Issue #
146
|
Volume
8
August 3, 2020
In this Issue
Here are some of the news articles we are following:
- Cruise Lines Change Ship Ventilation Systems as Part of Overall COVID Strategy
- COVID-19 Science Summit 'cuts through the noise'
- Cruise Industry News to Publish Special Return to Service Magazine
- Azamara Says Europe Cruise Demand Is Strong for 2021
- Royal Caribbean Group Names Dr. Calvin Johnson to Health Post
- Want to Cruise Again? CDC Requests Public Input
- Carnival Fantasy Arrives in Turkey Ready for Scrapping
- Cruise lines are dropping these ships from their fleets. And here's what it means for cruisers
- FTI Cruises To Shut Down
- 10 Crew Members of Aida Cruises Test Positive for Covid-19
- Saga Cruises sold its Saga Sapphire ship to Anex Tour Turkey
- Greece Reopens Six Ports to Cruise Ships in August
- Cruise company that operated crowded Boston party boat ordered to stop operating
- Fred. Olsen Reveals Unique 2023 Cruise to North America
- Victory Cruise Lines Announces Health Protocols Ahead of 2021 Season
- Dominica Prepares to Open for Foreign Visitors
- Carnival Corp. to remove two more ships, projects $600m-$650m impairment charge
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Cruise Lines Change Ship Ventilation Systems as Part of Overall COVID Strategy
“While much public discussion around cruises restarting have centered on the visible changes that passengers might see -- mandated masks and social distancing as well as staggered embarkation and capacity limits – cruise lines are examining harder-to-see improvements, such as upgrades to the ship's ventilation system. The move is being driven by scientific research, which is now focusing more on aerosol spread of COVID-19, as opposed to surfaces. In fact, 239 doctors across 32 countries have recently submitted a petition calling on the World Health Organization to recognize the COVID-19 coronavirus as being potentially transmitted through micro-droplets in the air. Consumers, too, are becoming more aware. In a recent survey, Cruise Critic members resoundingly supported changes to air and ventilation systems aboard cruise ships.”
COVID-19 Science Summit 'cuts through the noise'
“The importance of masks, social distancing and widespread testing of asymptomatic people came through loud and clear during a COVID-19 web briefing by 12 scientists on Tuesday. Three hours of the latest knowledge flew by during the COVID-19 Global Scientific Summit sponsored by the World Travel & Tourism Council and Carnival Corp. & plc. The event was not cruise or travel focused. 'We hope to cut through the noise and establish a baseline in science and the latest facts,' said Arnold Donald, president and CEO, Carnival Corp. & plc. introducing the three-panel summit he hosted with WTTC President and CEO Gloria Guevara. The powerhouse speakers included a Nobel laureate, experts from Stanford, Harvard, the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic and other prestigious universities, institutes and laboratories. All stressed everyone needs to wear a mask in public and avoid large gatherings. Bars and basketball games are out. 'If everyone just wore a mask for two to three weeks, this virus would end,' according to Dr. Michael Z. Lin of Stanford University. 'Personal responsibility is key. This virus can be defeated by personal actions alone.' Testing, he added, would speed things up. A recording of the summit (Session #1 and #2) are available here. ”
Cruise Industry News to Publish Special Return to Service Magazine
“Cruise Industry News today announced it will publish a special one-time magazine, Return to Service, highlighting cruise line and vendor strategies for the cruise industry's resumption of operations. Already in development, the special edition will be released in early September in both print and digital formats. It will be available on a complimentary basis.”
Azamara Says Europe Cruise Demand Is Strong for 2021
“Azamara announced it is seeing high demand for European sailings in 2021. In a survey sent to 6,000 Azamara loyalty members, almost 50 percent are eager to take a cruise in the next 12-months and over 40 percent of participants are willing to take flights longer than 10 hours, according to the cruise line. Leading in destinations, Mediterranean sailings are proving to be most popular for 2021, followed by Australia and New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, and British Isles.”
