Virtuoso welcomes Explora Journeys as its first preview cruise line

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 05 August 2021 05 August 2021

New luxury cruise line Explora Journeys has been accepted into Virtuoso’s exclusive portfolio of travel partners, comprising more than 2,000 preferred suppliers in 100 countries. Launching its first of four new ships in 2023 that utilize state-of-the-art technology and an innovative approach to responsible maritime travel, Explora Journeys is the first cruise line to be invited into Virtuoso’s Preview program. As part of Preview, Explora Journeys has partnered with the network and its advisors during the crucial launch phase, receiving guidance from the industry’s most professional and influential travel advisors, as well as a head start on bookings. Virtuoso agencies worldwide sell an average of (U.S.) $25–$30 billion annually, making the network the most significant player in luxury travel.

“We are excited to name Explora Journeys as our first Preview cruise line,” said Matthew D. Upchurch, Chairman and CEO of Virtuoso. “What Explora is doing in terms of responsible tourism aligns with our own ethos of travel as a force for good. And, coming out of the gate with such an innovative compensation model shows their strong support of travel advisors. Welcoming Explora into the Virtuoso network prior to their first ship launching is a testament to our faith in this company, their leadership, and their product.”

Explora Journeys joins Virtuoso’s collection of the finest travel entities worldwide. These partners, which specialize in world-class client service and experiences, provide superior offerings, rare opportunities and exceptional value for Virtuoso clients. These prestigious providers are able to market to Virtuoso clients via network vehicles and to Virtuoso agencies through multiple communications channels and events, including Virtuoso Travel Week, luxury travel’s largest worldwide gathering. Explora Journeys’ acceptance into Virtuoso gives it direct relationships with the world’s leading leisure travel agencies in North and Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa and the Middle East.

“We are immensely honored and excited about the opportunity to partner with Virtuoso, which is a testament to our commercial strategy,” said Michael Ungerer, CEO of Explora Journeys. “Building a brand that will redefine the cruise experience has been a long-held dream of our Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, his wife Alexa and the Aponte family and, I am truly honored the family asked me to build and lead this new luxury travel brand. Through a significant investment in research, including luxury roundtables, surveys and focus groups, we have created a customer-centric brand that will exceed the expectations of discerning luxury travelers looking for sustainable and responsible travel. We therefore feel very privileged to be starting our journey with Virtuoso, and on behalf of the entire Explora Journeys team, we look forward to a mutually beneficial and respected strategic partnership for the long term.”

Explora Journeys will cater to travelers seeking authentic connections whilst making conscious choices. These explorers are curious and sophisticated, demanding anticipatory service and unparalleled destination experiences, making them ideal clients for Virtuoso’s elite member advisors.

“We are totally committed to our partnership with Virtuoso. The travel advisor community has been at the core of everything we do, and they remain a vital part of our future,” said Chris Austin, Chief Sales Officer of Explora Journeys. “Our relationship with Virtuoso is based on long-held respect and commitment, and our new partnership provides all global Virtuoso member agencies with a compelling new brand, stunning ships and guest experience designed with purpose, and a portfolio of commercial policies to ensure doing business with us is joyful. We are so looking forward to engaging proactively with Virtuoso members for many years to come.”

This commitment to the travel advisor community is evident in the launch of Explora Journeys’ “By Appointment Service,” which allows travel advisors the exclusive ability to wait-list a suite, with no obligation, for any of the cruise line’s inaugural collection of journeys.

“This service adds value for travel advisors, as they can take our new brand story to their clients and place a waitlist request, prior to our public open for sale later this fall,” said Austin.

In addition to generous commissions, no NCF’s, commission paid on optional add-ons, and easy move-and-change policies, travel advisors will have access to a robust experience center that delivers the best in-class e-learning and performance and marketing suites.

“Explora Journeys is the perfect cruise line to welcome into our Preview program,” said Beth Butzlaff, vice president of Global Partner Relations. “Their commitment to the travel advisors, and Virtuoso members in particular, shows how much they value the advisor-client relationship that serves as the cornerstone of the Virtuoso network. We look forward to partnering with Explora to help establish a solid customer base prior to their inaugural sailing and are pleased to work with them through this crucial launch period.”

Carnival Cruise Line to implement new mask guidelines for all guests and pre-cruise testing requirements for vaccinated guests

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 05 August 2021 05 August 2021

As it continues with its successful restart of guest operations, Carnival Cruise Line is adapting to the evolving public health situation by advising booked guests of temporary changes in onboard mask and pre-cruise testing requirements.

