Viking to restart limited operations with domestic UK cruises

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 16 March 2021 16 March 2021

Viking announced today that it will restart limited operations in May 2021 with three special sailings along the coast of England. Available exclusively for UK residents, the new 7-night ocean itinerary – England’s Scenic Shores – will sail roundtrip from Portsmouth, with departures on May 22, May 29 and June 5, 2021. Guests on the England’s Scenic Shores itinerary will be among the first to sail on board Viking’s newest ocean ship, Viking Venus, which will be delivered in April. Pre-registration for England’s Scenic Shores is currently open only to Viking’s loyal past guests; more details about the voyages will be released – and reservations will be available to all UK residents – in due course.

Viking was the first cruise line to suspend operations at the beginning of the pandemic, and today’s update about the official restart was triggered because the UK Government recently signalled that it will allow the resumption of domestic cruises beginning in May 2021. All other previously scheduled Viking sailings through May 31, 2021 remain cancelled.

“We welcome the UK Government’s support for the return of safe domestic cruises as an important component in the travel industry’s recovery. In recognition of this support, and to celebrate the fact we have a British godmother – the esteemed broadcaster and journalist Anne Diamond – we have chosen to name our new ship, Viking Venus, in the UK on May 17,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We are in a position to restart operations quickly and to start sailing again in May because we have kept our ships crewed during warm lay-up throughout the past 12 months. We have been implementing our additional protocols, including daily quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests for our crew, for almost six months now. With our new protocol enhancements in place, we believe there will be no safer way to travel the world than on a Viking voyage and we look forward to welcoming UK guests back on board very soon.”

Those who sail these new voyages will also experience Viking’s industry-leading health and safety program. Grounded in scientific research, the Viking Health & Safety Program was developed in partnership with an international team of medical advisors, including Raquel C. Bono, M.D., Viking’s Chief Health Officer. Dr. Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy Medical Corps—and most recently led Washington State’s medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Utilizing a full-scale laboratory installed on every Viking ocean ship, all guests and crew will receive daily quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests. New air purification technology has also been installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms. And additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing measures will provide further protection for Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey.

Dream Cruises welcomes 100,000th passenger at Singapore's Marina Bay Cruise Centre

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 16 March 2021 16 March 2021

Dream Cruises and Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore (MBCCS) have welcomed Singapore’s 100,000th cruise passenger since the commencement of safe pilot cruises in the city. Starting with World Dream’s first sailing from 6 November 2020 has been a worry-free journey for guests aboard, with their health and safety being the number one priority for Dream Cruises.

As the lucky guest, Amin Abdul Rahim and his family were presented with a collection of prizes and goodies including an upgrade to The Palace suite accommodations for their upcoming voyage.

“My family and I were surprised and are extremely honoured to be the 100,000th cruise passenger as this is our first time on board World Dream. We had heard many good things about the cruise and we are especially looking forward to the Halal-certified cuisine which is so important to us. We are also excited about experiencing The Palace and we can't wait to share our experience with our family and friends,” said Rahim.

The Palace is the “all-inclusive, all-suite” luxury concept across the Dream Cruises fleet, featuring the charm of a boutique hotel with the exclusivity of a private clubhouse. Guests can indulge in an unprecedented level of service and comfort, with lavish dining experiences, a rich collection of enrichment activities, and all-inclusive privileges. The Palace elevates the luxury cruising experience into an art form.

With international travel currently restricted, Dream Cruises has been bringing the world on board World Dream with special themed Super Seacations that bring some of the most loved experiences from popular travel destinations to the ship. Guests can indulge in the best of cultural and gastronomic delights with the Rhythm of Korea until 31 March and Amazing Thailand from 31 March to 28 May.

“Having pioneered the safe pilot cruises in Singapore, we are excited to be part of this important milestone to celebrate Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore’s 100,000th cruise passenger since the program started and who sailed on World Dream on 12 March 2021. We hope to continue to welcome more Singapore residents aboard World Dream throughout the year,” said Michael Goh, President of Dream Cruises. “As a testament to our ongoing commitment to the safety and well-being of our guests and crew, we are also proud to announce that World Dream recently became the first cruise ship in the world to receive a 3-year Certification in Infection Prevention - Maritime (CIP-M) from DNV, complementing the CruiseSafe Certification by the Singapore Tourism Board and DNV.”

