Carnival Corporation has confirmed its cruise brands will opt into new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Covid protocols when operating in the US.
From 1 March, masks will be recommended but not mandatory onboard Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line, Seabourn and Princess Cruises voyages, although they may be needed for certain venues and events.
Carnival Cruise Line said it will continue to meet the standard of vaccinated cruises, but children under five would not be included in any vaccinated guest calculation and will not be required to receive an exemption to sail. The brand said it would also allow “additional flexibility” in pre-cruise testing requirements.
President Christine Duffy said: “The public health situation has continued to improve, providing confidence about these changes. Our protocols will evolve as we continue to remain dedicated to protecting the public health of our guests, crew and the communities we visit.”
Princess president John Padgett added: “Princess has proven cruise vacations are safe and healthy for our guests and teams. Going forward, Princess is prepared to adjust operating protocols to ensure our guests have amazing vacations while always protecting the safety of our guests, team members and destinations.
“We appreciate the ongoing collaboration among multiple government agencies as well as the support of Alaska officials and other delegations.”
Currently, five vessels are in service in North America, including the new Rotterdam.
The 2021-built ship debuted in October, sailing a transatlantic crossing before kicking off its inaugural season in the Caribbean.
The Eurodam, the Nieuw Amsterdam, the Nieuw Statendam and the Koningsdam are also presently operating, offering cruises to the Caribbean, the Bahamas and the West Coast from two different homeports.
Here are the details:
Eurodam Capacity at 100%: 2,104 Date: In service since August 15, 2021 Region: Caribbean Homeport: Fort Lauderdale (United States) Length: 7 to 10 nights Itinerary: Panama Canal, Southern and Eastern Caribbean
Koningsdam Capacity at 100%: 2,650 Date: In service since October 10, 2021 Region: West Coast Homeport: San Diego (United States) Length: 7 nights Itinerary: Mexican Riviera
Nieuw Amsterdam Capacity at 100%: 2,100 Date: In service since July 24, 2021 Region: Caribbean Homeport: Fort Lauderdale (United States) Length: 5 to 9 nights Itinerary: the Bahamas, Western and Eastern Caribbean
Nieuw Statendam Capacity at 100%: 2,650
Date: In service since November 21, 2021 Region: Caribbean Homeport: Fort Lauderdale (United States) Length: 7 nights Itinerary: Bahamas, Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean
Rotterdam (VII) Capacity at 100%: 2,650 Date: In service since October 20, 2021 Region: Caribbean Homeport: Fort Lauderdale (United States) Length: 10 and 11 nights Itinerary: Eastern and Southern Caribbean
Zuiderdam Returns in December; Balance of the Fleet in 2022
While the balance of the 11-ship fleet is set to return in the first half of 2022, the Zuiderdam is resuming service in December.
The 2002-built ship is set to offer additional itinerary choices in North America, with a series of West Coast, Panama Canal and the Caribbean.
Here are the currently planned service resumption dates for the remainder of the fleet:
Zuiderdam Capacity at 100%: 1,916
Date: December 23, 2021 Region: West Coast Homeport: San Diego (United States) Length: 10 nights Itinerary: Guaymas, Loreto, Topolobampo, La Paz, Mazatlán and Cabo San Lucas
Noordam Capacity at 100%: 1,918 Date: April 24, 2022 Region: Panama Canal Homeport: Fort Lauderdale (United States) to San Diego (United States) Length: 17 nights Itinerary: Cartagena, Panama Canal, Panama City, Puerto Caldera, Corinto, Puerto Quetzal, Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Luas
Oosterdam Capacity at 100%: 1,916 Date: May 1, 2022 Region: Mediterranean Homeport: Civitavecchia (Italy) to Venice (Italy) Length: 7 nights Itinerary: Salerno, Messina, Corfu, Kotor and Zadar
Volendam Capacity at 100%: 1,432 Date: May 1, 2022 Region: Northern Europe Homeport: Rotterdam (Netherlands) Length: 14 nights Itinerary: Arhus, Warnemunde, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn and St. Petersburg
Westerdam Capacity at 100%: 1,916 Date: May 8, 2022 Region: Alaska Homeport: Seattle (United States) Length: 7 nights Itinerary: Victoria, Ketchikan, Juneau and Sitka
Zaandam Capacity at 100%: 1,432 Date: May 12, 2022 Region: Canada and New England Homeport: Fort Lauderdale (United States) to Montreal (Canada) Length: 9 nights Itinerary: Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney and Quebec City
Holland America Line ship Rotterdam has departed on its 14-day maiden voyage from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale.The 2,668-guest vessel was delivered in July 2021 and is the third in the line’s Pinnacle-class and the seventh ship to bear the name.Following the transatlantic crossing to Florida, Rotterdam will spend from November through to April 2022 on its inaugural Caribbean season, with all sailings round-trip from Fort Lauderdale.Itineraries will range from six to 11 days and span the entire region on southern, eastern, western and tropical voyages, Holland America Line said.Guests looking for a longer cruise can embark on a Collectors’ Voyage – combined back-to-back itineraries that offer a more in-depth exploration covering more than one area.Every Caribbean cruise will feature a call at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private Bahamian island.President Gus Antorcha said: “Rotterdam’s maiden voyage has been highly anticipated for months by our guests and team members eager to welcome them aboard.“Rotterdam is a beautiful ship and the fourth in our fleet to begin cruising this year. We are excited to bring her to Florida and the Caribbean soon on her first sailing.”Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands was recently announced as Rotterdam’s godmother – a position that will be formally confirmed when the ship is officially named in the spring.
Rotterdam features the 270-degree surround screen World Stage, Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurant and Grand Dutch Café.It also has the Half Moon Bar, an “immersive experience looking at the history of Holland America Line and cruising through the lens of a cocktail”, the line explained.In other Holland America Line news, the line will celebrate 75 years of cruising in Alaska in 2022.In addition, the line’s UK & Ireland director of sales Wendy Lahmich recently told CTN that “cruising has a really bright future”, adding: “The way that the cruise lines have handled themselves and the industry has handled itself [during the pandemic], and the way that we’ve come together, has been phenomenal.”
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