Disney Wish Delivery Pushed Back Six Weeks

Posted on 3 February, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

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.

TUI Clamps Down, Not Allowing Pre-Cruise Overnights

Posted on 15 January, 2022 by Spacejunkie2

TUI Cruises has told guests on select sailings they cannot board if they have booked a pre-cruise stay or an overnight before the start of their trip, according to Schiffe und Kreuzfahrten, a leading German blog covering cruising.

Coming on the heels of the news the company will require booster shots, the German brand is essentially telling guests to fly straight to the ship with no pre-cruise activity.

The company also said it will only take bookings with arrival and departure packages (i.e. flights) it books for guests along with the cruise, allowing it to control the full journey. Post-cruise stays are still okay.

Exceptions are being granted for guests that have already booked flights or other transportation, which will be checked by the cruise line at embarkation.

Ships/Itineraries Impacted:

Mein Schiff 2 from Jan. 28 to April 11
Mein Schiff 3 from Jan. 20 to April 24
Mein Schiff 4 from Jan. 23 to April 24
Mein Schiff 5 from March 6 to May 22
Mein Schiff 6 from Jan. 24 to Feb. 28

The Mein Schiff 1 is exempt as it continues to sail from German homeports, which are easily accessible for the company’s German-speaking passengers.

Hurtigruten Adds Third Battery Hybrid-Powered Ship as Expedition Cruising Resumes

Posted on 24 August, 2021 by Spacejunkie2

Hurtigruten Expeditions has introduced the expedition cruise line’s third battery-hybrid powered ship – MS Otto Sverdrup.

Hurtigruten said that with MS Otto Sverdrup departing Hamburg, Germany, on her maiden voyage on Aug. 24, three major milestones are marked:

• Introduction of Hurtigruten Expeditions’ third battery-hybrid powered cruise ship;

• Introduction of the first year-round expedition cruises from Germany, with Hurtigruten Expeditions offering departures directly from Hamburg to the Norwegian coast;

• Return of expedition cruises after more than a year of pandemic pause.

“We are thrilled to finally be back exploring with our guests. This is a day we have all been really looking forward to after a very challenging year for the entire travel industry,” said Hurtigruten Expeditions CEO Asta Lassesen.