Saga’s New Spirit of Adventure Is Delayed

Posted on 1 June, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Spirit of Discovery

Saga’s new Spirit of Adventure won’t debut in August, according to a statement from the company.

A Saga spokesperson said: “The Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, which is building the Spirit of Adventure, has informed us that the ship will not now be delivered in time for our planned maiden voyage. Progress has been severely impacted by the workplace and travel restrictions in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have written to our customers to let them know and offered them the chance of amending over to the new date once confirmed or to receive a full refund. An inaugural cruise is a very special event and we expect the majority of our guests will want to amend their bookings to the later date. We will continue to work with Meyer Werft on finalising a new delivery date.”

Redesigned Buffets Will Need to Convey Sense of Safety

Posted on 1 June, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

The cruise ship buffet may never look the same again, according to an industry supplier.

“It will not just be about serving food in a safe way; it will also be about conveying a sensation of safety to the customers,” said Erik Schobesberger, vice president sales modernization at ALMACO, a key supplier of interior, galley and buffet design and installation to the cruise industry.

The company said that buffets will either change drastically or cease to exist, and cruise ship operators will need to figure out easy and cost-efficient temporary solutions in order to be ready for sailing in August.

“The temporary solutions, however, will most likely not be 100 per cent efficient and visually acceptable as long-term solutions,” said Schobesberger.

“The new concept must be ‘wow,” while meeting the new standards and regulations,” he added.

Schobesberger said he expects some cruise lines will choose to keep the buffet concept but implement design improvements and equipment innovations that make it safe.

“Others will transform their restaurants into a la carte with open kitchens or cooking shows. Whatever the choice maybe, we can assure you that ALMACO is here to help our customers on every step of the way, from quick-fix solutions to get the restaurants up and running to redesign and revitalization of new innovative future- and germ-proof restaurant concepts,” he added.

Canada Effectively Cancels Its Cruise Season, Expanding Ban Through October

Posted on 30 May, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Halifax in Nova Scotia.

Citing the COVID-19 pandemic, Canadian authorities have effectively cancelled the rest of the 2020 cruise season in Canadian waters by banning any ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020.

The order came down via the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau.

The news cancels the Alaska season except for U.S.-flagged vessels and will put a stop to the late summer and early autumn fall foliage sailings in Canada/New England. It will also impact expedition operators in the Arctic.

“Our Government is committed to protecting Canadians, particularly during these challenging times. It is for that reason I am announcing updated measures for cruise ships and other passenger vessels in Canada, which includes prohibiting larger cruise ships from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020. Our Government continues to work with other levels of government, transportation industry stakeholders, and Indigenous peoples to re-examine measures and to ensure Canada’s transportation system remains safe and secure during this time. We are all in this together,” said Garneau.

As of July 1, 2020, all other passenger vessels must follow provincial, territorial, local and regional health authority requirements for timelines and processes to resume operations, the government said.

Passenger vessels with the capacity to carry more than 12 persons continue to be prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters (including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and the Labrador Coast) until October 31, 2020.

Beginning July 1, 2020, passenger vessels will be allowed to operate in inland rivers and lakes in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.