Royal Caribbean Group Names Dr. Calvin Johnson to Health Post
“Royal Caribbean Group has named Dr. Calvin Johnson as Global Head, Public Health and Chief Medical Officer, according to a press release. According to the company, in this new role, Johnson will lead the Group's global health and wellness policy, manage its public health and clinical practice, and determine the strategic plans and operations of its global healthcare organization. Johnson will also collaborate with the Healthy Sail Panel to ensure the company establishes and implements its protocols and recommendations.”
Want to Cruise Again? CDC Requests Public Input
“The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) may have extended its no sail order through the end of September, but now appears to be preparing for a future of cruising as it has asked for public input on new protocols. Last week, the CDC released a Request for Information Related to Cruise Ship Planning and Infrastructure, Resumption of Passenger Operations, and Summary Questions, thus, the agency is asking for information from anyone related to cruise ship planning and infrastructure, resumption of passenger operations, and additional summary questions. The CDC said the information may be used to inform future public health guidance and preventative measures relating to travel on cruise ships. The deadline to submit comments in writing is on or before September 21, 2020.”
Carnival Fantasy Arrives in Turkey Ready for Scrapping
“The Carnival cruise ship which is the first in her class has reached the end of service after arriving in Aliaga, Turkey for scrapping. The vessel arrived this morning after completing a transatlantic voyage that departed Willemstad, Curacao 14 days ago. The vessel is now anchored off the coast Aliaga and will soon be beached at the ship breaking facility. Cruise Hive has already reported on two former Royal Caribbean cruise ships with the same fate. Very slowly the once iconic vessel which helped grow the Carnival Cruise Line fleet will be taken apart and the metal will be sold off. All the valuable items and equipment were already stripped when the ship spent some time in Curacao before departing for Aliaga.”
Cruise lines are dropping these ships from their fleets. And here's what it means for cruisers
“As the novel coronavirus emerged, the cruise industry came to a screeching halt that has lasted for months. Resuming sailings will happen slowly and in regional phases with at least one U.S. line's pause in operations already extended until December. As cruise lines surge forward without the same incoming revenue, some, including cruise giant Carnival Corp., have announced that they are making reductions to their fleets of ships. But those cuts go beyond saving the cruise companies money – they affect passengers, too. While many passengers are dealing with cruise cancellations as a result of sailing suspensions, other travelers are facing cancellations or schedule changes because of ships' departures.”
FTI Cruises to Shut Down
“As part of a restructuring, FTI Group has announced it will shut down its one-ship cruise brand. FTI Cruises are to cease operations as of (27th July 2020) and the future of the 1979 built M.S. Berlin is now uncertain. This decision came as a result of the Pandemic of Covid-19 and as part of a major restructuring of the FTI Group. Unfortunately, this includes the one-ship cruise company FTI Cruises. The German tour operator will cease operating the FTI Berlin, which had sailed under the FTI banner since 2012 as was originally delivered in 1980.”
10 Crew Members of Aida Cruises Test Positive for Covid-19
“Ten new joiners, members of the crew of AIDA Cruises who were scheduled to board AIDAmar and AIDAblu in Rostock tested positive for Covid-19, reports the German TV and radio station NDR. In a press conference, the news was announced by the State Office for Health and Social Affairs (LAGuS) on Friday.
All 750 crew members who arrived during this week from Indonesia and the Philippines tested negative in their home countries before the flight to Germany. Following the safety protocols the new joiners were tested once again, and the test result detected 10 positive crew for the Covid-19 virus. Nine of the crew who tested positive are asymptomatic and one has mild symptoms of the virus. According to the safety protocols they were placed in isolation on board one of the cruise ships. It was not mentioned on which vessel the positive employees were isolated, on AIDAmar or AIDAblu which are currently located in the Rostock. The crew will be tested once again on Sunday.”
