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Cruise lines look alternative ways to offer Alaska vacations

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 March 2021 08 March 2021

While big cruise ships will not be able to visit Alaska in 2021, Sven-Olof Lindblad, chief executive officer of U.S.-flagged Lindblad Expeditions, says it will operate four vessels there this season.

Speaking at the Seatrade Cruise Virtual Expedition Cruising's State of the Expedition Cruise Industry today, Lindblad called for a suspension of the legislation that prevents foreign flag vessels from trading in US domestic trades as the Covid-19 pandemic is causing major disruption to the cruise industry in Alaska. However, he described the legislation as an “unmoveable rock” and noted that in the past, calls for its suspension or abolishment have not produced results.

The situation in the case of Alaska is complicated by the fact that the Canadian government in early February extended a ban for cruise ships carrying more than 100 passengers from operating in Canadian waters until the end of February 2022. Vancouver in British Columbia has traditionally served as either as a turnaround port, or together with the provincial capital Victoria as a port of call to allow foreign flag ships to operate cruises to Alaska.

In the meantime, two Carnival Corporation cruise lines will take an innovative, land-based approach to offering Alaska trips in the 2021 season. Princess Cruises and Holland America Line have decided to operate land tours in Alaska through Gray Line Alaska, Princess Alaska Lodges and Holland America Line's Westmark Hotels.

"We love Alaska, and we love that we get to share it with visitors from all over the world. We're committed to helping locals and visitors alike experience all the best parts of Alaska in a safe way," said Dave McGlothlin, Vice President, Tour Operations at Holland America Line. "For the last year, many people stayed close to home, so this summer, as we're able to reopen some of these land offerings, we are more ready than ever to welcome visitors back through our doors," he said in a statement.

Among the highlights for escorted tours will be the full eight-hour Tundra Wilderness Tour at Denali, where guests have opportunities to see the big five – grizzly bears, wolves, moose, caribou, and Dall sheep. Other included tours are the Portage Glacier Cruise near Anchorage and Riverboat Discovery excursion in Fairbanks. In addition, optional tours such as flightseeing around the mountain, river rafting, and more will be available to book at each hotel property.

In other news

Other panelists at today's State of the Expedition Cruise Industry, the first of a two day series of virtual panels and events, included Ponant's Herve Bellaiche, Abercrombie & Kent's Geoffrey Kent, Hurtigruten's Asta Lassesen and Silversea's Roberto Martinoli.

Martinoli shared an interesting economic insight. Despite their small size, expedition cruise ships can be highly profitable, he says, noting that they generate returns almost equal to those of mega cruise vessels, but they achieve this by higher per diems rather than by large volumes of passengers. In 2020, Silversea took delivery of its first-ever expedition newbuild. Silver Origin will sail year-round in the Galapagos.

Other panels sessions worth catching include Tuesday's line-up include Innovation in Expedition Ship Design https://seatradecruisevirtual.app.swapcard.com/event/seatrade-cruise-virtual-expedition/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMzA1NTEz

and Itinerary Planning and Shoreside Experience https://seatradecruisevirtual.app.swapcard.com/event/seatrade-cruise-virtual-expedition/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfMzA1NTE2

Virgin Voyages names its third newbuild

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 08 March 2021 08 March 2021

It’s International Women’s Day today (8 March) and Virgin Voyages is introducing a new lady to its fleet. Resilient Lady is the cruise line's third ship and is due to set sail in 2022.

The past year has been filled with adversity and adaptation for everyone – but it’s no secret that women have been challenged to rise up more than ever during the pandemic. Virgin Voyages is announcing Resilient Lady on International Women’s Day to symbolise the spirit of its Lady Ships, and to celebrate women and their achievements, strength, leadership and resilience.

Resilient Lady has a bright future ahead of her, as Virgin Voyages’ second ship to sail the Mediterranean (after her sister ship Valiant Lady).

“Sailing in the Med is such an extraordinary experience, and we’re so excited to bring the adventure of a Virgin Voyage to this beautiful place,” said Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group. “I’m so proud of the incredible work the team has accomplished to introduce Resilient Lady.”

Virgin Voyages will offer two different voyages on Resilient Lady in the Med:

– Greek Isles Itinerary: Sailors will get the opportunity to immerse themselves in Greek history and culture in Athens before island-hopping to Santorini, Rhodes, Crete and Mykonos. The Greek Isles itinerary will feature an overnight stay in Mykonos, offering Sailors a premier location and access to the picturesque promenade

– Adriatic (with Greek Isles) Itinerary: Sailing out of Athens, Sailors will spend their second day at sea before docking in Dubrovnik the following morning. With a 2am departure from Dubrovnik, Sailors will have plenty of time to experience the rich history of Croatia during the day and take part in the active nightlife along the Adriatic Sea, before scenic sailing to Kotor, Corfu and Argostoli

“Welcoming Resilient Lady to our fleet and revealing these amazing itineraries sets the tone for the most memorable summer voyage,” said Tom McAlpin, CEO and President of Virgin Voyages. “We know the time to travel is on the horizon, and Virgin Voyages is here so that we can keep dreaming of irresistible vacations ahead.”

