Spirit of Adventure Leaves Building Hall

Posted on 24 July, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Do you think they have put the smokestack the wrong way around?

Saga’s new Spirit of Adventure has left the building hall at Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany.

With the ship leaving the building hall, the funnel was also fitted by a crane.

The British brand’s second newbuild will now move pierside for final outfitting.

The ship was originally set to start her revenue service in August. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, that has been delayed until early November.

Nigel Blanks, Managing Director of Saga Cruises, said: “This is a very exciting day as it brings us another step closer to being able to welcome Spirit of Adventure to our fleet. Over the past 18 months, we have been focused on creating a British boutique cruising experience for our guests that is not available elsewhere on the market. The arrival of Spirit of Discovery last year was the first milestone in this plan and the ship has been extremely well received by our guests. I’m confident that Spirit of Adventure will see an equally warm welcome and I cannot wait for guests to join us on board and enjoy all she has to offer”.

P&O Cruises sets new return date

Posted on 4 June, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

P&O Cruises will extend its operations pause until Oct. 15, the Carnival Corp. brand said Tuesday.

“As a business, our operational focus is not when can we resume sailing but is instead of how can we develop a comprehensive restart protocol that will keep everyone onboard — our crew and guests — safe and well and still give our guests an amazing holiday,” said P&O president Paul Ludlow in a release.

The British cruise line said it is focusing on working in close coordination with relevant public health organizations to approve the enhancement of its health and safety protocols.

“Our aspiration is to be adopting best practice in managing COVID-19 within the travel industry,” Ludlow said, adding that the line already has in place many of the protocols now being adopted for social gathering venues such as hand-sanitizing stations and rigorous cleaning and disinfecting procedures.

P&O’s Iona, a 5,200-passenger ship powered by liquefied natural gas, was supposed to enter service in May. German shipbuilder Meyer Werft has not set a new delivery date.

Saga’s New Spirit of Adventure Is Delayed

Posted on 1 June, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Spirit of Discovery

Saga’s new Spirit of Adventure won’t debut in August, according to a statement from the company.

A Saga spokesperson said: “The Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany, which is building the Spirit of Adventure, has informed us that the ship will not now be delivered in time for our planned maiden voyage. Progress has been severely impacted by the workplace and travel restrictions in place as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have written to our customers to let them know and offered them the chance of amending over to the new date once confirmed or to receive a full refund. An inaugural cruise is a very special event and we expect the majority of our guests will want to amend their bookings to the later date. We will continue to work with Meyer Werft on finalising a new delivery date.”