Saga Cruises sold its Saga Sapphire ship to Anex Tour Turkey
“The cruise expert in services for the over 50s, SAGA Cruises, announced it had completed the previously agreed sale of its Saga Sapphire ship to the family-run Turkish tour operator and travel agency ANEX Tour.
The liner is scheduled to enter service as Blue Sapphire operating for the new cruise line of ANEX Tour in 2021. While many ships are currently being scrapped or sold due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the Saga Sapphire sale is not related to the crisis. ANEX Tour had announced in August last year it would acquire the Sapphire.”
Greece Reopens Six Ports to Cruise Ships in August
“Greece announced plans to reopen six of its ports to cruise ships becoming the latest country to ease travel restrictions that had been imposed due to the coronavirus. Using the standards outlined in the EU’s Health Gateways, Greece’s ports are reopening as of August 1 as the Ministry of Tourism seeks to restart the industry that is vital to the Greek economy.
Haris Theocharis, Greece’s Minister of Tourism sent a letter to the Cruise Lines International Association, along with copies to three of the largest cruise lines operating in the Greek Islands, Costa Cruises, MSC Cruises and TUI Cruises, announcing the country’s plans to reopen the ports. Starting August 1, the ports of Piraeus, Rhodes, Heraklion, Volos, Corfu and Katakolo are open and cruise ships are permitted to visit any or all of the ports.”
Cruise company that operated crowded Boston party boat ordered to stop operating
“The company behind what happened to be a crowded Boston Harbor weekend party cruise was ordered to stop operating. The Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards has issued a cease and desist to Bay State Cruise Company on Monday, July 27. An image circulating on social media showed people standing close together on the 3-deck Provincetown II ship run by Bay State, as it prepared to depart for a 2,5-hour trip Saturday night, July 25. Most passengers were on the open-air top deck.”
Fred. Olsen Reveals Unique 2023 Cruise to North America
“Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines today unveiled its first look into 2023 with the early release of a North American Waterways and Canadian Fall cruise, including a maiden sailing of the Hudson River in New York, according to a press release. The 34-night cruise aboard the Balmoral will set sail from Southampton in September 2023 and will visit a number of Canadian ports, including St John’s in Newfoundland and Halifax, Nova Scotia.”
Victory Cruise Lines Announces Health Protocols Ahead of 2021 Season
“Victory Cruise Lines, operated by American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC), has created health and safety protocols to keep guests, crew and the communities the vessels visit safe ahead of the 2021 cruise season, according to a press release. New steps being implemented include pre-cruise screening, crew screening, updated boarding processes and increased sanitation measures. These new policies are in place and ready to be implemented when the cruise operator resumes operations in 2021.”
Dominica Prepares to Open for Foreign Visitors
“Dominica is anticipating opening its borders to foreign visitors as of Aug. 7, according to Colin Piper, CEO of Discover Dominica. Having closed its borders on March 25, Dominica started to welcome the return of nationals and residents on July 15. The island nation has reported 18 incidents of Covid-19 infections and that all recovered as the country was able to contain and mitigate the virus. Having declared a state of emergency through the end of June, Dominica enforced various restrictions, including a curfew, limited hours businesses were allowed to be open, social distancing, etc.”
Carnival Corp. to remove two more ships, projects $600m-$650m impairment charge
“Carnival Corp. & plc plans to dispose of two more ships on top of the nine announced earlier this month and the four disclosed prior to fiscal 2020. Company management evaluated these two ships and concluded their carrying values are no longer recoverable when compared to their estimated remaining future cash flows. Consequently, and in combination with other ships and notes receivables with recoverability impacted by the current environment, Carnival expects to record non-cash impairment charges during the third quarter in the range of $600m to $650m.”
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the articles above are those of the authors' and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of this e-Newsletter
Disclaimer: The views expressed in the articles above are those of the authors' and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of this e-Newsletter
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