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Ponant takes delivery of Le Jacques Cartier – the final ship in the Ponant Explorer series

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 14 July 2020 14 July 2020

On July 10, Ponant took delivery of Le Jacques Cartier successfully concluding the company’s series of a new generation of ships flying the French flag over just two years.

“The delivery of Le Jacques Cartier is a success. It marks the completion of the Ponant Explorers series, which has revolutionised the concept of ocean voyages. These six vessels combining cutting-edge technology and respect for the environment are the symbol of a new generation of ships flying the French flag,” declared Jean Emmanuel Sauvée, CEO of Ponant.

With just 92 rooms and suites, all with balconies or private terraces, sleek and elegant exterior lines and a refined design, Le Jacques Cartier joins its sisterships featuring the latest technology and innovations while respecting the environment. Le Jacques Cartier also features Ponant’s pioneering concept the “Blue Eye.” This underwater multi-sensory lounge allows guests to discover and experience the underwater world through two giant windows resembling the eyes of a whale looking out to the seabed. Non-intrusive underwater spotlights reveal the views while hydrophones built into the keel capture the natural symphony of the sea and ‘Body Listening’ sofas offer sensory accompaniment by vibrating in unison with the sounds.

New on Le Jacques Cartier, the ship will feature a hidden work of art by Shuck One an acclaimed French graffiti artist known for TK. During the construction of the ship, the artist produced an allegorical diptych on the raw steel of the ship showcasing the oceans and nature. Shuck One’s piece was then covered up when then ship completed construction and is now only available for viewing via a porthole.

With the delivery of Le Jacques Cartier, Ponant completes the Ponant Explorer series and expands to a fleet of 12 ships. Ponant will continue its development strategy in 2021 with the launch of Le Commandant Charcot, the world’s first luxury hybrid electric polar exploration vessel.

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line to resume sailings August 28

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 July 2020 13 July 2020

Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line today announced an extended delay to the resumption of its sailing operations. The official statement, delivered by Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line CEO Oneil Khosa, is as follows:

“Upon announcing that we would resume cruising in late July, we were thrilled to see a great deal of demand, demonstrating that there is a strong appetite amongst travelers for our unique short-cruise ‘microcation’ product. At this time, we remain the only cruise line in the country to have received a “green status” from the CDC on our No Sail Response plan, meaning we have met all requirements in providing a safe environment for our crew members to work and disembark via non-commercial travel.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve continued preparations to return to Grand Bahama Island while keeping an eye on the overall landscape, which continues to evolve. In recent days, amidst a spike in COVID-19 cases in many states across the country, we’ve seen mounting pressures to modify reopening plans and consideration of the return of stay-at-home orders. Additionally, new restrictions from the Bahamas have been announced, requiring travelers to present a negative swab test prior to entry. In an effort to provide the safest environment for our passengers and crew, we have no choice but to further postpone our sailing schedule.

Our current plan is to resume cruises on August 28th, 2020. This is incredibly disappointing to our entire team, but the decision was made after very careful consideration of all factors, and we believe this is in everyone’s best interest. We look forward to welcoming guests back onboard and appreciate everyone’s patience throughout this process.”

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises to resume cruises with a ten-point health plan and new itineraries

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 July 2020 11 July 2020

Hapag-Lloyd Cruises is planning to set sail again starting at the end of July 2020, with extensive hygiene and preventive measures. The cruise company will restart cruises from Hamburg with their luxury ship, the Europa 2, and their expedition ship, the Hanseatic inspiration. Passenger numbers will be reduced by 40%, with a passenger count of 150-300 guests on board. The basis for the resumption of cruise operations are the guidelines of the relevant authorities, which have been produced in coordination with CLIA Deutschland shipping companies and in collaboration with experts. The Hapag-Lloyd Cruises prevention and safety concept onboard will be based on these new guidelines. The most important measures are summarised in a ten-point plan, which will enable a safe and comfortable cruise on board, and will also meet the highest hygiene standards. More detailed information available at: hl-cruises.com/travel-safely In accordance with the German authorities, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises has agreed to only welcome guests who are resident in Germany, Austria and Switzerland at this time. Thanks to the positive developments with regard to containing COVID-19 in these countries and the comparatively short distances to the departure point, it is assumed that the risk of infection from people resident in these countries is similarly low.

“We have taken extraordinary measures in preparation for this relaunch and are faced with a new travel reality with significantly stricter prevention and hygiene standards. We have taken our time because the safety of our guests and crew and the trust of those in charge of the German ports is very important to us,” says Karl J. Pojer, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. “For the relaunch, in accordance with the German authorities, we have agreed to exclusively welcome guests who are resident in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on board at first. In the next phase, we will evaluate whether we are able to allow guests who are resident in other countries to travel with us, depending on the development of the infection rate in those countries.”

“Our relaunch will be carried out in a controlled fashion, and we are going above and beyond the requirements set forth by the authorities. Between each cruise, we will purposely have a reset day without guests on board. Our reset day is for general cleaning and disinfection of the entire ship, and will help to establish the new procedure. Our aim is to make our guest’s time on board safe, care-free and enjoyable, by observing the necessary rules in regards to maintaining distance and providing personal and individual service. Our small ships offer ideal conditions for this,” says Pojer.

The Hapag-Lloyd Cruises ten-point plan

Before the cruises even begin, the mandatory disclosure of health information will be provided to guests and will need to be signed. Also, the use of thermal imaging cameras will be used upon embarkation, and there will be a staggered and controlled boarding process ensure that comprehensive prevention measures will be taken, and distance will be maintained from the start.

