Issue #
161
|
Volume
9
September 7, 2020
In this Issue
Here are some of the news articles we are following:
- The CDC Wanted the Public’s Input on Cruising & Covid… They’re Getting an Earful!
- What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
- AIDA Cruises pushes back planned restart, will not sail until November
- Viking Crew appointed as Scenic Eclipse yacht’s Crew Manager
- Beginning of the End of our Cruise Season as Princess, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, P&O and Carnival Extend Pauses
- Why Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line Stocks Roared Back to Life This Morning
- Interest in International Cruise Travel In 2021 Increasing, Allianz Says
- MSC Cruises and Fincantieri float out MSC Seashore
- Princess Cruises announces big changes to cruise operations
- A Cruise Ship History: The Horizon
- Fleet Retrospective: Cunard and Seabourn 2000 Cruise Ship Lineup
- Costa Cruises to resume cruising from Italy in September
- Still a chance US cruising could resume in 2020, Donald says
- Another Cruise Line Throws in the Towel on Cruises in 2020
Cover Image by:
The CDC Wanted the Public’s Input on Cruising & Covid… They’re Getting an Earful!
"The cruising industry has been put on hold since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic. There were some early-COVID-times cruises that managed to end without anyone catching the virus (such as the one my friends were on, where they were stranded on their “healthy” ship for 3 weeks before a port would let them disembark). But with tragedies such as over 700 people on the Diamond Princess getting the virus, the CDC is hesitant to allow cruise ships to sail out of the U.S. until all possible precautions have been addressed. The cruise lines have, of course, all been compliant with the CDC’s extended Do Not Sail order and, in fact, some are already not even planning on sailing until sometime in 2021. Meanwhile, the CDC is trying to develop a list of COVID-related requirements and protocols that are appropriate for large cruise ships. As part of its planning, they’ve called for industry people – cruise employees, travel agents, etc. – to give input via an online survey. However, they’ve also opened the poll up to the general public, so they could offer their ideas regarding what should be done. And that’s when things start to get interesting…"
What is the cheapest month to go on a cruise?
"Finding the best time of the year to go on a cruise and get the cheapest price is all about timing. Regardless of which ship, itinerary or stateroom type you are interested in, the key is about when you elect to go and when you book the cruise. All cruise cost factors being equal, the cheapest time to go on a cruise is when most others are busy or unwilling to go on that same sailing. Most cruisers make a decision to go on a particular cruise based on their schedule at home, primarily related to their work or school schedule. Cruises that sail during times of the year when most kids are in school, or employers typically do not provide time off to their employees are the perfect time to snag a great deal on a cruise.
I will share good times of the year to consider cruises for many itineraries, but the common theme you will find among all of them is they are during times of the year when most families are not interested in cruising."
AIDA Cruises pushes back planned restart, will not sail until November
"German line AIDA Cruises, a subsidiary of cruise giant Carnival Corp., has pushed back its restart date to Nov. 1. The cruise line canceled its previously scheduled September and October cruises and has updated its schedule for fall and winter, according to a release provided by Roger Frizzell, spokesperson for Carnival Corp. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, "the conditions are currently not in place" to sail again in Germany's neighboring countries, the line said, referencing Norway, Denmark and the Baltic States specifically. Additionally, the line said, Germany has issued travel warnings for some other countries while others have closed ports to cruise ships until 2021."
Viking Crew appointed as Scenic Eclipse yacht’s Crew Manager
"Viking Crew, part of Viking Maritime Group was appointed as the Crew Manager of the new discovery yacht Scenic Eclipse, commencing management from August 19. Scenic Eclipse launched in 2019 and is part of the wider Scenic Group. Viking Crew's appointment as the crew manager adds to the portfolio of international clients of the company within the cruise and superyacht sectors of the industry. The Scenic Eclipse yacht will make full use of Viking Crew services across Management, Deployment, and Placement, as Viking Crew is responsible for the international Officers & Crew across Engine, Hotel, and Deck. Scenic Eclipse will utilize the facilities at Maritime Skills Academy and place cadets onboard via Chiltern Maritime - part of Viking Maritime Group."
Beginning of the End of our Cruise Season as Princess, Royal Caribbean, Cunard, P&O and Carnival Extend Pauses
"This week, we should have been looking forward to the start of Australia’s summer cruise season, with a rash of announcements about new itineraries, facilities, ports and vessels. Instead, we’ve seen all the major lines put back the start of cruising – and one line moving to next year. Carnival Corporation, the parent company of P&O, Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America and Cunard, has announced cancellations until May 16 2021 at the latest and December 2 at the earliest. Royal Caribbean also announced it won’t be sailing in Australian waters before November 1. Cunard, who made their announcement earlier this week, has pushed their cancellations the longest – providing three different dates for their three ships. We won’t expect to see Queen Elizabeth return to Australian shores before March 25, 2021."