Carnival will continue to operate with vaccinated cruises as defined by the CDC, including having its crew fully vaccinated. However, in an abundance of caution, and following the lead of similar sectors and venues – including Nevada casinos, Disney theme parks, and Broadway theaters – all guests will be asked to wear masks in certain indoor areas of Carnival’s ships. This new policy goes into effect with all cruises that depart on or after Saturday, Aug. 7, through Oct. 31, 2021.

In addition, Carnival has added a pre-cruise testing requirement for all vaccinated guests. Effective with cruises departing on Saturday, Aug. 14 through Oct. 31, 2021, all fully vaccinated guests must show proof of a negative COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) taken within three days of their embarkation. Testing in the terminal will not be available. Vaccinated guests are required to come with their negative test results and proof of vaccination for boarding.

Guests who are unvaccinated will continue to follow the requirements previously communicated which includes pre-cruise PCR testing, testing prior to boarding, and testing within 24 hours of debarkation on cruises of five days or longer. Unvaccinated guests approved for an exemption are charged $150 for testing and health screening costs. For cruises departing from Florida and Texas, unvaccinated guests are also required to show proof of insurance.

“These new requirements are being implemented to protect our guests and crew while on board, and to continue to provide confidence to our homeports and destinations that we are doing our part to support their efforts to protect public health and safety,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We expect these requirements will be temporary and appreciate the cooperation of our guests. Our first month of guest operations has been met with tremendous enthusiasm and very positive guest feedback, and we are committed to continue our restart with both fun and safety in mind.”

Duffy said Carnival will continue to make information available on its Have Fun. Be Safe. page on Carnival.com. She also expressed appreciation to travel advisors and public officials who continue to work closely with the company to support the line’s restart.

Cruise ships seen to return into service at brisk pace

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 04 August 2021 04 August 2021

Two leading cruise shipping groups and a leading cruise ship builder have recently commented on the return into service of ships.

Royal Caribbean Group that has 60 ships in its fleet that comprises five brands, said earlier today that it expects to have 80% of its capacity in service by the end of the year.

A few weeks ago, Carnival Corporation & plc, the largest cruise shipping group in the world with 87 ships, said that 75% of its capacity would be in service at the end of this year.

Meanwhile, the Italian shipbuilding group Fincantieri estimated in its first half 2021 interim report that 141 ships would have resumed service by the end of July.

The global cruise fleet numbered 423 ships at the end of 2020, according to Statista.com.

Royal Caribbean Group expects to have 80% of capacity in service by year end

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 04 August 2021 04 August 2021

Royal Caribbean Group, the Miami based company that is the world’s second largest cruise shipping group, expects to have 80% of its capacity back in service at the year end. Although bookings are developing well, the company said it has noticed an impact of the Delta variant of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The group is currently operating 29 ships across its five brands, representing 42% of capacity. By the end of this month, it expects to be operating 36 ships, representing over 60% of its capacity. “The Company anticipates having 80% of its capacity in service by end of year 2021,” it said in a statement.

“Overall, the booking activity for 2021 sailings is consistent with the Company's expected capacity and occupancy ramp up, at prices that are higher than 2019.  While it's too early to make any definitive conclusions of the impact of the Delta variant on bookings, the company has seen a modest impact on closer-in bookings,” Royal Caribbean Group said, adding that bookings for 2022 remained strong.

Overall booking volumes have improved, and pricing remains strong. “During the second quarter the Company received about 50% more new bookings compared to the first quarter with trends improving from one month to the next,” the company said.

By June, it was receiving about 90% more bookings each week when compared to the first quarter with improvements of a similar magnitude for both 2021 and 2022 sailings.

"The surge in bookings has been extremely encouraging especially for 2022 and beyond," said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO. "The return of cruising has been faster than anyone expected, and we are excited to gradually restart our presence in our key markets. We are watching the impact of the Delta variant and other likely variants, but overall, we remain optimistic in our mounting trajectory going forward. People also book their cruises long in advance, so we are concentrating on maintaining our price levels while growing our load factors," he stated

At the end of June, the company had approximately $2.4 billion in customer deposits, which has increased by $530 million from March 31, 2021. Approximately 40% of the customer deposit balance is related to FCCs, this has dropped from 45% in the prior quarter, which is a positive trend, indicating net new demand, Royal Caribbean Group said.