Cruise News: Top Stories From January
Cruise News: Top Stories From January
As the cruise industry continues to bounce back after essentially shutting down due to the coronavirus pandemic, it is now battling another variant and new recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) against sailing.
To start the year, cruise lines have been working to improve the passenger experience, including updating COVID-related requirements, announcing Wave Season deals, revealing new ships and itineraries, adding entertaining themed voyages and more.
The cruise industry made major waves over the last month, and here are the top cruise stories from January.
Omicron Surges
At the end of December, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) elevated its travel warning for the cruise industry from Level 3 to Level 4, advising people to avoid traveling by ship regardless of their COVID-19 vaccination status. At the same time, the CDC did not extend its Conditional Sail Order, but cruise lines continued to abide by its recommendations.
Norwegian Cruise Line canceled a raft of cruises through April 23 as the Omicron variant impacted ships, crew and passengers, while Carnival Cruise Line expanded its embarkation requirements to battle the rising number of cases.
MSC Cruises was even forced to cancel a port of call at Ocean Cay, its own private island, after the Bahamian government turned the MSC Seashore away due to several guests and crew members testing positive for coronavirus during a five-night trip from Miami.
Cruise Lines to Require Vaccine Boosters
As the Omicron variant continues to impact travel, several cruise lines around the world have started requiring that passengers receive a coronavirus booster shot before being permitted to board their ships.
UnCruise Adventures, Hapag-Lloyd Cruises and Grand Circle Cruise Line were among the first companies to require the coronavirus boosters, followed by larger cruise lines such as Azamara, Lindblad Expeditions and Silversea Cruises.
Hawaii Reopens to Cruise Ships
The Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) welcomed back cruise ships to the island chain on January 15, with Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line signing the first port agreements to bring the passenger voyages back to the state.
Hawaii will once again allow ships to visit the state’s approved ports as long as the cruise lines follow specific protocols, including mandatory COVID-19 testing rules and a dedicated medical staff equipped to handle a potential outbreak onboard.
Wave Season Deals
For cruise travelers, Wave Season runs between January and March and kicked off with several companies offering low fares for customers looking to book for the year ahead. Emerald Cruises launched the “It’s Your Time to Travel” promotion running through March 31, including savings of up to 25 percent on select sailings.
Avalon Waterways customers who book through March 28 can enjoy four different tiers of savings up to $2,800 off per couple on select 2022 and 2023 itineraries across Europe. Quark Expeditions is also offering a travel advisor incentive for all agents who complete their PolarPro sales training program by March 31 and book a subsequent Quark Expeditions trip for a client.
Say Hello to Norwegian Viva
Norwegian Cruise Line announced the next ship in its brand-new Prima Class would be dubbed Norwegian Viva and is scheduled to set sail in June 2023. The 965-feet-long vessel will accommodate 3,219 guests at double occupancy and carry passengers on a series of Mediterranean itineraries starting in June 2023.
Once her inaugural Mediterranean voyages are completed, the new NCL ship will sail the Southern Caribbean for the 2023-2024 Winter Season, offering warm-weather getaways from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Say Goodbye to Richard Fain
Cruise industry legend and former Royal Caribbean Group CEO Richard Fain officially stepped down from his position on January 3 after leading it for more than 33 years. The company handed the reins to former CFO Jason Liberty, who will now serve as president and CEO. Former Royal Caribbean Group senior vice president of finance Naftali Holtz has been promoted to the role of CFO.
Disney Cruise Line Announces Themed Sailings
Disney Cruise Line announced a series of all-new themed days aboard special sailings in early 2023. On Disney Fantasy, Pixar Day at Sea will take place on nine select seven-night Disney Cruise Line voyages between January and March 2023 and feature themed dining, character encounters, dance parties and theatrical musical experiences.
On Disney Dream, Marvel Day at Sea will take place on nine five-night Caribbean cruises sailing from Miami, starting on January 7, 2023. The returning events will also boast the largest assembly of Marvel Super Heroes and Villains on one vessel.
Crystal Cruises Suspends Operations
Crystal Cruises parent company Genting Hong Kong Ltd. announced it had suspended all operations over an apparent lack of cash and paused sailings for its three ships through April 29, 2022.
The cruise line also ordered its Crystal Symphony ship to divert to the Bahamas to avoid U.S. Marshals waiting in Miami with arrest warrants. A U.S. court-ordered seizure of the vessel after Genting failed to pay $1.2 million in fuel bills.
American Cruise Lines’ New Expansion Project
American Cruise Lines announced a new fleet of go-anywhere ships designed for the United States market, dubbed Project Blue. The company revealed plans for 12 identical sister ships that will more than double the nation’s current capacity for domestic coastal cruises.
The fleet will operate exclusively in the U.S. and focus on small towns and close-to-home adventures. The new ships will be built by Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, Maryland, with the first two vessels already under construction and due for delivery in 2023.
New Entertainment Options Coming to the Open Seas
British cruise line Cunard announced a new partnership with the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) to bring world-class theatre to its flagship Queen Mary 2 ship. The three-year partnership will begin on May 29 and run through August 12, 2022, and then again from September 15 to November 13, 2022. Dates for future years will be announced at a later time.