The crew will also undergo a thorough health check. They will complete a period of quarantine before they start their duties and will be given a PCR test. Crew members will have their temperatures checked each day before they start their shift. There is supervised medical team onboard, emergency and contingency plans in place, as well as a comprehensive training and safety programme for the crew as part of the new health and safety concept. The medical team has been expanded and there is a Public Health Manager, responsible for the implementation of preventive and hygiene measures.

The small luxury and expedition ships from the Hapag-Lloyd Cruises fleet offer plenty of space, and therefore satisfy the rules regarding social distancing, with a minimum distance of 1.5 metres (5 feet) in public areas. For areas where this is not possible – such as during embarkation and disembarkation or in the elevators, guests on board will be given a care set which include face masks. All cabins are spacious outside cabins, mainly with balconies, providing private places to retreat to on board.

All ships are equipped with thermal imaging cameras and a mobile laboratory to provide rapid detection of viral diseases, such as COVID-19. Cold fogging devices will be used for area-wide deep cleaning of suites, cabins and public areas. In addition, the number of disinfectant dispensers on board has been significantly increased.

The new standards will be seamlessly integrated into life on board, so that the enjoyment of our guests is as unimpaired as possible: the crew–to-passenger ratio of 1:1 means individual and personal service. The number of seats available in the restaurants will be reduced, and the opening times will be extended. There will be no self-service in the restaurants, the buffets, or in the bars. All meals can also be served in cabins, with 24-hour room service available. Hapag-Lloyd Cruises also guarantees a 100% fresh air supply in the cabins and all public areas.

Good news – AIDA Cruises to restart cruise vacations in August

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 09 July 2020 09 July 2020

AIDA Cruises, Germany's leading cruise line and a part of Carnival Corporation & plc, the world's largest cruise company – today announced it will resume sailing operations in August 2020. Following an industry-wide pause in operations in mid-March, three of its ships will restart sailing next month. AIDAperla will be the first to set sail on August 5 from Hamburg, followed by AIDAmar from Rostock-Warnemünde on August 12 and AIDAblu from Kiel on August 16. Bookings start today, July 9.

Supported by the theme – "With certainty the most beautiful vacation" – AIDA Cruises has worked with several global and national health authorities to develop a comprehensive set of health and hygiene protocols to help facilitate a safe, healthy and phased-in return to cruise vacations. The brand will provide extensive information about the enhanced protocols and procedures it will implement against COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. More details are available at www.aida.de/sichererurlaub.

Starting with the booking process through individual travel preparation, embarking and disembarking in port, and medical care on board, AIDA Cruises has introduced a variety of preventive measures to complement existing health and hygiene standards.

These measures range from the digital health questionnaire prior to the cruise, to temperature measurements before check-in for guests and crew, to physical distancing guidelines and routing systems on arrival and departure and on board, to closely managing capacities at venues such as restaurants, bars, theatres, sports and wellness areas.

The enhanced protocols are supplemented by additional hygiene and safety measures, such as increased cleaning and disinfection measures, which take place in all cabins and public areas according to a defined protocol, as well as additional disinfection dispensers at check-in and on board.

Onboard medical care for all guests and crew is available around the clock. The ships are equipped with PCR-test-kits and diagnostic devices for the immediate evaluation of suspected COVID-19 cases, and the medical team on board is trained in the relevant test procedures and treatment methods. Together with the responsible authorities, extensive processes have been developed to facilitate medical care, safe disembarkation, and a safe return home as quickly as possible for patients diagnosed with a confirmed COVID-19 case.

The first cruises will take place with an adjusted passenger capacity and without calling at another port. AIDA guests can look forward to a versatile vacation program on board with the usual five-star service for guests, with the implementation of necessary hygiene standards and rules for avoiding contact and keeping distance. Bookings start today, July 9, 2020, 12:00 a.m. (German time) in all travel agencies, at www.aida.de, as well as in the AIDA Customer Center at +49-381-20270707.

The comprehensive health concept and the measures taken to manage suspected and confirmed COVID-19 cases have been developed with medical experts and are based in part on the current guidance from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the German Robert Koch Institute (RKI) as well as other governmental and health authorities. Additionally, the renowned independent testing company SGS Institut Fresenius will check the implementation of the comprehensive hygiene standards and the processes of preventive measures against COVID-19.

AIDA Cruises is already working intensively on the next steps. Depending on the opening of further European ports for cruise ships, the first foreign destinations could be integrated into the itinerary.

In a third phase, the gradual return to the original itinerary will be possible, naturally taking into account current developments in the destinations and in compliance with the respective international and national regulations of health and hygiene authorities and AIDA's own high standards.

Oceana to leave P&O Cruises this month

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 07 July 2020 07 July 2020

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit of Carnival Corporation & plc, will axe the 2000 built Oceana, the company said in a statement.

“P&O Cruises can confirm that Oceana will leave the fleet from July this year,” the company said.

The ship started life as Ocean Princess of sister company Princess Cruises and was transferred to P&O Cruises in 2003. It is a unit of the Sun Princess class and has a gross tonnage of 77,449.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said in the statement: “Whilst we and many of our guests will miss Oceana, her departure will allow us to focus on our remaining ships in the fleet, as capacity expands with the delivery of Iona later this year followed by her sister ship, scheduled for 2022. During this pause in our operations we need to fit the fleet for the future and ensure we have the right mix of ships once we resume sailing.”

Carnival group said a few weeks ago that six ships would leave its combined fleet of about 100 vessels in the subsequent 90 days and additional disposals could be expected.

The 1996 built Costa Victoria of Costa Crociere became the first disposal of the group when the vessel was acquired by an Italian company for recycling earlier this summer.