Cruising was a Covid disaster. Now it claims to be the 'safest vacation available'

As cruise ships return in certain markets, including the US and Europe, there's a lot riding on vessels remaining virus-free, navigating the red tape and restoring the cruise industry's reputation.

(CNN) — The world's cruise ships were once titans of the oceans, raking in billions in profit as their city-sized passenger populations traveled across the globe. But last year, many of these floating palaces became coronavirus epicenters, turned away from port after port as Covid cases rose on board and the pandemic escalated on land.