Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands extend the suspension of sailings

Posted on 24 April, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Sky leaving the Port of Miami, photo credit Dave Jones

Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have extended the suspension of all cruises until June 30.

The Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings brands extended the current extension from May 11 as they bid to help stem the spread of Covid-19.

The company said it will continue to work with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the federal government and global public health authorities to take “all necessary precautions” to ensure the health, safety and security of guests, crew and the communities it visits.

“We are committed to taking all appropriate actions to combat the spread of Covid-19 and, as such, have extended our global voyage suspension through June 30,” said Frank Del Rio, president and chief executive of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings. “We continue to work closely and in partnership with the US CDC, global public health authorities and local, state and federal governments to build upon our already rigorous health and safety protocols to ensure that our brands are ready to safely resume operations with these new protocols in place.

“Our teams are working around the clock to do what is right by our loyal guests and valued travel partners and we greatly appreciate their understanding as we continue to adapt to the ever-evolving global health environment.”

Guests who are booked on voyages with embarkation dates between May 11 and June 30, 2020, on Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises or Regent Seven Seas Cruises are asked to contact their travel agent or the cruise line for more information.

Inside the MSC Magnifica’s Journey Home with Captain Roberto Leotta

Posted on 22 April, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

From March 14 to April 20, the MSC Magnifica did not disembark any guests and sailed straight back to Marseille amid the COVID-19 crisis with Captain Roberto Leotta at the helm for the unprecedented journey.

The ship was in the middle of its world cruise, which was set to span 118 days.

“We were aware of the COVID-19 situation from the moment it became public,” said Leotta. “During the early days of the world cruise, we monitored the situation closely as it was constantly evolving. We adapted to the situation as it unfolded and followed the appropriate heightened health and safety measures.”

As the situation unfolded, Leotta said that government restrictions were remaking port calls more difficult, with the decision coming in Hobart on March 14 to no longer allow guests to disembark for safety reasons.

“By the time we reached Sydney we had technically cancelled the planned world cruise,” he said. ”It was obviously a difficult decision and we, of course, evaluated all of the options carefully.”

Heading back to Marseille, the 2010-built ship provisioned in Fremantle and Colombo.

“I think it is safe to say that this is an unprecedented situation and I am not sure that anyone has experienced anything like this before,” Leotta added, noting that the cruise home was basically treated as a cruise sailing with food, beverage and entertainment.

Leotta will stay aboard the ship for now. He went to sea in 1984, first serving on tanker ships before moving to cruise ships as a deck cadet in 1988, making the grade of captain in 2006.

Fred Olsen cancels cruises beyond May 23

Posted on 22 April, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Fred Olsen Cruises | Fred Cruises

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines is extending the cancellation of sailings to an unspecified date beyond May 23 in the wake of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The line will be assessing all upcoming cruises from May 23 in date order.

The first five sailings by European river cruise ship Brabant have also been cancelled.

The company announced on March 13 that all ocean cruise sailings would be paused until May 23.

The ocean fleet of four ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch – will remain in Scotland’s Firth of Forth, just outside the port of Rosyth, during the company’s pause in cruise operations.

Managing director Peter Deer said: “At this stage, I am not able to confirm a date when we can expect to resume normal operations, as what I don’t want to do is set an expectation and not be able to deliver what we promise.

“What I can say is that we are keeping a very close eye on the latest guidance from the relevant authorities, including the UK Government and Public Health England, as well as overseas policies.

“We are very clear on our position that we will not resume cruising until we know that it is safe for us to do so. The safety of our guests and crew is always our utmost priority, and this is especially true now.

“All guests on affected cruises will be notified with at least 30 days’ notice before their cruise was due to depart.”

He added: “It is regrettable that we won’t be welcoming guests back on board at the end of May as we had initially hoped, but we can’t wait to start sailing again as soon as the world is ready for us to do so.”