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American Queen Steamboat Company becomes only fully vaccinated U.S. river cruise line

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 July 2021 01 July 2021

American Queen Steamboat Company, part of the Hornblower Group, announces guests will no longer be required to wear masks on board or receive pre-cruise testing and can once again enjoy unrestricted hop-on hop off shore excursions beginning with all Mississippi, Ohio and Cumberland river sailings embarking after today. This policy update is a result of the cruise line’s vaccination requirement for both guests and crew, first announced in February 2021, making American Queen Steamboat Company the first and only fully vaccinated U.S. river cruise line. To celebrate this significant milestone, the company is rolling out the FREEDOM sale, a bonus savings of up to $2,000 on select 2022 bookings made by August 31, 2021.

“I want to thank our tireless crew, loyal guests, valued travel advisors and supportive port partners for their efforts as we have navigated this unique time in travel together,” shares Shawn Bierdz, president, American Queen Steamboat Company. “Thanks to their unwavering commitment, we have been able to evolve our policies to further deliver an authentic river cruise experience without confusing restrictions.”

The brand-new American Countess and boutique riverboat American Duchess began sailing in March under SafeCruise protocols, calling on ports including New Orleans, Memphis, Louisville, and Pittsburgh. The American Empress, sailing the Pacific Northwest on the Columbia and Snake rivers, welcomed her first guests as the first 100% vaccinated U.S. riverboat on June 14. American Empress guests will continue to participate in a PCR test at the pre-cruise hotel per Washington state guidelines.

“As we re-introduce our hop-on-hop off tours, it is exciting for guests to once again take in the cafés of Natchez, visit the antique shops of Cape Girardeau and stroll the Cincinnati waterfront ‘bubble-free’,” shares Kari Tarnowski, senior vice president of marketing, American Queen Steamboat Company. “We can now see guests’ smiles onboard and I encourage cruisers to take advantage of our FREEDOM sale to secure a 2022 sailing with these savings.”

In order to adhere to the 100% vaccination policy onboard, all guests must show proof of Covid-19 vaccination by uploading an image of their vaccination card prior to the pre-cruise hotel check-in. Guests who fail to provide proof will be denied boarding and subject to full cancellation penalties. Masks are no longer required onboard after embarkation, but a face covering must be worn during boarding and on shore excursion motorcoaches per CDC transportation guidelines.
The SafeCruise health and safety procedures will continue throughout the entire cruise experience, and feature pre-boarding, boarding and onboard processes to enhance health and safety. Guidance may change at any time without notice based on local regulations. For additional questions, please visit the American Queen Steamboat Company website for ongoing health and safety protocols.

The FREEDOM sale is also applicable to Victory Cruise Lines’ 2022 itineraries. Charting all-new routes in addition to returning favorites, Victory Cruise Lines guests will travel to some of North America’s most desirable destinations on immersive and educational itineraries. Guests who book by August 31, 2021, can maximize savings and enjoy up to $2,000 off per stateroom on select 2022 Victory Cruise Lines itineraries, including the Ocean Victory and its inaugural season in Alaska, as well as new itineraries to Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula and sailings along the U.S. southeastern seaboard.

Former Viking Sun becomes Zhao Shang Yidun for China joint venture

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 July 2021 01 July 2021

The former Viking Sun of Viking has been renamed Zhao Shang Yidun as the 2017 built ship prepares to enter service in the Chinese market for a joint venture set up by Viking and China Merchants Group.

The vessel’s new name translates to China Merchants Eden and it was renamed by China Merchants Group Director Duan Xianghui. After the ceremony, the guests were invited to tour the cruise ship before it began its first coastal cruise. According to China Merchants, the event “marked the beginning of a new era for China’s cruise industry.”

China Merchants Eden becomes the first five-star luxury cruise ship solely dedicated to the Chinese market and marks China Merchants enter into the cruise industry. The 745-foot-long ship has accommodations for 930 passengers in 465 all-verandah staterooms. China Merchants said that it would add Chinese elements to the vessel while maintaining its Nordic design and decor.

The cruise ship will use Shenzhen as its homeport to launch a coastal route centered on the experience of domestic tourist destinations. The company said it plans to provide in-depth cultural tours for domestic tourists who have a strong interest in nature, history, folk customs, and food culture. While the focus is similar to the marketing for Viking’s cruises, China Merchants emphasized that the cruise ship will be independently operated and managed by China.

