Cruise
A Humanitarian Crisis
In a powerful, and personal, message, Holland America Line president, Orlando Ashford asks the question that we should all be asking ourselves today: “During a time when we’re afraid to go out, fearful of others as possible COVID-19 carriers, how do we ensure we continue acting in ways consistent with our common human dignity?” What follows is Ashford’s message to the world, it is one that we should all read and remember. Ashford writes: “The coronavirus (COVID-19) has run rampant through neighbourhoods, businesses and nations, catching us all off...
COVID-19 UPDATE: HAL, MSC, Transat, Cunard And More
Holland America, MSC, Rocky Mountaineer, Cunard, Carnival extend their service pause; a "Hapi" message from the Solomon Islands; a new video from the U.S. Virgin Islands; SAA; Shep; and more. Holland America Extends Pause Holland America is advising that due to the continued port closures and travel restrictions surrounding global health concerns, it’s extending its pause of global cruise operations for an additional 30 days, cancelling sailings scheduled to depart through May 14, 2020. Guests currently booked on cruises from April 14 through May 14 and their travel advisors...
CLIA Postpones Cruise360
CLIA is postponing the 2020 edition of Cruise360 which was scheduled to take place in Vancouver from May 12-18. In a statement announcing the decision, the association said, “We take our responsibility for the health and safety of our attendees and sponsors very seriously. With that in mind, it is with a heavy heart that we must delay this year's event.” It continues, “We are actively working with our partners in Vancouver to identify potential dates for rescheduling the event in 2020 and hope to have an update very soon.” The association also advises that, “Exhibitors'...
Celebrity Takes Virtual Delivery of Apex
In what may be the first virtual delivery of a cruise ship, Celebrity Cruises executives accepted official command of Celebrity Apex Friday (March 27), the second ship in the line’s highly acclaimed Edge Series, via video conference with officials from Chantiers de l'Atlantique shipyard. In keeping with tradition, Captain Dimitris Kafetzis ordered the exchange of the French and American flags, while each country’s national anthem played in the background. “Every delivery is unique just as every ship is unique. While the circumstances are quite unique right now, it’s...
COVID-19 Update: Transat, Hola Sun and More
Transat to Operate Special El Salvador, Guatemala Flights Air Transat has announced the deployment of two special flights over the next few days to return Canadians stranded in El Salvador and Guatemala back home. These flights, operated in collaboration with the Government of Canada, are in addition to those already planned by the airline. “To date, our repatriation flights have brought approximately 46,000 customers back home, and this number will continue to rise in the coming days,” says Jean-Marc Eustache, president and chief executive officer of Transat....
Poseidon Suspends March, April Cruises
Poseidon Expeditions has suspended cruise operations aboard its 114-passenger expedition vessel Sea Spirit for the balance of March and April. Postponed until 2021 are a sub-charter in the mid-Atlantic and a cruise along the coastline of Portugal, Spain and France. All sales and reservation offices are available to provide assistance to booked and prospective passengers and to answer questions about upcoming Spring and Summer 2020 cruises and future cruises. “We certainly understand the COVID-19 related concerns and questions from our travel partners and the travellers booked on...
Atlas Ocean Voyages Acquires Four Additional Ships
Atlas Ocean Voyages is adding four more ships to its fleet. The “Luxe-Adventure” cruise brand’s fleet will total five ships by the end of 2023, with the first ship, World Navigator, launching in mid-2021. World Navigator’s inaugural season is open for reservations. Travellers can choose from 10 itineraries, ranging from seven to 15 nights throughout the Holy Land and Eastern Mediterranean, Western Mediterranean, and the Black Sea. The fleet expansion will allow Atlas to offer more itineraries in more global regions to accommodate the growing demand for the brand’s...
AmaDahlia to Sail Egypt’s Nile in September 2021
AmaWaterways reports its 25th river cruise ship, the new AmaDahlia, is scheduled to set sail on Egypt’s legendary Nile River beginning September 2021. The 11-night cruise and land adventure includes a seven-night round trip river cruise from Luxor and is paired with three nights pre- and one night post-cruise stays in historic Cairo at the five-star Four Seasons, Cairo at The First Residence. This immersive Secrets of Egypt & Nile itinerary will provide travellers a unique opportunity to experience the ancient wonders of Egypt, while embraced in the luxurious, warm and...