Tag Archives: Covid-19

Disney Wish Delivery Pushed Back Six Weeks

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The introduction of the new Disney Wish has been pushed back six weeks, with the company citing delays at Meyer Werft.

“The shipyard has notified us that despite their very best efforts, they will need more time to finish our ship in part due to the pandemic and particularly the arrival of the Omicron variant in Germany at a critical point in the process,” said a letter sent to guests from Thomas Mazloum, president of Disney Cruise Line.

The new maiden voyage date is July 14, 2022. The company is said to be reaching out to booked guests to help them reschedule.

While it’s true, we are shifting the timing a bit our teams are making incredible strides. This ship is going to be everything, Absolutely everything we envisioned, a majestic new member of our family, complementing our other ships while bringing to life incredible new spaces, experiences and entertainment,” Malzoum said in a video sent to booked passengers.

“During my visits to the shipyard, I’ve been absolutely amazed by the innovation and ingenuity our teams are bringing to their work. The future is bright indeed. And you will see a whole new dimension of Disney magic when the Disney Wish launches.,” he said.

US CRUISE SHIPS TO MOVE TO VOLUNTARY SYSTEM OF COVID RULES

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Cruise ships operating in the US are no longer be required to follow Covid-19 guidance from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) health agency.

The CDC’s guidance on Covid measures, known as the Conditional Sailing Order, has been in place for cruise ships since October 2020. But it was finally allowed to expire on Saturday (15 January), as planned and it has become voluntary for cruise lines to follow.

CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky told US Senate politicians last week the sailing order would automatically lapse, as the health agency “transitions to a voluntary Covid-19 risk mitigation programme”.


Walensky told US senators that the cruise industry had “stepped up” in the way it had implemented Covid procedures and was now “interested in exceeding the compliance” necessary to meet the sail order’s requirements.

From 15 January, cruise lines can decide to voluntarily follow the sailing order, with the CDC continuing to carry out oversight and provide technical support.

Less positively, Walensky also revealed that US cruise ships had seen a “30-fold” increase in onboard Covid-19 infections in the past two weeks, due to the spread of the Omicron variant.

Clia said the CDC’s decision to move to a voluntary system showed the industry’s “unwavering commitment” to implementing Covid health procedures.

“Cruise is the only segment of travel and tourism that requires – prior to embarkation for both passengers and crew – exceedingly high levels of vaccination and 100% testing of every individual,” added Clia in a statement.

Cruise Stocks Are Way Up Since First Fears of New COVID-19 Variant

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P&O Britannia, Oasis and Allure of the Seas in St. Kitts, photo credit Spacejunkie2

Cruise line stocks are doing well despite fears over the Omicron variant of COVID-19 and are significantly up since dropping on variant fears on Nov. 26.

Carnival Corporation stocks were up just under 20 per cent since closing on Nov. 26 as of mid-morning on Thursday, Jan. 6., has gone from $17.95 to $21.50.

Royal Caribbean Group was seeing a similar surge, up 19 per cent since closing on Nov. 26 at $67.98 with the Thursday morning price hovering just under $81.

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings has also rallied since late November, coming from a close of $20.06 on Nov. 26 to a price of $21.76 on Thursday, Jan. 6.