Royal Caribbean Group extends suspension of certain sailings while continuing its measured return based on science-backed protocols

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 08 April 2021 08 April 2021

Royal Caribbean Group announced today that it is extending the suspension of some sailings, including all sailings from the United States until June 30, while continuing its measured return to service with more sailings scheduled from different regions around the world.

“Safety is the first priority, and we know that cruising can be safe, as we have seen in Europe and Asia,” said Richard D. Fain, Royal Caribbean Group chairman and CEO. “The rising number of Americans who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19, layered on top of the rigorous health and safety measures we are implementing under the Healthy Sail Panel’s guidance, enables us to create a safe environment to take a cruise. We strongly believe that President Biden’s stated goal for society to reopen in time for Independence Day is a realistic goal.”

While we continue to work with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the United States and government authorities around the world, we have made the following adjustments to upcoming 2021 itineraries:

Royal Caribbean International

– Suspending sailings through June 30
– Excluding all ships which have recently announced many new homeports around the globe

Celebrity Cruises

– Suspending sailings through June 30
– Excluding all ships which have recently announced many new homeports around the globe

Silversea Cruises

– Suspending sailings through June 30
– Excluding Silver Moon, Silver Origin and Silver Explorer

The Group’s thoughtful return to sailing continues with announcements in the past 30 days of eight more ships that will be welcoming guests beginning in June with science-backed protocols, including vaccines.

Royal Caribbean International

– Adventure of the Seas will sail from new homeport Nassau, The Bahamas, on 7-night cruises that include Perfect Day at CocoCay beginning June 12.
– Vision of the Seas will sail from first-time homeport Bermuda on 7-night cruises that include Perfect Day at CocoCay beginning June 26.
– Jewel of the Seas will sail from its new homeport of Cyprus on 7-night cruises in the Greek islands beginning July 10.
– Anthem of the Seas will sail from Southampton, England, on 4-, 5- and 8-night cruise in the British Isles beginning July 7.

Celebrity Cruises

– Celebrity Silhouette will sail from Southampton, England, on 6- to 8- night cruises around Britain’s coastline beginning July 3.
– Celebrity Apex will make its debut from Athens with stops around the Mediterranean beginning June 19.
– Celebrity Millennium will sail from new homeport St. Maarten with stops in the Caribbean beginning June 5.

Silversea Cruises

– Silver Moon will sail from new homeport Athens, Greece, on 10-night cruises that include Israel and Cyprus beginning June 18.

These ships join Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas, which has been sailing safely in Singapore since December 2020, and Odyssey of the Seas, which, as previously announced, will begin sailing from Haifa, Israel, beginning on June 2.

Royal Caribbean Group continues to work with our Healthy Sail Panel of globally recognized scientific and medical experts to come back stronger, and we look forward to welcoming all of our guests back on board.

Silversea to return service in June

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 08 April 2021 08 April 2021

Silversea Cruises, the leading ultra-luxury cruise line, today announced protocol for its healthy return to service, as well as brand new voyages aboard Silver Moon from June.

In line with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations for safe international travel and in recognition of the importance of Covid-19 vaccinations in ensuring the safety of travellers, the cruise line will require all embarking crew and guests to have been fully vaccinated against Covid-19. The requirement will apply to all Silversea voyages globally, with the exclusion of sailings departing from Australia, for which protocol is still under evaluation.

Setting sail from June 18, Silver Moon – the cruise line’s new flagship – will welcome guests, departing on 10-day itineraries to the Eastern Mediterranean from Greece. Including calls in some of Greece’s most beautiful destinations, such as Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, and Crete, as well as Haifa (Israel) and Cyprus, the new round-trip itineraries will be unveiled and on general sale from April 15.

“Our guests share our excitement for our eagerly-anticipated healthy return to service. In recent months, we have seen the cruise industry resume responsibly in destinations around the world and we are delighted to announce these new inaugural sailings for our flagship,” says Roberto Martinoli, President and CEO of Silversea Cruises. “Vaccinations will play a critical role in ensuring the health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit, which we prioritise above all else. Paired with our science-backed onboard procedures, which leverage on the expertise of the Royal Caribbean Group’s Healthy Sail Panel, vaccinations will enable our guests to travel deep into the world once again, with a renewed sense of appreciation for our beautiful planet. Backed by the Royal Caribbean Group, we have introduced a range of initiatives—including our ‘Cruise with Confidence’ programme and our COVID-19 protections—to enable our guests to travel in superlative comfort and with unwavering confidence.”

Vaccinations will form part of a comprehensive, multi-layered set of science-backed protocol, which, informed and approved by the Royal Caribbean Group’s Healthy Sail Panel, will help to safeguard the health and safety of guests, crew, and visited communities. Silversea will continue to work closely with relevant governing bodies and health authorities to evolve its health and safety procedures, as new health recommendations are issued and as the fluid situation advances.

The protocol includes enhanced sanitation procedures, providing the highest standards of cleanliness in travel; increased air filtration to ensure the supply of fresh and filtered air from outdoors; high-quality onboard medical care with state-of-the-art medical equipment; and enhanced medical teams on each ship.

Virgin Voyages to offer short cruises in UK in August

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 08 April 2021 08 April 2021

Virgin Voyages, which is part of  Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin Group of companies, said it would offer a short series of cruises in the UK waters in the summer.

Scarlet Lady, the first ship of the line, would offer three and four night cruises from Portsmouth, starting on 6 August, with the final cruise scheduled for 23-27 August.

The ship was delivered by Fincantieri early last year, but has not carried passengers yet because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Scarlet Lady is due to sail for Miami after the completion of its UK cruises.

Photo: Scarlet Lady seen in Liverpool in early 2020

New company Elixir Boutique Cruises to start operations in summer

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 07 April 2021 07 April 2021

A new company called Elixir Boutique Cruises says it will start operations this summer by offering two itineraries of seven nights each in Greek waters.

The Piraeus based company will operate the 25 cabin capacity Elysium on the cruises that highlight well being and relaxation.

“It’s about unique journeys of discovery of new places and a new you. A holistic approach that embraces mind, body, and soul aboard yacht-like havens of wellness and understated luxury,” the company says own its website.

“Our first ship the Elysium, sails the Greek seas and takes you on unparalleled cultural voyages while rejuvenating, exhilarating and educating you.Our vision, a fleet of such boutique ships, offering immersive experiences around the world,” Elixir says.

The first cruises of the company, which has representation in the UK, the Netherlands, Spain, Poland, Denmark, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea, is scheduled to depart on 15 May.