Top Headlines

CLIA to introduce stringent boarding procedures, protocols to avoid onboard quarantines

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 09 March 2020 09 March 2020

CLIA says industry wide procedures to prevent outbreaks of coronavirus onboard cruise ships and protocols to care for guests on land to avoid quarantine onboard should an outbreak occur are under preparation.

This follows a meeting with the US Vice President Mike Pence and acting Homeland Security Chief Chad Wolf on 7 March.

“We thank the Vice President for a productive meeting marked by our shared focus on public health. We have committed to do even more to protect our guests, our crew and the communities where we sail. This includes more stringent boarding procedures, adding additional onboard medical resources and temperature screenings at embarkation,” CLIA said in a statement.

“We will also develop industry funded protocols to care for guests on land in the event of an incident to eliminate future incidents of onboard quarantine. We are pleased to know the government agencies are prepared to work with us in developing these aggressive new measures. We expect to report back this week with further details of this enhanced approach to protecting public health,” CLIA stated.

Updated: U.S. State Department issues a travel advisory on cruise travel

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 08 March 2020 08 March 2020

According to the U.S. Department of State, which Sunday afternoon issued a travel advisory against cruise travel, it's recommending that Americans, particularly those with existing health issues, avoid travel by cruise ship in light of an increased risk of infection of the COVID-19, also known as coronavirus.

In the statement, the advisory notes that cruise lines continue to face challenges. "Many countries have implemented strict screening procedures that have denied port entry rights to ships and prevented passengers from disembarking," the statement says. "In some cases, local authorities have permitted disembarkation but subjected passengers to local quarantine procedures. While the U.S. government has evacuated some cruise ship passengers in recent weeks, repatriation flights should not be relied upon as an option for U.S. citizens under the potential risk of quarantine by local authorities."

What's not divulged in the travel advisory, which some U.S. media outlets are erroneously calling a travel warning, is the level of severity of the advisory. The U.S. State Department has three different levels of advisories. These start at #1: "Exercise normal precautions; #2: "Exercise increased caution;" and #3: Reconsider travel."

The fourth, the only level of travel warning, simply states "Do not go." No travel warning has been issued for cruise travel.

We’ll keep you posted as changes occur in this extremely fluid situation.

CLIA response to speculation about U.S. Government action

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 06 March 2020 06 March 2020

Any action to restrict cruising is unwarranted, and at odds with the World Health Organization which “continues to advise against the application of travel or trade restrictions to countries experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks." Singling out the travel and tourism industry, and cruise lines specifically, will have significant detrimental impacts – some possibly irreversible – on the national and local economies. The cruise industry is a vital artery for the U.S. economy, supporting over 421,000 American jobs and contributing nearly $53 billion to the U.S. economy in 2018. Cruise activity supports travel agencies, airlines, hotels and a broad supply chain of industries that stretches across the United States. With the proactive measures in place by the cruise industry based on prevailing guidance from global health authorities, restricting cruising is unreasonable and will have long-lasting detrimental effects on the U.S. economy well beyond the travel and tourism industry.

Holistica Destinations to invest $300 million in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 05 March 2020 05 March 2020

Holistica Destinations, a new joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and privately held ITM Group, has announced its first major project in The Bahamas: a development in Freeport, Grand Bahama with an initial investment of $300 million. The venture spans two locations including the enhancement and expansion of the port terminal, to be called Harbour Village, and the Lucaya Property, which will be situated at the current Grand Lucayan resort. The project includes ambitious plans for employment, job training, community investment and sustainable construction practices.

"Holistica Destinations knows how to build destinations that bridge an area’s authentic culture for the enjoyment of cruise and land-based travelers in a way they long for, while simultaneously allowing destinations to stay true to themselves in an environmentally conscious way," said Robert Shamosh, CEO of Holistica Destinations. "Our overall vision for this new endeavor is a long-term relationship with the community and the government of The Bahamas; essentially a marriage where we will grow together in prosperity welcoming millions of visitors to the destination for years to come."

The first phase of the Lucaya Property will be a world-class beachfront destination with a 526-room hotel, shopping village, spa and wellness center, water-based family entertainment including a massive water and adventure theme park, a 40,000-square-foot convention center, adventure activities such as zip lines and off-roading, restaurants and bars, entertainment and lively nightlife. This new Bahamian oasis will be a place where visitors will be invited to immerse in the destination’s vibrant culture, stunning landscape and native wildlife.

Harbour Village will be nine miles west of the Lucaya Property, at the cruise terminal in Freeport Harbor. Here, visitors will be able to enjoy numerous spaces with multiple shopping and dining venues, beach areas, shore excursions and more. There will also be engaging activities for visitors to experience.

“Great destinations are a vitally important part of the recipe to deliver unforgettable cruise vacations. With our partnership in Holistica Destinations, we believe that this new development will create a world-class experience for guests and deliver renewed hope for the rebirth of Grand Bahama,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. “We thank the government of The Bahamas for its continued partnership and shared vision to create a premier attraction which will be a catalyst for economic growth in the destination.”

Mauricio Hamui of ITM Group said the capacity for the harbor will be vastly expanded: “By the time we are finished in the winter of 2022, the port will be ready to host the largest cruise ships in the world.”

With the participation of Bahamian companies, development plans for Freeport also include a multi-modal transportation hub with infrastructure for water ferries and ground transportation including buses, vans and jeeps. Holistica Destinations will work closely with local business owners and entrepreneurs as partners with opportunities both at Harbour Village and the Lucaya Property as well as additional shore excursions in Grand Bahama.

A May 2019 study by Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, indicated that over a 22-year projection timeline, there would be a B$9.1 billion increase in Bahamian GDP as a result of this project. Additionally, the project anticipates creating 3,000 direct jobs during peak construction and operation periods. Once the development is completed, Grand Bahama should expect to welcome more than two million travelers annually.

“We thank Holistica Destinations for investing in Grand Bahama,” said Prime Minister, the Most Honorable Dr. Hubert Minnis. “This project will result in employment, business and entrepreneurial opportunities for the residents of Grand Bahama.”

Holistica Destinations excels in developing and operating port destinations. In addition to the Freeport project, the company owns and operates destinations in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; and Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. These projects, among others, will serve eight million visitors annually and are to be accessible to all travelers, including land and air vacationers and guests of multiple cruise lines. Holistica Destinations is also engaged in discussions regarding multiple existing and proposed destinations around the world.

Virgin Voyages cancels Scarlet Lady's New York showcase

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 01 March 2020 01 March 2020

Virgin Voyages has canceled the Scarlet Lady's showcase, which was to take place next weekend.

"In light of the current news headlines, we want to ensure everyone feels it is the right time to celebrate with us. We understand people may want to focus on other things at the moment, so we have made the decision to reschedule our upcoming Showcase Tour stop and events in New York City. We plan to sail back to New York soon," the company said in a statement.

"We have absolutely no health concerns or issues on board and elevated our health protocol and processes when we took delivery of Scarlet Lady to keep our crew and visitors well and happy.

With no other events scheduled in New York at this time, we will instead sail Scarlet to her new home in Miami, where we will continue our plans for launch and welcome our Sailors for the first time."