Tag Archives: CDC

PRINCESS EXTENDS SAILING SUSPENSION UNTIL END OF MARCH

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Princess Cruises has extended its suspension of global sailings until the end of March.

All cruises through to 31 March 2021 have been cancelled, while itineraries from US ports longer than seven days have been put on hold until 1 November.

Princess said the move would allow time for “completing required activities” in line with recommendations made by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) restart framework published earlier this month.

The line has also extended its pause in operations for cruises departing in and out of Japan through to 25 June 2021 due to “uncertainty about when international travel restrictions might be lifted”.

Guests currently booked on these cancelled voyages will have the option to receive a refundable future cruise credit equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare and an additional non-refundable bonus credit equal to 25% of the cruise fare.

Customers can alternatively request a full refund for all monies paid on their booking. Requests must be received by 31 December 2020 or guests will be registered for the future cruise credit option.

Princess president Jan Swartz said: “We are focused on preparing our ships to meet the CDC health and safety requirements for our eventual return to service.

“We also appreciate the continued support we have received from our guests, partners and travel advisors, reinforcing for all of us why we do what we do.”

‘Positive Signs’ as Holland America Moving Six Ships Toward U.S.

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Holland America Line is preparing for a gradual restart and is said to be moving six cruise ships toward the U.S. citing positive signs and a new conversation around the return to service.

The news came in a letter sent to crew from President Gus Antorcha, reported by Crew Center, and also obtained by Cruise Industry News.

“Following in-depth discussions with the CDC, other government agencies, and medical and science authorities, we have decided to start moving six Holland America Line ships toward U.S. waters over the next several weeks to begin completing the requirements for conditional sailing,” Antorcha said in the letter sent to the crew.

The ships heading to U.S. waters are the Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam, and Noordam. Holland America did not specify port information but the line has traditionally had a strong presence in the winter from Port Everglades and Tampa, which would pull from a large drive-to market.

“While there is still much to be done, this is an important first step toward our goal of resuming cruise operation,” the letter said.

“Holland America Line will continue to work with the CDC on our eventual return to guest cruise operations. We are fully aligned with the CDC on our top priorities for compliance, protecting the environment, and the health, safety, and well-being of our guests, the people in communities we touch, our crew, and shoreside employees.”

Bahamas Paradise’s Grand Celebration Likely Getting Scrapped

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Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s Grand Celebration is likely heading to the end of her cruise career as the ship is rumoured to have been sold for scrap and is currently sailing toward India, where the 1987-built vessel is expected to arrive in early January.

Company officials did not return a request for comment, while a separate Facebook post from the cruise operator reassuring guests they would return to service soon has since been removed.

The cruise line’s website has also been simplified recently, while its booking engine has been offline for at least three weeks.

“Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is pleased to announce that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lifted the no-sail order and provided new guidelines for cruises to resume sailing. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is now working to comply with all requirements to ensure a safe return for guests to Grand Bahama Island,” the company said, on its website, noting it will “be accepting reservations very soon.”

With the Grand Celebration presumably exiting the fleet, it leaves the company with the more modern Grand Classica under its banner, offering two-night cruises to the Bahamas from Palm Beach.