Another Week of Big Cruise News

Lot’s of cruise news to cover this week

Today, we’re getting caught up cruise news and industry updates from the last week, including the White House meeting with the cruise industry, more cruise suspensions, and some good news from Royal Caribbean, Princess and MSC cruise lines.

The White House has scheduled a conference call with the cruise industry today at 2pm. It’s expected that they will discuss the no sail order.

Cruiseradio.net says:

The cruise industry moved one step closer toward opening on Friday afternoon as Vice President Mike Pence had a conference call with cruise line leaders, along with officials at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control.

Today’s meeting was about mandatory testing for all crew and passengers, the resumption-of-cruise plans submitted to the CDC, along with lifting the no-sail order at the end of the month. The current no-sail order is set to expire on October 31.

Notes published by the White House said, “During the call, Vice President Pence gave a brief overview of the current state of the No Sail Order and highlighted the shared goal of reopening the maritime economy, with a focus on the cruise line industry safely sailing again.”

It continued, “HHS Secretary Azar and CDC Director Redfield touched on their commitment to the collaborative effort that produced the Healthy Sail Panel’s 74 recommendations, and the Federal government’s support of the industry to safely and responsibly sail again, but cautioned that the cruise industry would have to backstop their venture to resume operations.”

Reservations opened this week for Carnival Celebration! 

Good cruise news from Carnival this week. A sister to the line’s first XL-class ship, Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration will debut with an inaugural 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise Nov. 6, 2022, followed by the launch of year-round service from Port Miami Nov. 21, 2022.  She will sail week long Caribbean voyages. 

Royal Caribbean extended their cruise suspension through November

We expected this cruise news from Royal Caribbean. They extended their cruise suspension stating the following. “As we work with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and others toward this shared goal, Royal Caribbean Group will be extending the suspension of sailings to include those departing on or before Nov. 30, 2020, excluding sailings from Hong Kong.” Celebrity Cruises will also be suspending their full 2020/21 winter program in Australia and Asia. Additionally, Azamara will be suspending their 2020/21 winter sailings throughout Australia and New Zealand, South Africa and South America. 

HOWEVER, Royal Caribbean also announced they’d be resuming cruises from Singapore in December. Quantum of the Seas is scheduled to begin sailings. Another line, Dream Cruises World dream will ALSO resume cruises IN asia  this year, but in NOVEMBER!

ON those cruises from Singapore, Royal Caribbean blog is reporting that buffet dining will be a little different: Windjammer buffet will not be open for dinner while there is less capacity on board, and breakfast and lunch buffets will be served by crew. Reservations will also be recommended but not necessary.They are also holding off on restarting a few onboard activities like laser tag, parades, themed  parties and karaoke. 

Norwegian also extends pause

We also got this equally unsurprising cruise news from Norwegian. Here’s what NCL had to say about the extension. The safety, security and well-being of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our number one priority. We continue to closely monitor the COVID-19 coronavirus situation and the global health environment. With COVID-19 continuing to impact communities and ports around the globe, we have extended our voluntary temporary suspension of all voyages through November 2020 and cruises on Norwegian Star, Norwegian Spirit, and Norwegian Dawn through March 2021.

But let’s get into some good cruise news now.

Princess Cruises Announces First-Ever 2021 Summer Season Sailing to Mexico and California Coast Roundtrip from Los Angeles

• Mexican Riviera – seven-day cruises with stops in Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlán, offering guests gorgeous sun-drenched shores, rich history and delectable cuisine. Departure dates: May 15, June 12, June 26, July 31, August 14, September 18, 2021.
• Cabo San Lucas Getaway – five-day cruises with an overnight in Cabo San Lucas, the only overnight offered by a cruise line during the summer, and the opportunity to admire a view of El Arco and soak in the contemporary vibes of the artistic city. Departure dates: May 22, May 31, August 28, September 6, 2021.
• Classic California Coast – seven-day cruises with stops in San Francisco (late-night stay), San Diego (late-night stay), Catalina Island or Monterey, and Ensenada with the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to sail underneath the Golden Gate Bridge, sip handcrafted California wines, experience the beauty of the Monterey coastline off of famous Highway 1 and witness La Bufadora, one of the world’s largest blowholes in Ensenada. Departure dates: June 5, June 19, August 7, August 21, September 11, September 25, 2021.
• West Coast Getaway with San Diego – four-day cruises with a stop in San Diego (late-night stay) and options to visit the world-famous San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park and a second stop in Ensenada to experience the up-and-coming wine region. Departure dates: May 27, July 1, September 2, 2021.
• Alaska – 14-day cruises with calls to Alaska’s most iconic ports including: Ketchikan, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway and Sitka. Plus visit charming Prince Rupert and experience Hubbard Glacier, North America’s largest tidewater glacier. Departure dates: July 3, July 17, 2021.

MSC Cruises Receives RINA’s Biosafe Additional Class Notation

The Biosafe Ship, achieved by MSC Grandiosa, is a goal-based and voluntary notation that certifies that the ship is equipped with systems, components and has a layout and operational procedures that reduce infection risk.

MSC Grandiosa is currently on her eighth consecutive weekly cruise serving guests from the entire Schengen area. MSC Magnifica is scheduled to welcome back guests starting on October 19 for 10-night cruises across both the Western and Eastern Mediterranean. 

Mandatory testing is real

We already knew this was coming, but CLIA has formally announced that mandatory testing will be required for crew and passengers when cruising resumes, for ships over 250 passengers. CLIA states “this is a travel industry first”…and they see it as an important first step.

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