TUI to Add Mein Schiff 6 Back in September, Cruising From Crete

Posted on 16 August, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

The TUI Cruises restart is going so well the company is expanding to three ships as the Mein Schiff 6 will sail round-trip cruises from Crete in September with port calls.

The first week-long sailing will depart on Sept. 13.

Guests will be allowed to take company-organized shore excursions in Athens, Crete and Corfu.

TUI said it will dramatically expand shore excursion capacity so all guests can partake. The ship is expected to operate at 60 per cent occupancy.

The Mein Schiff 1 and Mein Schiff 2 will continue with their “Blue Voyages” (no port calls) in the North and Baltic Sea, offering five- and seven-day cruises in September, according to the company.

For the time being all departures of the Mein Schiff fleet (departures from September) will require a negative COVID-19 test result (PCR test). The costs for this are already included in the travel price.

Before the new crew comes on board, they are tested for COVID-19 shoreside. Only crewmembers who have tested negative can come on board and then they also go into 14-day individual isolation on a balcony cabin before they begin working.

Marella further extends cruise cancellations until September 30

Posted on 24 July, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Marella Explorer 2

Marella Cruises is further extending the cancellation of sailings until September 30.

The Tui UK & Ireland line’s only ship sailing this summer will be Marella Explorer from Corfu from October 2.

The extension of the cancellations was blamed on on-going travel restrictions in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

All cruises had previously been cancelled last month until at least August 27.

Passengers whose bookings are impacted by the changes will receive a refund credit and up to 10% incentive of the total value of their booking.

Alternatively, they can request a cash refund via an online form on the Tui website.

The company added: “Due to the on-going uncertainty customers with bookings due to depart in October can amend their cruise for free before the 31 July to any other holiday on sale until October 2021.”

TUI Expects to Restart Cruise Ships With Less Occupancy, More Changes

Posted on 13 May, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Tui’s new Mein Schiff 2

TUI Group has said it expects to restart cruise service this summer, but with less occupancy.

The company, which oversees the TUI, Hapag-Lloyd and Marella brands, said the changes will start at boarding, with new health questionnaires. screening preboarding and staggered boarding groups.

The company also said it plans to start with less than 1,000 guests on each ship until August 31, 2020, meaning TUI’s big ships, with capacity for just under 3,000 guests, would be sailing at approximately one-third occupancy, allowing for much more distance in public areas.

Other changes include the elimination of self-service food. Public venues will also be limited to one-third of their capacity. Only 10 children will be allowed in the Kids’ Club aboard, the company said.

In addition, the ships will operate at what TUI called OPP-3 (Outbreak Prevention Plan Level 3), meaning constant cleaning of touched services, every 30 minutes or less. The company said it expects to have COVID-19 testing capabilities aboard with additional medical staff.

The cruise line will work closely with ports to develop joint procedures to handle any possible COVID-19 cases, according to a statement.