"SATS-Creuers is proud to welcome the 100,000th cruise passenger in this cruise pilot, marking a significant milestone in the resumption of cruising at MBCCS. Reaching this milestone is a testimony to the commitment of our colleagues and industry partners in cruise and healthcare to provide a safe cruising experience for all. We look forward to welcoming many more passengers at MBCCS in the future," said Lionel Wong, CEO of SATS-Creuers Cruise Services.

“This momentous occasion underscores the progress that Dream Cruises has made in charting a new course for safe cruising and regaining the confidence of passengers. We are pleased with the efforts made by the cruise lines to ensure continual vigilance and adherence to health measures onboard, so that cruising is as safe as the experiences on land. We will continue to work with the industry to advance the cause for cruise tourism in Singapore and the region,” said Annie Chang, Director, Cruise, Singapore Tourism Board.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines publishes 2022/23 itineraries

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 16 March 2021 16 March 2021

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destination focused cruise operator,  has unveiled a programme of cruising for 2022/23 as the line gears up for a return to sailing, with 126 voyages taking in 82 countries, with new regional departures from Belfast and London Tilbury.

The programme includes closer to home excursions around the British Isles and shorter, five-night breaks, with departures from eight UK ports – London Tilbury, Belfast, Portsmouth, Southampton, Dover, Liverpool, Newcastle and Edinburgh (Rosyth) – with a number of ex-UK sailings and fly-cruise options for those looking to venture further afield.

Several new ports of call

The Fred. Olsen fleet will sail into a number of maiden ports in 2022/23, including Hakata and Nagoya in Japan; Crotone, Gallipoli and Monopoli in Italy; Lyngdal in Norway and Louisbourg in Canada, to name a few.

There will also be another opportunity to relive history when Braemar returns to the narrow Corinth Canal in Greece in spring 2023.

Martin Lister, Head of Itinerary Planning and Destination Experience at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:“We are always incredibly proud to unveil our new cruise programmes, but this year it feels particularly exciting as it is the first time we will do so with our new look fleet.”

“Every year we craft our new itineraries from scratch to ensure that we continue to offer our guests exceptional experiences in the destinations they visit with us. This has felt even more important this year, with the past 12 months having left us all dreaming of our next adventures and really considering what we all want from our holidays.

“A big part of 2022 will be making the most of our beautiful British Isles, with scenic cruising just as rewarding as the wonderful ports of call.

“For those looking to set sail on a shorter cruise, there are plenty on offer, each with the opportunity to experience time ashore, entertainment-packed sea days and scenic cruising aplenty.

At home in the fjords

“Our ships really come into their own in the Norwegian fjords, and of course we are continuing to celebrate that. Aboard our smaller-sized fleet, guests will be able sail size-restricted waters, away from the well-sailed route, right into the heart of the fjordland. Plus, the northerly departure ports of Newcastle and Rosyth in Edinburgh are ideally placed to showcase them at their best in just five nights.

“But the shorter escapes are not just bound to Norway, with sailings to Belgium, France, Denmark and Spain available in six nights or less, with many of these sailings made possible by the impressive sailing speeds of our new ships, Bolette and Borealis.

“We also have some exceptional sailings further afield for those ready to explore the world again, taking in the autumnal beauty of Canada, rugged explorations of Spitsbergen, and even the chance to follow in the footsteps of Phileas Fogg with an 80-day around the world adventure.”

 

Highlights of Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ 2022/23 programme include:

 

Borealis’ eight-night S2215 ‘Scenic Isles of Scotland’ cruise, departing from Liverpool on 9th June and Belfast on 10th June 2022. Prices start from £1,299 per person.

Ports of call: Liverpool, England – Belfast, Northern Ireland – Rothesay, Isle of Bute – Cruising by Mull of Kintyre – Cruising by Duart Castle – Cruising Sound of Mull – Cruising by Fingals Cave – Cruising by Dutchman’s Cap – Cruising by The Small Isles – Portree, Isle of Skye – Invergordon, Scotland – Kirkwall, Orkney Islands – Liverpool, England (for Liverpool debarkation) – Belfast, Northern Ireland (for Belfast debarkation)

For more details: Visit S2215 ‘Scenic Isles of Scotland’ 

 

Balmoral’s five-night L2225 ‘Summertime Norwegian Fjords’ cruise, departing from Newcastle on 27th August 2022. Prices start from £799 per person.

