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CDC issues framework for resuming safe and responsible cruise operations

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 30 October 2020 30 October 2020

Today the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Framework for Conditional Sailing Order that introduces a phased approach for the safe and responsible resumption of passenger cruises. The Order establishes a framework of actionable items for the cruise line industry to follow so they can resume passenger operations with an emphasis on preventing the further spread of Covid-19 on cruise ships and from cruise ships into communities, and to protect public health and safety. The Order applies to passenger operations on cruise ships with the capacity to carry at least 250 passengers in waters subject to U.S. jurisdiction.

Recent outbreaks on cruise ships overseas provide current evidence that cruise ship travel facilitates and amplifies transmission of Covid-19 – even when ships sail at reduced passenger capacities – and would likely spread the disease into U.S. communities if passenger operations were to resume in the United States without public health oversight.

“This framework provides a pathway to resume safe and responsible sailing. It will mitigate the risk of Covid-19 outbreaks on ships and prevent passengers and crew from seeding outbreaks at ports and in the communities where they live,” says CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, M.D. “CDC and the cruise industry have a shared goal to protect crew, passengers, and communities and will continue to work together to ensure that all necessary public health procedures are in place before cruise ships begin sailing with passengers.”

Cruising safely and responsibly during a global pandemic is very challenging. The Framework for Conditional Sailing Order requires a phased approach to resuming passenger operations. A phased approach is necessary because of the continued spread of the Covid-19 pandemic worldwide, risk of resurgence in countries that have suppressed transmission, ongoing concerns related to restarting of cruising internationally, and need for additional time for the cruise industry to test the effectiveness of measures to control potential Covid-19 transmission on board cruise ships with passengers without burdening public health.

“CDC and the cruise industry have the same goal: A return to passenger sailing, but only when its safe. Under the CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, cruise lines have been given a pathway to systematically demonstrate their ability to sail while keeping passengers, crew and their destination ports safe and healthy,” said former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, co-chair of the Healthy Sail Panel.

During the initial phases, cruise ship operators must demonstrate adherence to testing, quarantine and isolation, and social distancing requirements to protect crew members while they build the laboratory capacity needed to test crew and future passengers. Subsequent phases will include simulated (mock) voyages with volunteers playing the role of passengers to test cruise ship operators’ ability to mitigate Covid-19 risk, certification for ships that meet specific requirements, and return to passenger voyages in a manner that mitigates Covid-19 risk among passengers, crew members, and communities.

“Our member lines are 100 percent committed to helping to protect the health of our guests, our crew and the communities we serve, and are prepared to implement multiple layers of protocols informed by the latest scientific and medical knowledge,” said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). “We look forward to reviewing the new Order and are optimistic that it is an important step toward returning our ships to service from U.S. ports.”

CDC will help ships prepare and protect crew members during the initial phases by:

– establishing a laboratory team dedicated to cruise ships to provide information and oversight for COVID-19 testing,
– updating its color-coding system to indicate ship status,
– updating its technical instructions, as needed, and
– updating the “Enhanced Data Collection (EDC) During COVID-19 Pandemic Form” to prepare for surveillance for COVID-19 among passengers.

CDC will continue to update its guidance and recommendations to specify basic safety standards and public health interventions based on the best scientific evidence available. For more information about COVID-19 and cruise ships, please visit www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/cruise-ship/what-cdc-is-doing.html and www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise.

AIDA Cruises suspends operations for one month

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 October 2020 29 October 2020

AIDA Cruises, the Germany focused contemporary market unit of Carnival Corporation & plc, has decided to suspend operations from 31 October to 30 November.

This follows the decision of the German Federal government to introduce restrictions on travel, together with other measures, to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company said in a statement that it supports the government’s decision and added that the cruises operated so far by AIDAblu this autumn show that safe travel is possible even in these extraordinary times.

Swan Hellenic appoints Hans Heger VP of Hotel Operations

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 October 2020 28 October 2020

Swan Hellenic, the resurgent expedition cruise line, said it has appointed Hans Heger as Vice President of Hotel Operations.

As a luxury cruise hospitality expert, he brings historic insight and track record as innovator to cultural expedition cruise pioneers, the company said.

