What you need to know if you want to take a cruise this summer Updated 7:38 AM; Facebook Share By Taylor Dolven The Miami Herald (TNS) and Tribune Media Services After more than a year without cruises, it looks like vacations at sea may finally become available for U.S. residents in the Caribbean and elsewhere this summer as the COVID-19 pandemic continues. But unlike before COVID-19, cruisers won’t be able to hop on ships in U.S. ports just yet. Instead, they’ll have to fly to the Caribbean if they want to cruise in June, July or August.