Tag Archives: german

COVID Outbreak Ends Voyage For Thousands Already Aboard Cruise Ship

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The German operator of a cruise ship that has been stuck in Lisbon’s port due to an outbreak of the coronavirus among its crew pulled the plug on the voyage on Sunday after some passengers tested positive, port authorities said.

The AIDAnova, with 2,844 passengers and 1,353 crew onboard docked in Lisbon on Dec. 29 while en route to the island of Madeira for New Year’s Eve celebrations, but was unable to continue the journey after 52 cases of COVID-19 were detected among the fully-vaccinated crew.

It had been allowed to leave port and head to the Spanish island of Lanzarote on Sunday, but now another 12 people have tested positive, including four passengers, captain of the port Diogo Vieira Branco told TSF radio.

“The company’s protocol was immediately actioned, with those infected, who are asymptomatic or displaying light symptoms, immediately isolated on the ship … and the company decided to end the cruise and disembark the passengers,” he said.

The passengers would be transported home by air, he added, without specifying when.

The company, AIDA Cruises, which is a subsidiary of Carnival Corp, did not reply to a Reuters request for comment.

Reuters footage showed passengers still enjoying the afternoon sun on decks with their drinks, and local media said the disembarking would begin after 6 a.m. on Monday.

The crew who had tested positive between Wednesday and Friday were transferred to Lisbon hotels and were in isolation there.

On Thursday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advised people to avoid travelling on cruise ships regardless of their vaccination status.

The move delivered another blow to the industry that only returned to the seas in June after a months-long suspension of voyages caused by the pandemic.

German lockdown forces cancellation of Aida cruises

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German cruise brand Aida Cruises has cancelled all voyages planned between October 31 and November 30, following news of Germany’s lockdown.
The Carnival Corporation brand said in a statement: “As a result of Germany implementing far-reaching measures to contain the coronavirus pandemic, Aida Cruises today (October 29) announced it will temporarily pause its cruises for November, cancelling all voyages planned between October 31 and November 30.
“This follows the federal government of Germany’s October 28 decision to impose further restrictions on public life and travel to limit the spread of Covid-19, which Aida Cruises fully supports.
“As the leading cruise line in Germany and a part of Carnival Corporation & plc, Aida Cruises’ highest responsibility and top priorities are compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of its guests, crew, shoreside employees, and the people and communities its ships visit – and that commitment is reflected in the line’s temporary pause in cruise operations.
“Aida Cruises recognises its decision is disappointing to its guests and appreciates guests understanding the importance of making health and safety the most important priority.”
The cruise line resumed operations in mid-October and “will closely monitor the further development of the pandemic” before starting cruises again in December onwards.
With Covid-19 cases surging across Europe, Germany’s month-long national lockdown starts on Monday (November 2) with the closure of restaurants, bars, gyms and theatres.
Meanwhile, France will be going into lockdown from Friday (October 30) with citizens allowed to leave home only for essential work or medical reasons.

Viva Cruises plans resumption of Baltic coast sailings

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VIVA Cruises Launches VIVA TIARA

Viva Cruises is expanding its range in 2021 by resuming Baltic sailings following the restart of European itineraries post lockdown.

Revamped 123-passenger ship Swiss Diamond joins the fleet next year to resume the cruises along the Baltic coast.

Two itineraries from the German Baltic city of Stralsund will run from May to October 2021, with prices starting at €1,395 per person for seven nights all-inclusive in a two-bed cabin.

The German river cruise specialist will deploy MS Treasures and MS Inspire on four-night sailings along with the Main and Rhine next summer.

Other itineraries include Danube and Moselle river sailings and six-night departures over the Christmas period between Dusseldorf and Strasbourg.

The year-round sailings by the two ships start in March with cruise-only rates for four-nights starting at €495, rising to €2,695 for a 17-day Danube tour.

Chief operating officer Andrea Kruse said: “As the new four-night cruises introduced this summer worked out so well, we are very pleased to present these new 2021 itineraries onboard MS Treasures and MS Inspire.

“Featuring spacious suites of up to 30 square metres and Viva’s checklist – the health and safety measures introduced in light of Covid-19 – we are really looking forward to welcoming more of our beloved UK guests again.”