Resilient Lady is due to set sail in summer 2022.

Adria Bono joins Swan Hellenic as Destination Management Director

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 March 2021 04 March 2021

Today, Wednesday the 4rd of March, Swan Hellenic announced that its top management was being strengthened with the arrival of Adria Bono, bringing the cultural expedition cruise leader the connections and insight of twenty years’ unrivalled high-end excursions design and commissioning expertise in the luxury and expedition cruise markets.

Joining as Destination Management Director, Adria will work closely with Director of Expedition Operations Pierre Thomas to ensure that the expert lecture, expedition and excursion facets of Swan Hellenic’s cultural expedition cruises complement and enhance one another to the highest standards, providing guests with an exceptionally complete, insightful and enriching experience.

With an increasingly strong management team of top names in the high-end cruise industry, growing local market partnerships to provide close customer care, and an order book of three custom-designed expedition cruise ships all due for delivery on schedule, Swan Hellenic is clearly on track to deliver on its promise of an entirely new high-end cruise experience. Public enthusiasm is reflected in strong bookings for its maiden season, launching year-end 2021.

“We’re absolutely delighted to welcome Adria to the team. With her tremendous focus on quality of guest experience and strong relationships with leading excursion partners worldwide, nobody could be better placed to ensure our guests enjoy unforgettably insightful explorations ashore, fully in tune Swan Hellenic’s pioneering heritage,” explained Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito.

Adria Bono commented: “I’m excited to join the dynamic, expert team bringing the Swan Hellenic vision of cultural expedition cruising to life across a distinctively stylish new five-star fleet. I look forward to contributing to the creation of a truly unique discovery experience.”

P&O Cruises to offer “staycation” cruises this summer

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 March 2021 03 March 2021

P&O Cruises, the UK focused contemporary market unit of Carnival Corporation & plc, said it would offer a series of short break and week-long UK cruises as “the ultimate escape” staycation this summer.

Staycation has emerged as a term to mean a holiday spent in the UK rather than by travelling abroad. The now unveiled cruises would go on sale later in March.

P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: “Following recent Government announcements and as the vaccine programme is rolled out across the globe we can all begin to feel a sense of reassurance and hope that this current lockdown period in the UK will come to an end. Life can, we hope, slowly return to some semblance of our previous normality as hospitality opens up and summer holidays can be booked with confidence.

“Whilst holidays here in the UK will be the first to become a reality we will, of course, gradually see the return of international travel but first we want guests to be able to enjoy a proper summer holiday at sea with the best in relaxation, entertainment and dining choice.

“These sailings will leave from our home port in Southampton and sail around UK coastal waters enjoying the summer sunshine. More details of dates, prices and the experience on board will be announced later this month, but they will, of course, all have flexibility so guests can book with confidence.

“We hope that the UK “ultimate escape” staycation option will have wide appeal and we will do our utmost to make it a very special time. There really will be something for everyone and the opportunity to spend precious and much-longed for time with family and friends.

“In order to offer these UK breaks it does mean that unfortunately we need to cancel some of our current published programme of holidays this summer. Cruises on Arcadia, Aurora, Azura and Ventura have been cancelled until the end of August and on Britannia and Iona until the end of September.

“We remain in very close contact with the UK Government and associated bodies as we monitor the latest situation and guidance on travel. From the moment we see travel restrictions lifting we will begin the significant logistical task to re-start our operations. It will take some time for the first ship to return to service, followed by the phased return of the remaining fleet. We cannot wait to welcome everyone back on board with the protection of effective protocols to safeguard the health and wellbeing of all crew and guests.

“I really am so sorry for the disappointment these cancellations will cause but hope that the new UK cruises will enable everyone to enjoy a wonderful holiday this summer.”

All guests whose cruises have been cancelled will automatically receive a Future Cruise Credit worth 125% of what they paid. This 125% Future Cruise Credit can be redeemed against any new booking made by the end of December 2021, on any cruise on sale at the time of booking.

Australia extends cruise standstill to 17 June

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 03 March 2021 03 March 2021

The Australian government said the human biosecurity emergency period under the Biosecurity Act 2015, which has been in place since 17 March 2020 will be extended by an additional three months until 17 June 2021.

“The Governor General has today declared the extension of the human biosecurity emergency period, which will ensure the Australian Government has the powers to take any necessary measures to continue to prevent and control COVID-19,” the Department of Health said in a statement.

“In particular, the Australian Government continues to work closely with state and territory agencies, national health committees and the cruise industry to develop a framework for the staged resumption of cruise ships in a manner that is proportionate to the public health risk,” it added.

Photo: Pacific Adventurer is one of the ships of P&O Cruises Australia