Cruise
Cruising Pause Continues Through Oct. 31
In a statement issued today (Aug 5), that despite the alignment between its previous voluntary suspension to Sept. 15 and the CDC’s current No-Sail Order date of Sept. 30, the association believes that it is prudent at this time to voluntarily extend the suspension of U.S. ocean-going cruise operations to Oct. 31. CLIA notes in its statement that “this is a difficult decision as we recognize the crushing impact that this pandemic has had on our community and every other industry.” It continues that it believes “this proactive action further demonstrates the cruise...
New Ship On The Mekong For Viking
Viking will launch a new ship next summer for its Magnificent Mekong cruisetour. Currently under construction, the 80-guest Viking Saigon is scheduled to debut for the Aug. 30, 2021, cruisetour departure; the river cruise portion of the itinerary sails between Kampong Cham, Cambodia and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam. Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, said: “For many of our guests, Vietnam and Cambodia remain top destinations because of their significance in world history. We have led the river cruise industry with our fleet development and experiences that bring travelers...
The New Rotterdam Set To Arrive In 2021
Holland America is changing the name of its newbuild from Ryndam to Rotterdam and designating it the new flagship of its fleet. It will be the seventh ship to the bear the Rotterdam name in the cruise line’s 150-year history. The new Rotterdam will be delivered on July 30, 2021 – slightly later than the original delivery of May 21 and due to the global health situation. When Rotterdam is delivered from Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy, it will spend the summer exploring Northern Europe and the Baltic on roundtrip cruises from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Guests and...
Hurtigruten Suspends Cruises Temporarily
In response to the coronavirus outbreak on board MS Roald Amundsen, Hurtigruten has temporarily suspended all expedition sailings on MS Roald Amundsen, MS Fridtjof Nansen and MS Spitsbergen until further notice. The company reports that 36 crew members and several guests have tested positive for COVID-19 in the outbreak on board the expedition cruise ship MS Roald Amundsen. Daniel Skjeldam, CEO of Hurtigruten, said: “The safety and well-being of our guests and crew is Hurtigruten’s number one priority. We are now focusing all available efforts in taking care of our guests and...
UnCruise Adventures Sets Sail
UnCruise Adventures has set sail in Southeast Alaska this summer. The company credits its travel relaunch to pivoting quickly as a small business along with establishing crucial conversations with government officials and leading the Small Boat Operators Coalition. The groundwork that has been set for months with their dedicated team has stepped-up streamlined safety training and protocols for the Wilderness Adventurer to depart tomorrow. The U.S. small business is committed to the evolution of travel and continues to decipher and define small boat trends. CEO Dan Blanchard said:...
NCL Extends Peace Of Mind Policy
Norwegian Cruise Line has extended its Peace of Mind cancelation policy into 2021 as well as introducing a protracted final payment schedule in an effort to instill consumer confidence and inspire guests to transform their destination daydreams into vacation reality. Guests sailing on cruises booked by Aug. 31, 2020 with embarkation dates from Jan. 1, 2021 to Oct. 31, 2021, now have the flexibility to cancel their cruise 15 days prior to departure. Those who take advantage of the Peace of Mind policy will receive a full refund in the form of a future cruise credit which may be...
NCLH Extends Suspension Of Voyages
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. -- which operates the Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands – has announced an extension of its previously announced suspension of global cruise voyages to include all voyages embarking between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31, 2020 for its three cruise brands. In an effort to provide additional transparency, beginning in August, the company plans to provide an update at the end of each month regarding the status of voyage suspensions, including any potential extensions. As well, the company recently announced a...
Celestyal Adds Costa Ship To Its Fleet
Celestyal Cruises has added the Costa NeoRomantica from Costa Cruises to its fleet. Built in 1993 and extensively refurbished in 2012, the 1,800-guest ship has 789 cabins, 132 of which feature balconies, as well as a variety of dining and entertainment venues, bars and lounges, two pools, a gym and a panoramic spa. Celestyal Cruises’ CEO, Chris Theophilides, said: “While Covid-19 has brought a temporary pause to our operations, it is important that we look to the future with optimism and continue to deliver on our strategic plan to grow the business and enhance the award winning...