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Where will Norwegian's newest ship to sail?

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

Following a string of inaugural cruises and beginning August 2022, Norwegian Prima will be the newest ship embarking in Northern Europe. From Aug. 17 to Sept. 13, 2022, she will sail a series of 8-night voyages from Amsterdam, Netherlands, and Copenhagen, Denmark, offering guests the opportunity to explore the continent's Northern Europe, Norwegian Fjords and Baltic regions.

On Sept. 23, Norwegian Prima will depart Southampton, England, on a 12-night transatlantic voyage visiting Lerwick, Scotland with an overnight in Reykjavik, Iceland, before arriving in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and ending her journey in New York to commence a 5-night roundtrip itinerary on Oct. 10 to Bermuda, where it will make her debut as the newest ship sailing the fall and winter season. On Oct. 15, Prima will depart from New York on a 12-night open-jaw immersive Caribbean itinerary where she will be the newest ship in the region and for the first time ever for NCL, the vessel will visit Galveston, TX. She will have calls to Willemstad, Curacao; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Oranjestad, Aruba, with all visits featuring between nine and 10 in-port hours. On Oct. 31, Norwegian Prima will kickstart her Caribbean season departing from Galveston, TX, to Miami on an 11-night itinerary with visits to Willemstad, Curacao; Kralendijk, Bonaire, and the Company's recently enhanced private island Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas. From Nov. 19 to Dec. 3, Norwegian Prima will sail from Miami offering three, 7-night Western Caribbean cruises visiting Harvest Caye, the Company's private resort destination in Belize, in addition to other notable ports including Cozumel, Mexico, and Roatan Island, Honduras.

From Dec. 11, 2022, to March 19, 2023, Norwegian Prima will homeport in Orlando, Fla. (Port Canaveral), sailing 15 roundtrip Western Caribbean voyages featuring five, seven, and nine-night port-rich itineraries visiting notable destinations, including Cozumel, Mexico; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and NCL's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, in the Bahamas.

Starting March 28 to May 7, Norwegian Prima will sail a mini-season of 5 and mostly 7-night roundtrip Bermuda voyages from New York. She will call at Norfolk, Virginia – the gateway to Virginia Beach and the historic area of Colonial Williamsburg. The vessel will also sail to the Royal Naval Dockyard in Bermuda, where itineraries include one or two overnight stays at the Royal Naval Dockyard to allow flexibility for guests to explore its shops, restaurants and pristine beaches on their own time.

On May 14, Norwegian Prima heads back to Iceland and Northern Europe, departing on an 11-day transatlantic journey from New York City to Reykjavik, Iceland, visiting Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia, before making calls to several immersive Icelandic ports, including Akureyri, which resides on the longest fjord in Iceland and Isafjordur, where guests can take in Icelandic Viking history and unspoiled natural marvels. The voyage culminates in Reykjavik with an overnight stay, where guests can partake in the cosmopolitan experiences of Iceland's capital and largest city featuring contemporary art, a growing culinary scene and thriving music culture while also maintaining a connection to the great outdoors with geothermal springs and whale watching activities.

From May 25 to Sept. 7, Norwegian Prima's summer 2023 season will offer a mix of 10 and 11-day Norway and Iceland sailings from Reykjavik, Iceland, and Southampton, England, featuring extensive port time between nine and 14 in-port hours to offer guests an immersive experience. Throughout her voyage, guests will have the unique opportunity to cruise through the remarkable Heritage Fjords, a UNESCO World Heritage site, where Norwegian Prima will be one of the few ships that meet the criteria to sail in these environmentally protected waters. Other bucket-list worthy destinations include a call to Geiranger, Norway, featuring 14 hours in port where guests can visit Norway's most famous fjord, Geiranger Fjord, an awe-inspiring deep blue UNESCO protected nine-mile fjord surrounded by majestic, snow-covered mountain peaks, wild waterfalls and lush vegetation. The world famous Seven Sisters and The Bridal Veil waterfalls are just two of the numerous cascades that run down the steep mountainside throughout Geiranger Fjord. Norwegian Prima will also call to Olden, Norway, and feature 10-hours in port with access to the jaw-dropping Briksdal Glacier, a branch of the famous Jostedal Glacier, where guests can partake in once-in-a-lifetime hikes and nature trails.

On Sept. 17, Norwegian Prima concludes her summer 2023 season with a 14-night roundtrip voyage from Southampton, England, featuring between seven and 10 in-port hours with notable calls to Dublin, Ireland; Isafjordur and Akureyri, Iceland, with an overnight in Reykjavik; and visits to Geiranger, Olden, and Stavanger, Norway.

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/