts down service economies in the region’s major destinations until early December — for now. Yet optimism remains that traveler demand will return as soon as restrictions end, even if that means a canceled Christmas.

Cruise lines are suspending U.S. operations through Dec. 31 — but it will likely take a while longer, as ships must first meet the CDC's new conditional sailing requirements, including simulated voyages proving low Covid risk and crew protection measures.