“Hans’ operational experience reads like a roster of cruise leaders and innovators - from Abercrombie & Kent, Club Med, Harmony, Pearl, Phoenix Reisen and Seven Seas to Scenic, Silversea and Royal Viking Line - unquestionably making him a safe pair of hands. But he’s also much more,” the company said in a statement.

Heger also worked for Swan Hellenic in the 1990s, when it introduced its first purpose built ship, the 12,500 gross ton Minerva that entered service in 1996 and which is no longer used as a cruise vessel.

“We are over the moon to welcome Hans on board. He brings outstanding high-end hospitality expertise and creative flair to our vision for an entirely unique guest experience,” explained Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito.

Heger commented: “I am delighted to join the dynamic team bringing the Swan Hellenic vision of five-star cultural expedition cruising to life across a truly exciting new fleet. It’s a pleasure to return to this iconic pioneer with such a tremendous opportunity to create a one-of-a-kind lifestyle on board.”

Swan Hellenic was acquired by investors from the Canada based Gap Adventures group earlier this year. It has three expedition vessels on order at the Helsinki Shipyard in Finland.It had no operations during the time Gap Adventurs owned the company.

Princess Cruises extends Australia standstill till end of May 2021

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 October 2020 28 October 2020

Due to the uncertainty about when international travel restrictions might be lifted, Princess Cruises is extending its pause in operations for cruises departing from Australia and New Zealand through 31 May 2021, the company said in a statement.

Guests will receive a refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 25% of the cruise fare paid. To receive the above FCCs, no action is required by the guest or their travel advisor.

Alternatively, guests can forfeit the bonus FCC offer and request a refund for all money paid on their booking by using this online form. Guests have until 30 November 2020, to elect a refund, or they will automatically receive the default offer listed above.

Princess Cruises will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full, in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line's business and success, the company said.

Costa Toscana and Costa Favolosa to South America in 2021-22

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 October 2020 28 October 2020

Costa Crociere, part of the Carnival Corporation & plc group, has presented its programs for the 2021-22 season in South America that will include the new Costa Toscana and Costa. Favolosa, the company said in a statement.

Costa Toscana will make its debut in Brazil, and Costa Favolosa will extend its season to almost five months.

The inaugural cruise of Costa Toscana, which is currently under construction in Finland, will include New Year's Eve, as it will depart from Santos on 26 December 2021 for a seven-night holiday to Salvador and Ilhéus, returning to Santos on 2 January 2022 for what will be an unprecedented moment in the history of the Brazilian cruise industry.

From 2 January to 10 April 2022, Costa Toscana will offer another 15 cruises with the same itinerary, with embarkation in Santos and Salvador. The 15 cruises also include Carnival and Easter departures. The latter will be the last tour of the ship before the Brazil-Italy crossing, departing from Santos on 17 April 2022.

Starting 20 November 2021, Costa Favolosa will be cruising in South America for 144 days, almost five months, the longest season in the history of the company in the region. The ship will offer five cruises, from three to six nights, calling at Búzios, Salvador, Ilhabela and Balneário Camboriú, with embarkation from Santos.

From 13 December 2021 to April 2022, Costa Favolosa will depart from Rio de Janeiro for her traditional "Prata" itinerary. A total of 15 eight-night cruises will be available, with embarkation – for the first time – in Itajaí, in addition to Buenos Aires and Montevideo. Costa holidays in the Prata region also include Christmas, New Year's Eve and Carnival.

This itinerary will allow guests to visit popular destinations, such as the cities of Rio de Janeiro, Ilhabela, Itajaí, Montevideo (Uruguay) and Buenos Aires (Argentina). Costa Favolosa's New Year's itinerary will maintain her traditional New Year's Eve stop at Copacabana beach and its fireworks display.

The 2021-22 season will also be marked by the Italy-Brazil and Brazil-Italy crossings on board Costa Favolosa. These cruises allow tourists to visit different places in the world at once. Departing from Savona on 2 November 2021 for an 18-night tour, Costa Favolosa will visit the charming destinations of Marseille, Barcelona, Malaga, Casablanca and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, in addition to the Brazilian cities of Recife, Salvador, Ilhéus and Rio de Janeiro.

The return cruise to Europe will start on 16 April 2022 from Rio de Janeiro for a 15-night voyage calling at Salvador, Maceió, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Malaga and Barcelona before reaching Savona on 1 May 2022.