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Alaska Tourism Restoration Act passes the Senate

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 May 2021 14 May 2021

Yesterday the U.S. Senate passed S. 593, the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act (ATRA), legislation sponsored by U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK). The bill provides a way for cruise ships to bring passengers to Alaska, despite the Canadian prohibition on passenger vessels traveling through Canadian waters en route to Alaska. It will give Alaskans, small business owners, and Alaska’s statewide economy an opportunity to have some semblance of a tourist season. Both Senators spoke on the Senate floor right after the legislation passed to urge the House to swiftly pass the bill in order to prevent Alaskan communities from losing out on another tourism season. U.S. Congressman Don Young (R-AK) introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.

This legislation comes in response to Canada’s Interim Order No. 5 Respecting Passenger Vessel Restrictions Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) which bans pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022. The ATRA works to provide economic opportunity for communities who rely on tourism by temporarily alleviating Passenger Vessel Services Act (PVSA) restrictions – for as long as the Canadian ban is in place – for large cruise ships transporting passengers between the State of Washington and the State of Alaska. The fix is essential to allowing cruise ships to sail to Alaska without requiring they stop in Canada, as U.S. law would normally require.

“The Alaska Delegation has been working every angle to help find a path forward for struggling Alaskans who rely on the tourism industry. Senate passage of my legislation sends a strong signal that we will not stand idly by, withering on the vine, until another country catches up to our level of readiness. This shows that the health and restoration of our economy cannot be held up by Canada, especially since Alaska has led with vaccinations in the country and our communities are ready to welcome visitors back,” said Senator Murkowski. “Unanimous agreement in the Senate on this bill provides certainty and opportunity for cruise companies to resume sailing to Alaska, as they have for so many years – and more importantly, helps safeguard the livelihoods of Alaskan-owned small businesses, and entire communities, that serve these cruise passengers. I thank Senators Cantwell, Wicker, Blumenthal, and Lee for coming to the table and working with us on a path forward and all my Senate colleagues for recognizing the urgency of this situation for Alaskans. Our hope is that the House will now promptly follow suit.”

“I want to thank Senator Murkowski for her work and my colleagues in the Senate for coming together today to give the thousands of Alaskans in the tourism sector a fighting chance at salvaging our 2021 summer cruise ship season,” said Senator Sullivan. “The passage of the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act today is an example of the U.S. Senate working at its best. This is an important step forward, but we still have more work to do. Congressman Don Young, the dean of the House and a great advocate for Alaska, will be working with his colleagues to quickly get the Alaska Tourism Restoration Act through the House. And, we’re continuing to work around the clock with CDC leaders to finally issue workable guidance that allows the cruise lines and coastal communities to safely welcome visitors again. Given the CDC’s much-awaited loosening of mask guidelines today for vaccinated Americans, I am hopeful we will see progress on this front as well.”

TUI Cruises returns to cruise service in Greece

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 May 2021 13 May 2021

TUI Cruises and its Mein Schiff 5 is resuming operations after a break of over a year and setting off on one-week cruises from and to Crete. The around 1,000 guests on the first trip are going on board today, and the ship will depart tomorrow at 9.00 am. “We’ve had to wait a long time for this moment, but now the time has come: The first departure of Mein Schiff 5 is scheduled for tomorrow. When we hear the ship’s horn and our departure theme for the first time again, it will be an emotional moment not only for our guests but also for the crew.” said Wybcke Meier, CEO of TUI Cruises, is certain. On the first trip, the ship will call at Rhodes, Piraeus/Athens and Souda/Crete.

‘’We are certain that all passengers will once again enjoy our unique Greek destinations and we are very happy to have assisted in this ReStart process’’ Harry Theoharis, Greek Minister of Tourism. TUI Cruises already offered cruises around the Greek islands last September, at that time on Mein Schiff 6, and also made shore excursions possible again for the first time. On the current cruises around Greece too, guests can go on excursions arranged or organised by TUI Cruises.

New UK company Ambassador Cruise Line to set sail with ex CMV top team in charge

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 May 2021 13 May 2021

Ambassador Cruise Line, a new UK company that has been founded by senior management of Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) that collapsed last yean, plans to start operations in April 2022 with a ship that had been intended to sail for CMV.

The company, which will be headquartered in Purfleet, east of London, where CMV also has its head office, has acquired the former Pacific Dawn of P&O Cruises Australia that will be introduced as Ambiance, CEO Chrisian Verhounig said in a video interview on Travel Weekly. Several other people that helped senior positions at CMV will be in the top team at Ambassador cruise Line.

The 70,285 gross ton ship was built in 1991 as Regal Princess for Princess Cruises. It then sailed as Pacific Dawn for 13 years up to 2020, when it was due to enter service with CMV as Amy Johnson.

Following the collapse of CMV, the ship was sold to become a floating community outside the coast of Panama, but this scheme also collapsed. The ship was then reported as sold for scrap before news emerged that it had been acquired by at the time undisclosed European operator.

Verhounig said in the interview that the ship would be renamed Ambiance and it would undergo an extensive refit so that it would meet e.g. air pollution and ballast water treatment rules that are to enter force in the next few years.

Capacity would be limited to 1,400 passengers, which would mean that the ship’s space ratio of 50 would be comparable to ships that operate in the luxury market segment.

