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

Posted on 1 May, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

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.

Eight Cruise Ships Being Prepped to Bring Crew Home

Posted on 21 April, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Eight different ships from the Holland America Line Group, part of Carnival Corporation, are being readied to get crew home in repatriation efforts, according to a letter sent to crew onboard.

The effort will see ships from the Princess, Holland America and Seabourn brands sail repatriation voyages globally to get crew home.

Port stops, timing and transfer of crew between ships are still being worked on.

The Plan

The Regal Princess will sail to Southampton and Rotterdam to bring European crew home.
The Crown Princess will sail to Asia to repatriate crew from the Philippines, Indonesia, India and South Africa.
The Island Princess will sail to Asia to repatriate crew from the Philippines, Indonesia, India and South Africa.
The Veendam, Volendam and Nieuw Amsterdam will also head to Asia to repatriate all Holland America crew from the Philippines, Indonesia, India and South Africa.
The Caribbean Princess is heading to the Caribbean and then South America.
Finally, the Seabourn Quest will head to Europe, bringing home Seabourn crew from the Quest and Odyssey.

Fred Olsen chief appeals to government to support cruise lines

Posted on 31 March, 2020 by Spacejunkie2

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines also known as 'Fred. Olsen', 'Fred. Olsen ...

The boss of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines has called on the government to provide more support for the cruise industry.

With cruise operations suspended until May 23 during the coronavirus pandemic, the UK-based cruise line has been forced to dock its four ships.

Peter Deer, Fred Olsen’s managing director, praised the government for the schemes it had introduced to ease cash flow constraints on companies across the country but appealed for further help to be extended to the cruise sector.

UK chancellor Rishi Sunak said the government was prepared to enter negotiations with individual airlines to discuss “bespoke support as a last resort” last week.

Speaking to Travel Weekly, Deer said: “As a cruise line you hear quite a lot about the airline industry receiving funding from the government. We’re quite a passive bunch. I suspect our margins are better but lining up ships is not a cheap thing to do.

“The government needs to recognise that cruise is a big part of travel in the UK and find ways to support it.”

He called for lobbying from “every angle”, adding: “This is a hairy time for every cruise line, particularly the ones that have brought in new tonnage. It makes your life a bit tougher.”

In Fred Olsen’s 2021-22 brochure, the line offers departures from five UK ports – Southampton, Newcastle, Dover, Liverpool and Edinburgh.

Fred Olsen Cruises Ocean cruises cruise line review - Which?

Deer outlined how food, fuel and other services are bought by Fred Olsen from UK businesses.

Deer added: “We are worth a huge amount to the UK market. When we talk about a holiday environment, money is spent on that destination but with a cruise line that money is spent on a ship.

“It would be great to see some positive spin from the government.”

Asked if Fred Olsen was preparing for a “bounce back” in terms of consumer demand later this year, Deer said: “I think at some point we will see it, but it is all about consumer confidence. People do not have the will to think about their holiday in the short-term.

“They do not know when this event is going to subside. Everyone wants to go on holiday but they need some confidence that the virus is going to disappear.”

Deer said that it was “too early” for targeted marketing but added that the business was still trying to remain at the forefront of customers’ minds.

“We are just talking about our company and what we are doing,” he said. “It is a broader approach.

“People will see if cruises go-ahead before they commit their money.

“People may not do long-haul fly-cruises. They may look to the Mediterranean or the Canaries. I think people just do not know.”