I love all things Cruise and add that to my hobby Photography I’m in dreamland, I’m an exTravel agency owner with the inside contacts, so I will try to keep you updated in all things travel related with a side serving of images and other maritime stories.
Cruise lines have begun moving customers over to future sailings to stay within government capacity limits after restrictions on the number of guests allowed on board were extended.
The Department for Transport confirmed on Tuesday (15 June) rules capping guest numbers on domestic cruises at 1,000 people or 50% of ship capacity, (whichever is lower), could remain in place until 19 July.
Limits were due to be lifted on 21 June under the next stage of the government’s “unlocking roadmap” but a four-week delay was announced by Boris Johnson at the start of the week.
In response, lines have taken steps to stay within the regulations and have been contacting customers about switching sailings to later in the summer.
In a statement on Friday (18 June) Royal Caribbean International said it had been “working collaboratively” with the UK government in the build-up to its return to UK service next month and that its “guest capacity and protocols on board are all in line with the current recommendations”.
“In line with the most recent government announcement, unfortunately, we had to move some guests on our first sailings to a future sailing later in the season. We are excited to sail and can’t wait to welcome our first guests onboard,” the line added.
Royal’s announcement followed that by Fred Olsen, whose director of product and customer service, Clare Ward, said as the line “had already planned to sail with a reduced capacity” for its initial programme of Welcome Back itineraries, “only a small number of bookings were affected, and only on one sailing”.
“We contacted all guests on the affected cruise, giving them the opportunity to move to one of our other, longer, British Isles sailings. This offer was well received, and as such we do not need to make any further changes in light of the extension to restrictions,” said Ward.
Earlier in the week, MSC Cruises also confirmed plans to switch guests over to future sailings, saying in a statement “a number of UK guests who have booked a cruise departing after 21 June but before 19 July may need to be assisted to rebook on a sailing departing after the restriction is removed”.
MSC said it was “disappointed” with the government’s delay in easing restrictions in England and “had fully expected” measures to be lifted.
“Whilst still seeking further clarifications from the relevant authorities and continuing to monitor for developments, the company will initially begin by contacting those affected guests due to embark between 23 June and 26 June,” the line said.
MSC said it had adopted “a fair criterion based on the earlier date of booking” so the first 1,000 guests booked would keep their places on board.
“MSC Cruises looks forward to the eventual easing of Covid restrictions in the UK so cruising can play a bigger role in the vital restart of British tourism and its contribution to the economy, and it can offer more UK residents that safe and richly deserved holiday option this summer,” the line added.
Ovation of the Seas arrives in Hong Kong in June 2016. Photo: Royal Caribbean International
Hong Kong providers of shipping services are breathing a sigh of relief after authorities announced they would ease strict quarantine restrictions imposed last July on vessels calling at the Asian shipping hub, trade sources said.
From Tuesday, the crew of non-cargo goods vessels visiting Hong Kong for shipping services, including bunkering and provision supplies, will be exempt from the curbs, subject to conditions, the Marine Department told shipping firms in a letter.
“This is a long-overdue relaxation as the trade had already demonstrated to the health authority here in Hong Kong that there is no human contact throughout the process,” Frankie Yick, a transport sector legislator, told Reuters.
Hong Kong’s bunkering industry, which is among the world’s top 10, was hit hard by the strict 14-day quarantine requirement imposed on the crew of vessels calling for reasons other than to load or discharge cargo.
Ship operators opted instead to refuel in neighbouring ports, such as China, Singapore and Taiwan, several industry sources said.
Yick said Hong Kong’s bunkering industry was “seriously affected” by last year’s restrictions, which took volumes down by about 70% from levels before the pandemic.
Before the curbs, Hong Kong had typically supplied about 500,000 tonnes of bunkers each month.
“The trade does hope that business will come back to Hong Kong in due course and for sure it will take a bit of time to go back to the previous level of business,” said Yick, referring to the shipping industry.
Several cruise lines are on their way back to U.S. homeports this summer. Cruise Industry News has studied some of the major players’ COVID-19 vaccine policies and restart plans.