Ambiance would cater for the 50 plus market in the UK and the ship would be based at Tilbury, near London. All cruises of the line would operate from that port and no fly cruises would be offered.

Ambiance is scheduled to sail to destinations in Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, Canaries, Cape Verde, and the Caribbean. The first cruise of the line would be a four night cruise to Hamburg, which is due to commence on 6 April 2022.

American Queen Steamboat Company seeks to hire more than 200 officers and crew members

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 May 2021 12 May 2021

American Queen Steamboat Company, part of the Hornblower Group, is currently hiring more than 200 officers and crew members nationwide over the next 60 days. The U.S.-flagged cruise line is re-launching the American Empress in the Pacific Northwest on June 14 for a nearly sold-out season, and the American Queen will return to service on the Mississippi and Ohio rivers later this summer, dependent on CDC guidance. The American Empress and American Queen will join the American Duchess and brand-new American Countess, which have operated sailings under SafeCruise protocols since March 2021.

“As we resume operations across our entire fleet, we are seeking dedicated and hardworking shipboard team members with a love for exploration to support our phased restart and continue to establish American Queen Steamboat Company as an industry leader and ally to the communities we visit,” shares John Waggoner, chairman of American Queen Steamboat Company. “I have always had a passion for American rivers and am grateful for the opportunity to deliver authentic hospitality on these storied waterways. As we welcome new faces to our family of hospitality leaders and mariners, I look forward to sharing our vision of providing uniquely American river cruises.”

A wide-range of onboard, hotel positions are available. Back of house roles start at $125 per day and include galley and housekeeping cleaners and other entry level positions. Other hotel roles such as front desk, F&B servers, waiters, bar staff, pastry, sous chef and executive chef level including hotel management roles, range from $180 – $450 per day. Career progression is encouraged and many of the existing senior team onboard have been developed from within the hotel ranks.

Licensed marine roles including mates, engineering positions, pilot and watchmen can receive between $250 to $800 per day. All positions on American Queen Steamboat Company riverboats include room and board, healthcare, and travel to and from the boat within the continental United States. American Queen Steamboat Company was the first U.S. based cruise line to mandate guest and crew vaccination. All teammates must be eligible for employment in the U.S. and have received an FDA approved Covid-19 vaccine. The crew and guest vaccination mandate begins for the American Empress’ June 14 restart, as well as fleetwide sailings beginning July 1, 2021.

American Queen Steamboat Company is committed to providing an equal opportunity to all job seekers through the online application process. To view available positions, visit https://www.americanqueensteamboatcompany.com/careers/

Azamara unveils 'Explore Well at Sea' programme before restart

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 May 2021 12 May 2021

Azamara, the boutique cruise line that describes itself as dedicated to Destination Immersion® experiences, has unveiled its ‘Explore Well at Sea’ programme ahead of the line’s return to service in August.

“Through Azamara’s commitment to wellness, the cruise line is implementing new standards with the launch of its ‘Explore Well at Sea’ program to enhance the onboard experience, keeping guests’ safety and peace of mind a top priority,” the company said in a statement

“With the guidance of the Healthy Sail Panel – a group of the best minds and leaders in public health, biosecurity, epidemiology, hospitality and maritime operations – travelers can expect advanced screening protocols such as fully vaccinated crew and guests, enhanced sanitation measures, and enhanced medical services,” Azamara said.

The company will continue to evaluate these protocols and update them as public health standards and the global situation evolves. Booked guests and travel partners will be advised of the latest requirements prior to voyage departure.

“Since we suspended our sailings over a year ago, we’ve had time to develop a strong restart plan and build on our existing health and safety protocols to ensure peace of mind for guests and crew, especially when it comes to traveling within our new world,” said President of Azamara, Carol Cabezas.

“Cruising is one of the safest places to travel, which is attributed to all the enhanced protocols set in place, and we are extremely fortunate to be guided by the Healthy Sail Panel for a healthy return to service in Greece beginning on August 28, with five back-to-back Country-Intensive Voyages and one classic Mediterranean sailing,” she noted.

‘Explore Well at Sea’ Program Highlights:

Testing & Screening: All guests will be required to be fully vaccinated two weeks prior to sailing, as an added layer of protection to keep guests and crew safe, in addition to providing a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result. Once aboard, complimentary COVID-19 testing and medical evaluations will be available.

Air Filtration: With new HVAC filtration systems, the air indoors aboard each of Azamara’s ships is comparable to the fresh sea air. This advanced filtration system takes in fresh sea air and moves it through a two-stage filter, plus copper coils, to eliminate 99.99% of germs, making the transmission of aerosol particles between spaces extremely low to virtually impossible.

Cleaning Protocols: Advanced cleaning protocols and guidelines approved by the CDC and recommended by the Healthy Sail Panel will be followed. Every nook of the ships, from bow to stern, will be regularly cleaned and sanitized. New standards include enhanced team member training, use of EPA-certified disinfectants, and techniques like electrostatic spraying.

Medical Capabilities: An enhanced medical facility will be found on board each Azamara vessel, with more equipment, a dedicated infectious control officer, and new isolation staterooms to provide comfortable and complimentary care. New agreements will be in place with local governments, hospitals and transportation partners to ensure guests a safe return home.