Why Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and Norwegian Cruise Line Stocks Roared Back to Life This Morning
"Who would've thunk it? Abbott Laboratories' (NYSE: ABT "fast, $5, 15-minute, easy-to-use COVID-19 test" is music to stock investors' ears -- and cruise stock investors in particular are cheering. This morning, pharmaceutical giant Abbott announced that the FDA has granted emergency use authorization for healthcare providers to use its new "rapid, reliable, highly portable, and affordable" on-site test for the novel coronavirus. In just 15 minutes, the test can tell you if you have contracted the novel coronavirus -- and deliver the results straight to your iPhone or Android phone. Shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises (NYSE: RCL) stock are up 4.8% in response as of 10:30 a.m. EDT. Carnival Corporation (NYSE: CCL) is up 5.7%, and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NYSE: NCLH) shares are gaining 6.7%."
Interest in International Cruise Travel In 2021 Increasing, Allianz Says
"While the pandemic has people staying closer to home these days, the outlook for traveling abroad by cruise ship looks promising in 2021, according to recent findings from travel insurance and assistance company Allianz Partners. After analyzing more than 1,000 survey responses from customers who purchased its U.S. travel insurance products through travel advisors and other retail distribution partners, Allianz found that among retail customers who don’t plan to travel this year, many are planning to book international travel in 2021 and many of those international travelers will choose to cruise. According to the Allianz data, 60 percent of its retail customers who say they won’t travel until 2021, plan to visit an international destination for their next trip—with 20 percent of those retail customers indicating that they will sail on a cruise ship."
MSC Cruises and Fincantieri float out MSC Seashore
"MSC Cruises’ MSC Seashore has been floated out at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, moving to a wet dock to allow for work on her interior. MSC Seashore is the third ship in the Seaside-class and will be the cruise line’s longest vessel at 339 metres when launched. As the first Seaside Evo ship, she has received significant changes compared to her sister ships MSC Seaside and MSC Seaview, including newly designed public spaces, more cabins and a higher ratio of outdoor space per guest. “The float out has always been one of the most satisfying moments for those involved in the construction of a ship,” said Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. “It is also the occasion to further strengthen everyone’s commitment, because when the ship touches the sea a lot of work has already been done, but much more still lies ahead. This applies even more to MSC Seashore, a record-breaking ship that focuses on innovation, technology and design.” "
Princess Cruises announces big changes to cruise operations
"Princess Cruises, owned by Carnival Corporation, has made two big new announcements regarding its cruise programme. The cruise line revealed today (27 August) that it is extending the pause of its operations in Australia, only restarting on 12 December. This includes cruises throughout Australia and New Zealand. Just hours before the announcement, the cruise line also revealed it has cancelled its early 2021 world cruises. Both changes are a direct result of the restrictions and limitations with border and port access all across the globe – due to the coronavirus pandemic. Early 2021 world cruises and circle South America cruises on two ships have been affected: Island Princess ‘2021 world cruise from North America and Pacific Princess‘ 2021 Circle South America cruise from Australia. All associated segment and repositioning cruises are also cancelled."
A Cruise Ship History: The Horizon
"Built for Celebrity Cruises, the Horizon now appears to be wrapping up her cruise career. With a colorful history, the vessel has been around for more than 30 years, sailing for several cruise lines…"
Fleet Retrospective: Cunard and Seabourn 2000 Cruise Ship Lineup
"Cunard Line and Seabourn had a fleet ranging from luxury small ships to the majestic Queen Elizabeth 2 in the year 2000, making it one of the most diverse company fleets at the turn of the century."
Costa Cruises to resume cruising from Italy in September
"Costa Cruises to gradually restart operations from Italian ports on 6 September following the Italian Government’s approval for the resumption of cruising in the country. Costa Deliziosa will be the first ship to set sail on 6 September, offering a total of four cruises from Trieste to ports in Italy. Meanwhile, Costa Diadema will restart operations on 19 September and sail a seven-day cruise from Genoa to destinations in Italy. The itineraries can only be booked by Italian passengers, taking into account a regulation issued by the Italian Ministry of Health regarding mandatory checks for travellers returning from some European and foreign destinations. The cruise line will protect the health and safety of its guests, crew and local communities by rolling out its new Costa Safety Protocol, which includes new operating procedures designed to prevent the spread of Covid-19."
Still a chance US cruising could resume in 2020, Donald says
"With seemingly no end to coronavirus community spread stateside, prospects for US-based cruising in 2020 appear to grow dimmer by the day. But Arnold Donald isn't ruling it out. 'It's definitely possible we could sail again in 2020 from the US,' said Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corp. & plc, in a one-to-one interview with Seatrade Cruise News. 'If you go back just two or three months, who would have thought there would be any possibility of cruising in Italy? ... Now Italy is cruising again. They've mitigated the spread. Society is starting to move about. Is it too soon? Is it premature? Is it perfect timing? We'll all know that a month or two from now." "
Another Cruise Line Throws in the Towel on Cruises in 2020
"Another cruise line has canceled all remaining cruises in 2020 and is now planning on resuming cruises sometime in 2021. Windstar Cruises announced this past week that they have canceled all remaining cruises this year. The cruise line that they believe that the most prudent way forward to keep their crew and guests safe is to postpone sailings until 2021."
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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