Royal Caribbean International Ships: Freedom of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas and Independence of the Seas First Cruise: July 2, 2021 Homeports: Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades, Seattle, Bayonne and Galveston Region: Caribbean, Bahamas and Alaska Vaccination required? Rules vary by ship
For Freedom, Odyssey, Allure, Symphony and Mariner sailing out of Florida ports in July and August, vaccines are “strongly recommended” for all eligible guests. Approximately 90 percent of the passengers are expected to be vaccinated, but those choosing not to be vaccinated or not willing to verify vaccination will be subject to testing and additional health protocols at their expense.
For the Serenade and Ovation from Seattle, the Independence from Galveston and the Oasis from Bayonne, guests will need to be fully vaccinated with the exemption only for children under 12. Children under 12 will need to be tested and subject to health protocols, with no additional charges for any testing.
Carnival Cruise Line Ships: Carnival Vista, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Horizon and Carnival Miracle First Cruise: July 3, 2021 Homeports: Galveston, Miami and Seattle Region: Caribbean, Bahamas and Alaska Vaccination required? Yes – for 95% of the guests in July
The company noted, however, that it will be able to accommodate a “small number” of unvaccinated guests (children under 12) and allow a small number of exemptions.
Norwegian Cruise Line Ships: Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Breakaway First Cruise: August 7, 2021 Homeports: Seattle, Miami and New York Region: Alaska, Caribbean and Bermuda Vaccination required? Yes, initially
Norwegian Cruise Line will deploy three ships in the United States until September. With the new Norwegian Encore sailing to Alaska, the company is also planning to offer cruises to the Caribbean with the Norwegian Gem and to Bermuda with the Norwegian Breakaway.
All initial voyages will operate with fully vaccinated guests and crew.
Celebrity Cruises Ships: Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Equinox First Cruise: June 26, 2021 Homeports: Fort Lauderdale and Seattle Region: Alaska and Caribbean Vaccination required? Yes – guests over 16
According to the company’s website, all guests 16 years and older must be fully vaccinated with all COVID-19 vaccine doses administered at least 14 days prior to sailing. As of August 1, 2021, all guests aged 12 and older will need to be fully vaccinated.
MSC Cruises Ships: MSC Meraviglia and MSC Divina First Cruise: August 2, 2021 Homeports: Miami and Port Canaveral Region: Caribbean and Bahamas Vaccination required? No
According to MSC, the new itineraries will welcome both vaccinated and non-vaccinated guests. Those who are not vaccinated or unable to verify vaccination will be subject to requirements such as additional testing, as well as restrictions, which are still to be announced.
Princess Cruises Ships: Majestic Princess First Cruise: July 25, 2021 Homeports: Seattle Region: Alaska Vaccination required? Yes
The cruises are available for guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to the beginning of the cruise and have proof of vaccination.
Holland America Line Ships: Nieuw Amsterdam First Cruise: July 24, 2021 Homeports: Seattle Region: Alaska Vaccination required? Yes
Welcoming the passengers back in Alaska, Holland America Line will return to service on July 24. On that day, the Nieuw Amsterdam will sail from Seattle for the first of 10 Saturday departures that will operate through Oct. 2.
Guests will be required to have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days prior to embarkation and have proof of vaccination.
Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Ships: Grand Classica First Cruise: July 2, 2021 Homeports: Palm Beach Region: Bahamas Vaccination required? No
Bahamas Paradise will be one of the first cruise lines to resume service in the United States. After receiving a green light from the CDC to conduct a simulated sailing in June, the company plans to welcome the guests back next month. On July 2, the Grand Classica will restart its regular program of short cruises between Palm Beach and Freeport.
According to Bahamas Paradise website, guests will not need to get vaccinated against COVID-19 before boarding, while the crew will be fully vaccinated.
Silversea Cruises Ships: Silver Muse First Cruise: July 29, 2021 Homeports: Seattle Region: Alaska Vaccination required? Yes
According to the company, one of the measures to guarantee the health and safety of the operation, is making sure that all guests and crew are vaccinated against COVID-19.
