MSC Cruises underscored its readiness to resume sailing this week by announcing new and updated itineraries in the Mediterranean and across Europe onboard as many as 10 of its ships for this coming summer. MSC reports that it has transported over 60,000 guests sailing on the line’s ships in the Mediterranean since August 2020. The […]
Cruise
Crystal Symphony will sail from Antigua in August
As the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to enforce its Conditional Sail Order which has prevented cruising in U.S. waters, another offshore option has been announced by luxury line Crystal Cruises, whose Crystal Symphony will sail a series of 15 10-night Luxury Caribbean Escapes round-trip from St. John’s from a homeport in Antigua. Crystal Symphony will […]
Harding wins expanded retail contract for P&O Cruises and Cunard
Global cruise retail specialist Harding has signed a new expanded contract with P&O Cruises and Cunard to operate the retail concessions for all ships across the two fleets through 2027. The contract will span a five year period and follows a 20-year working relationship between the three companies. The award of this contract makes Harding […]
US. Senators battling CDC for cruise restart
A group of U.S. congressmen, supported by members of the cruise and tourism industries, are fighting back against the ongoing restrictions against cruising issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. On Tuesday, April 13, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced the Careful Resumption Under Improved Safety Enhancements (CRUISE) […]
Bermuda opens its first cruise home port as part of its strategic tourism recovery
Yet another island near the U.S. is grabbing its place in the cruising roster with Bermuda announcing that it would host Royal Caribbean International’s Vision of the Seas from June through August at its first ever home port. Sailing with vaccinated crew, the cruises – at this time – will be available to adult guests […]
Global Ports Holding provides critical partnership in developing Nassau as a home port
The cruise industry made positive waves in mid-March when luxury cruise brand Crystal Cruises announced it was launching a series of seven-night round-trip “Bahamas Escapes” voyages from Nassau. The line’s Crystal Serenity ship would homeport in Nassau, and visit Bimini and four other Bahama Islands, avoiding any U.S. ports. The response from the pubic was […]
Zachary Sulkes lands senior position with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH)
Zachary Sulkes, well known and respected from his many years in charge of Bacardi’s cruise business, has joined Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) as Beverage Category Manager, with responsibility for all beverage and tobacco purchasing on Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet of 17 ships. Sulkes has a long relationship with NCLH. He was Manager of Onboard […]
CLIA names MSC Cruises’ Pierfrancesco Vago as Global Chairman
MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago, has been appointed to a two-year term as Global Chairman of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). Vago will be the first European to serve in the role of CLIA Global Chairman, although he previously served as Chairman of CLIA Europe in 2014. Vago succeeds Adam Goldstein, who recently completed […]
MSC Cruises announces ambitious 2022 summer program
In a strong indication that the cruise channel is planning for better days ahead, MSC Cruises recently unveiled details of its Summer 2022 season. In what Adrian Pittaway, Head of Retail at MSC Cruises calls “a real game changer and a clear commitment to lead in the Chinese cruise market,” MSC Cruises also announced that […]
World Navigator to feature first at-sea luxury SeaSpa by L’Occitane
Atlas Ocean Voyages and L’Occitane en Provence will launch the first-at-sea Luxury SeaSpa by L’Occitane. The new SeaSpa by L’Occitane will be featured aboard World Navigator when the new ship launches her inaugural Holy Land and Black & Mediterranean Seas season in July 2021. Located on the main deck, Deck 4, the new 947 sq. ft. SeaSpa […]
Royal Caribbean Group to sell its Azamara brand to Sycamore Partners
Royal Caribbean Group on Tuesday announced that it has signed an agreement to sell Azamara, its small luxury brand of cruise ships, to Sycamore Partners, a private equity firm, for $201 million. Sycamore Partners will acquire the entire Azamara brand, including its three-ship fleet and associated intellectual property. The transaction is expected to close in […]
CLIA: Following a challenging year in 2020, new research shows there is resiliency and optimism heading into 2021
Trade organization Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has released the 2021 State of the Cruise Industry Outlook report which highlights the industry’s global economic impact, trend forecasts and the industry’s commitment to responsible tourism practices and leadership. Despite a challenging year in 2020, new research also reveals there is optimism on the horizon with two out of […]
Carnival Cruise Line takes delivery of Mardi Gras
Carnival Cruise Line took delivery of its highly anticipated new ship, Mardi Gras, in a live virtual signing ceremony at the Meyer Turku Shipyard in Turku, Finland on Dec. 18. When Mardi Gras begins guest operations in April 2021, the 180,000-gross-ton vessel will be the most innovative ship in North America as it will be the first ship to be powered by liquefied natural gas […]
CDC issues Conditional Sail protocol for safe resumption of cruise ship operations as it lifts No Sail order
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has lifted the ‘No Sail’ order that has been in effect since March 14, and issued a detailed set of requirements that will enable cruise ships to safely resume sailing from U.S. ports. Under the Conditional Sailing Order issued by the CDC on Oct. 30, cruise lines […]
CLIA and members commit to a return to passenger sailing with enhanced health and safety measures
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), which represents 95% of global ocean-going cruise capacity, issued the following statement in response to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Framework for Conditional Sailing Order that will replace the previous No Sail Order: “Guided by the recommendations of leading experts in health and science, including the Healthy […]