Princess Cruises cancels Australian cruises up to December 19

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 July 2021 01 July 2021

Due to continued uncertainty regarding the timing for the resumption of cruise holidays in the region, Princess Cruises said it is cancelling cruises in and out of Australia through December 19, 2021.

“For guests booked on a cancelled cruise, Princess will move guests to an equivalent cruise in 2022. The rebooking process will have the added benefit of protecting the guests' 2021 fare on their replacement cruise,” the company said in a statement.

Alternatively, guests can choose a future cruise credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25 USD) or a full refund to the original form of payment.

Meanwhile, parent group Carnival Corporation & plc said that Carnival Corporation purchased 183,000 Carnival plc ordinary shares at a volume weighted average price paid of £16.41 per share, in accordance with an earlier announced programme. The highest price paid was £16.67 per share and the lowest price paid was £16.06 per share, Carnival said.

Vard delivers Hanseatic Spirit to Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 June 2021 29 June 2021

Vard, the Norway headquartered unit of Fincantieri group and one of the major global designers and builders of specialised vessels, delivered Hanseartic Spirit, the third ship and final unit in a series of luxury expedition cruise vessels for Hapag-Lloyd Kreuzfahrten, which is part of the TUI Cruises group

The ship has a gross tonnage of about 15,800 and it is 138 metres long and it follows Hanseatic Nature and Hanseatic Inspiration that both entered service in 2019.

The vessel, like the others of the series, mixes quality with environmental care alongside energy efficient hull design and technology, has accommodation for 230 passengers, Fincantieri said in a statement.

Celebrity Edge becomes first large cruise ship to sail from a U.S. port in 15 months

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 June 2021 28 June 2021

"Today marks the rebirth of our company and our industry, as our beautiful Celebrity Edge sets sail on a new-luxury experience that will – once again – feed peoples’ love of travel.” Those were the inspirational words tweeted from Celebrity Cruises’ President and CEO, Lisa Lutoff-Perlo on June 26, as the Celebrity Edge prepared to sail from Ft. Lauderdale at 6.00pm ET, becoming the first large cruise ship to sail from a U.S. port in more than a year.

What seems only fitting, now, 15 months after being at the helm of history for the first all-female bridge and officer team sailing in March 2020 and the last sailing before the industry was put on pause, Captain Kate McCue, the first and still only American female to captain a major cruise ship, now leads the fleet – and the industry – back into operation from Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades. The ship set sails for Mexico and the Bahamas.

Rarely has a 7-night cruise of the Caribbean come with such symbolism and hope, but there is no underestimating that this is an historic moment for the brand as it cruises back to normal. Celebrity Edge was given the green light - and the honor - to be the first ship back in the water, having met all new standards for providing a healthy and safe cruise experience for its guests and crew.

“This is a momentous sailing and one that we have been preparing for a long time. It’s not only a huge honor to be the first ship back in the water, leading the industry in the long-awaited return to U.S.-based cruising, it’s also an incredible achievement and testament to the tireless efforts of our shoreside team and onboard crew”, said Richard Fain, Chairman of the Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of Celebrity Cruises. “Travel is a powerful catalyst for positive change in our world. There’s nothing more enriching in life than exposing yourself to new cultures, sights, and experiences… and nothing more luxurious than doing it on board a Celebrity cruise ship,” he added. “All that’s left to say is welcome aboard.”

“The significance of this moment is not lost on anyone on our team or the industry. We have longed for this day, not only because it represents a return to service and doing what we love to do most, but because we know that for many the return of cruising is a symbol of the world’s return to normalcy,” said Brian Abel, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations for Celebrity Cruises. “For too long, we’ve had to encourage one another with dreams of ‘someday’ returning to being together, again. Now, as the world opens up, and we can gather and enjoy our families and friends on an amazing cruise vacation, ‘someday’ is here.”

“The week after our entire industry was grounded, last March, I started a #HopeFloats tradition of blowing the ship’s horn every evening to let the world know that not only were we safe, but we were thinking of those at home and hoping the same for them, said Captain McCue. “Now, the sound of a ship’s horn symbolizes rising above from any hardship. The entire crew is so happy to be back and we can’t wait to welcome our guests aboard!”

With Saturday’s sailing, eight of the 14 ships within the Celebrity Cruises’ fleet now have plans to return to sailing in 2021 and are ready to take guests to breathtaking destinations, from the Caribbean to Europe, Alaska and the Galapagos, including: