Royal Caribbean Is Officially Looking for Volunteers to Take 'Simulated Cruises' — Here's How to Sign Up

Days after it was reported that Royal Caribbean would be looking for volunteers for trial sailings, the company released a sign-up form for guests who can't wait to get back to the high seas.

In a Facebook group entitled "Volunteers of the Seas," it's "About" page reads, "While we review the requirements proposed by the CDC and consider when we can host our simulated trial sailings, we are gathering information from those who have shown interest."

To sign up, adults 18 years and older are asked to fill out an online form with their personal information.

Royal Caribbean received more than 3,000 emails in a week -- in addition to tweets and messages on social media -- voicing interest in becoming one of the first to sail again in the coronavirus era, according to the company's new social media page.

"Our priority is to ensure that we can exercise our comprehensive set of measures in a safe and healthy manner while making sure we provide a memorable vacation experience," it said.

The trial cruises are part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's "phased resumption of cruise ship operations" after the agency lifted its "No-Sail" Order earlier this month.

The call also comes as the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents major cruises, including Royal Caribbean, has extended its voluntary suspension of cruise operations in the U.S. through Dec. 31, echoing several lines that have cancelled itineraries for this year and even into 2021.

When Royal Caribbean does finally return, the line will look to implement its Healthy Sail Panel, which it created in conjunction with Norwegian Cruise Line, as well as abide by CLIA's protocols, including testing passengers for the virus before allowing them to embark on any ships.

While Royal Caribbean looks to get out of port, one cruise line that attempted to resume sailings in the Caribbean was forced to pause its plans after passengers tested positive for COVID-19. The SeaDream Yacht Club was forced to turn around and head back to Barbados just days after the cruise line became the first to resume trips to the region when "guests' tests for Covid-19 returned assumptive positive results," the company noted on Thursday.

SeaDream Yacht Club said in a statement all guests are being re-tested and quarantined in their cabins, and that all crew have tested negative for the virus.

Alison Fox is a contributing writer for Travel + Leisure. When she's not in New York City, she likes to spend her time at the beach or exploring new destinations and hopes to visit every country in the world. Follow her adventures on Instagram.