Ports of call: Newcastle, England – Cruising Lysefjord, Norway – Bergen, Norway – Eidfjord, Norway – Cruising Hardangerfjord, Norway – Cruising Maurangerfjord and Furebergfoss, Norway – Newcastle, England

For more details: Visit L2225 ‘Summertime Norwegian Fjords’ 

 

Bolette’s 15-night T2229 ‘Ancient Walls of the Med with Malta’ cruise, departing from London Tilbury on 17th November 2022. Prices start from £1,899 per person.

Ports of call: London, UK – Melilla, Spanish Morocco, Spain – Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy – Valletta, Malta – Cartagena, Spain – Gibraltar – Lisbon, Portugal – Montoir-de-Bretagne, France – London, UK

For more details: Visit T2229 ‘Ancient Walls of the Med with Malta’ 

 

Braemar’s 10-night M2307 ‘Corinth Canal & Ancient Greece’ fly-cruise, departing from Valletta, Malta on 27th March 2023. Prices start from £2,199 per person.

Ports of call: Valletta, Malta – Ermoupoli, Greece – Rhodes, Greece – Agios Nikolaos, Crete – Piraeus (for Athens), Greece (overnight stay) – Cruising Corinth Canal, Greece – Argostoli, Kefallonia – Katakolon, Greece – Valletta, Malta

For more details: Visit M2307 ‘Corinth Canal & Ancient Greece’ 

 

Fred. Olsen has teased sailings from its 2022/23 programme over the past few weeks, including Balmoral’s 15-night ‘Rugged and Remote Spitsbergen’ cruise in June 2022; a 19-night ‘Canada in the Fall’ cruise aboard Borealis in September and a 27-night ‘Discovering the Adriatic’ cruise aboard Braemar in October.

P&O Cruises to resume UK cruising with two ships in the summer

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 16 March 2021 16 March 2021

 

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit in Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it would offer a series of short breaks on flagship Britannia this summer and week-long cruises on new ship Iona.

These cruises will depart from Southampton between June and September, sailing around the UK coast, “where the sun shines brightest,” the company said in a statement. 

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “Given recent announcements we have every hope that our guests will be able to enjoy a holiday this summer. After the stresses and challenges of the past year everyone certainly deserves a treat and this series of cruises will provide memorable and much needed UK getaways.”

“Whilst there is still uncertainty about holidays abroad this summer, we are delighted to be able to offer our guests the ultimate escape here in the UK with the reassurance that we will take care of everything. Also, we really will look at the weather forecast each cruise and aim to take our ships where it is warm and sunny.”

“As the start of Iona’s very special maiden season, the new Ultimate Escape series of holidays includes a memorable seven night maiden voyage sailing around the Scottish islands. Iona will anchor off Iona, the island after which she was named, with a celebratory extended stay until sunset for magical views of the historic shores.”

Britannia to resume cruising in June, Iona in August

Britannia will offer three and four night breaks and one six night holiday running from June 27, 2021 through to September 19, 2021. Iona offers seven night itineraries running from August 7, 2021 to September 18, 2021. Prices start from £449 per person for a three night break on Britannia. Iona’s seven night maiden voyage starts from £1,199 per person.

Given the advanced progress of the UK vaccination programme, and strong expressed preference on the part of our guests for this limited series of UK coastal cruises, these sailings on Britannia and Iona will be for UK resident Covid-19 vaccinated* guests only.

All guests and crew will be required to follow enhanced health and wellbeing measures to protect everyone on board on these cruises. These have been developed with guidance from our global medical and public health experts and scientists and in close coordination with UK government agencies.

These protocols include enhanced sanitation measures, appropriate social distancing and the wearing of masks in certain areas of the ship. Crew will also undergo a strict testing and quarantine regime as well as regular testing during their time on board.

“Our protocols are subject to change, as we will continue to work with our experts and with government bodies to ensure all of our practices evolve in line with latest advice, with our primary focus always being to protect the health and wellbeing of our crew and guests and the communities we visit.  Travel insurance will also be mandatory for all guests,” P&O Cruises said.