Cunard reports busiest booking day for decade in UK

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 01 April 2021 01 April 2021

Cunard, the premium to luxury market unit in  the Carnival Corporation & plc group, has reported its busiest day of bookings in the UK for a decade as its programme of domestic cruises went for sale.

Cunard president Simon Palethorpe said in a statement: “Guests are showing that their desire to travel with Cunard is stronger than ever as they seek a slice of luxury and exemplary service. This record-breaking day follows a phenomenal response to our Centenary World Voyages, on board Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria in 2023, which went on sale a few weeks ago.”

“In perhaps an indication that guests are upgrading having not travelled for a while, suites on board these voyages pretty well sold-out at the end of the first day of sales, with only one top suite remaining. We are delighted by this response from guests and particular thanks to all of our agent partners for their continued work supporting guest bookings,” he said

Cunard’s Summer at Sea voyages on board Queen Elizabeth, sailing between July and October 2021, comprise of scenic cruises along the UK coastline, voyages that include ports of call around Britain or those that simply sail to wherever the sun shines brightest. All are round-trip from Southampton.

British Isles Voyages include scenic sailings along Britain’s coastline including The Jurassic Coast, England’s only natural UNESCO world heritage site, Cornwall including Land’s End and Scotland including the Isle of Arran, Mull of Kintyre and Sound of Mull. Four voyages will make various port calls, including Liverpool, Greenock, Invergordon, Belfast, Newcastle as well as a maiden call for Cunard’s fleet to the Welsh port of Holyhead.

Storylines to build its residential ship at Brodosplit

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 31 March 2021 31 March 2021

Storylines confirmed the agreement to construct the residential ship Narrative with Brodosplit, Croatia today. Engineering has commenced with the first steel cutting expected next year. “The ship building industry was hit particularly hard by the Covid-19 pandemic and industry-wide delays and cancellations have been inevitable,” said Storylines founder and co-CEO Alister Punton. “However, there has been a silver lining with having had a few extra months to adapt to changing Covid-related regulations and to include some additional features that our residents requested such as additional work spaces,” he continued.

The pandemic has also resulted in a high demand in recent months of remote workers and families now having the flexibility to reinvent the way they work, live and learn.

Shannon Lee, Storylines founder and co-CEO added, “Working with Brodosplit helps us achieve our founding principles and sustainability goals as their area of expertise includes LNG engine manufacturing. We’re thrilled to finally be able to release the shipyard agreement for the construction of our new LNG powered ship and we would like to thank our residents for their support to get to this very exciting point,” he continued.

“We’re thrilled to finally be able to announce the shipyard for the construction of our new LNG powered residential ship,” said Storylines founders Shannon Lee and Alister Punton.

The ship features fully furnished residences ranging from 237 sq. ft. to 2411 sq. ft., priced from $300,000 to more than $8 million for a premium two-level penthouse suite. Owners and invited guests will have the opportunity to live a sustainable life of luxury and freedom while at sea. Owners have the option to make their unit available through the Storylines rental program.

Positioned as the greenest ship in the market, Storylines Narrative utilizes LNG fuel along with innovative reusable energy technologies and energy storage and recovery systems. The ship also includes a waterfront marina, microbrewery, art studio, hydroponic gardens, and more.

Anthem of the Seas joins UK domestic cruise rush

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 31 March 2021 31 March 2021

 

Royal Caribbean International will operate Anthem of the Seas on the UK domestic cruise market this summer, making it the latest vessel to join the rapidly expending range of ships catering for this market.

The ship will operate a series of cruises of five to eight nights from Southampton, including calls at sports such as Belfast, Liverpool and Kirkwall. The first cruise will sail on 15 July.

Royal Caribbean International said in a statement that it would make 999 cabins available free to key workers in health and social care plus the armed forces in recognition of their efforts to combat the Covid-19 pandemic. The number to dial emergency services in the UK is 999.

The cruises would be available only to fully vaccinated UK residents and the crew would be fully vaccinated as well, the company said.

Royal Caribbean International is bringing Anthem of the Seas back to the UK this summer to run domestic cruises.

The line is making 999 cabins available free to NHS, social care sector and armed forces workers in recognition of efforts of the emergency services in tackling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Windstar Cruises to require Covid-19 vaccination to sail

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 30 March 2021 30 March 2021

Until further notice, Windstar Cruises will require proof of a current Covid-19 vaccination for all guests sailing aboard Windstar’s yachts. The cruise line arrived at the decision in the best health and wellness interests of its guests, crew, and the places the yachts visit. Many Windstar destinations and some airlines have announced or are considering vaccine mandates, providing further support for the new Windstar policy. Windstar is a leader in small-ship cruising with six, boutique all-suite and sailing yachts (carrying fewer than 350 guests each) that access the smaller ports, waterways, and destinations the large cruise ships cannot.

“Looking at the science behind the virus, we see consistent recommendations for wearing masks, social distancing, testing, and enhanced cleaning. In response, Windstar developed a new Beyond Ordinary Care program, which is a multi-layered strategy with key hospital-grade elements: HEPA filters and UV-C germicidal irradiation to filter and disinfect the air, plus backpack sprayers to sanitize all surfaces throughout our yachts,” said Andrew Todd, CEO, Windstar and parent company Xanterra Travel Collection.

“Vaccination is another layer of safety for all of us, and it’s the responsible course of action as our yachts resume cruising and our guests travel the world,” said Christopher Prelog, President of Windstar Cruises.

Current government and news reports about increased vaccine availability in the United States and abroad give Windstar confidence that guests who wish to sail with the line will have time to be vaccinated before travel. Crew members will be required to be vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available to them. This Windstar standard is subject to change as CDC guidelines change. Windstar will periodically review this and all other Covid-19 policies for updates as the pandemic evolves.

Windstar will restart operations in June 2021 in a phased manner, with initial cruises at a reduced guest occupancy, some modified itineraries, and with enhanced health and safety protocols. To provide guests with greater flexibility, Windstar has moved the final payment date from 120 days to 60 days prior to cruise departure.

The timeline for resumption of operations is:

Star Breeze – June 19, 2021 – Caribbean
Wind Star – June 19, 2021 – Mediterranean
Wind Spirit – July 15, 2021 – Tahiti
Wind Surf – August 8, 2021 – Mediterranean
Star Legend – Sept 4, 2021 – Northern Europe
Star Pride – November 3, 2021 – Caribbean

At the cruise terminal prior to embarkation, guests will be required to provide proof of a completed current vaccine course (one or two shots, depending on the brand) finished at least 14 days prior to the guest’s embarkation date. Negative Covid-19 test results will also be required prior to embarkation.