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Hurtigruten ‘in talks with government’ over UK cruise plans

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Hurtigruten has confirmed it is in discussions with the UK government over plans to operate a series of short-break itineraries around the British Isles following the FCO’s updated advice against all cruise travel.

The line also said its plans to run the series of cruises in September were “underpinned by a flexible booking policy to reassure guests”, including a refund if sailings are cancelled.

Anthony Daniels, UK & EMEA general manager, said: “Health and safety of guests and crew is Hurtigruten’s number one priority, and we comply with all Covid-19 regulations and policies in the waters, coasts and ports we visit.

“We currently operate five ships on both domestic and international cruises, with two more re-entering services next week. By the time of our first UK departure, Hurtigruten will operate more than 10 ships across the Arctic, Norway, Germany and UK waters.”

He added: “Hurtigruten’s announcement to bring Short Break expedition cruises to UK waters has been underpinned by a flexible booking policy to reassure guests, offering a refund if sailings are cancelled; reduced capacity to 350 guests (or c65%); professional operational protocols, robustly tested and in practice now.

“In the planning of this short break series, comprehensive Outbreak Prevention Plans and Covid Response Plans were voluntarily submitted to port authorities and local destinations stakeholders for scrutiny and acceptance before launch.

“We are in discussion with the government over the return to operation of expedition cruising for UK guests.”

Princess Cruises abandons summer sailings

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Worldwide coronavirus travel restrictions have forced Princess Cruises to abandon sailings for the remaining summer season.

The line, at the centre of controversy over Covid-19 outbreaks on a number of ships, has extended its pause in global operations from June 30 – the date new ship Enchanted Princess had been due to be named in Southampton.

The delivery of the new vessel was previously delayed with the Carnival Corporation brand now cancelling its five-ship programme in Europe this summer on Enchanted Princess, Regal Princess, Sky Princess, Crown Princess and Island Princess as part of the new wave of suspended sailings.

Other cruises cancelled until the end of the summer season include:

All remaining Alaska cruises on Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess

Summer Caribbean cruises and all Canada and New England cruises on Caribbean Princess and Sky Princess

Summer to autumn cruises departing from Japan on Diamond Princess

Australia-based cruises on Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess until August

July cruises sailing from Taiwan on Majestic Princess

Autumn cruises sailing to Hawaii and French Polynesia on Pacific Princess through to November

Princess originally announced a voluntary pause in operations for two months, affecting departures between March 12 and May 10. That was then extended in April through to June 30 before yesterday’s announcement.

The line made the “extremely difficult” decision to cancel select cruises through the end of the 2020 summer season due to reduced flight availability, the closure of cruise ports in regions around the world and “other factors impacting international travel”.

Princess pledged to protect travel agent commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full, “in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success”.

Refunds are being offered but must be requested via an online form by June 15 or customers will receive refundable future cruise credits.

People who have booked and paid for the newly cancelled cruises have the option to receive a future cruise credit plus an additional bonus credit equal to 25% of the fare.

Princess will double the deposit, providing a refundable future cruise credit, for those who have not paid in full for the money currently on deposit plus a matching bonus FCC that can be used on any voyage until May 1, 2022.

The matching bonus FCC will not exceed the base cruise fare amount of the currently booked cruise and will have a minimum value of £100 per person.

President Jan Swartz said: “As the world is still preparing to resume travel, it is with much disappointment that we announce an extension of our pause of global ship operations and the cancellation of cruise holidays for our loyal guests.

“Among other disruptions, airlines have limited their flight availability and many popular cruise ports are closed.

“It saddens us to think about the impact on the livelihood of our teammates, business partners and the communities we visit.”

Royal Caribbean boss says numbers ‘likely to be restricted’ when cruising restarts

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Anthem of the Seas: Wired, weird future of cruises | CNN Travel

Cruise ships are likely to be restricted to carrying fewer guests to allow for “more natural space” when cruising first re-starts after the Covid-19 pandemic, according to the boss of Royal Caribbean UK.

Speaking at the line’s first ‘Café Royal’ webinar for trade partners, vice president EMEA Ben Bouldin said that as well as enforced reduced load factors, cruise lines are also anticipating more automation at check-in, increased screening and enhanced medical facilities and capacity on board.

He said lines were also looking at new procedures to disembark guests quickly from ships in the event of a future Covid-19 outbreak and said social distancing measures in dining rooms and around the pool decks are all likely for post-pandemic cruising.

“Until there’s a vaccine, we’re trying to understand what the new normal is. Things will be really different. Be reassured we are looking at absolutely everything,” Bouldin said.

“It’s incredibly complex. We have to get the right balance of accommodating changes to make sure everyone is safe, while not undermining our guests’ enjoyment of their holiday.”

Bouldin added that there had been confirmation from Clia in the US that a medical letter would not be required to travel and he said that he did not expect to have to give mature travellers any special treatment. He also hopes the line would continue to be able to support guests with disabilities.

“We are not expecting to have to treat people over 70 any differently. We are confident we have the ability to look after them,” said Bouldin.

“And we hope to be able to support guests with all sorts of disabilities. Our intention is absolutely to remain an inclusive holiday experience.”

Bouldin said the line was preparing to “shout loud and proud” about its health and safety protocols when it returns to service and said the re-introduction of ships into the market would be “staggered” to allow it to complete the “mammoth task” of getting crew in the right places.