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Canada bans cruise vessels, pleasure craft for one year

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 05 February 2021 05 February 2021

The Government of Canada continues to monitor the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it is having on the marine and tourism sectors. Keeping Canadians and transportation workers safe and healthy are top priorities for Transport Canada.

On February 4, the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Omar Alghabra, announced two new Interim Orders, which prohibit pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022. This means:

– Adventure-seeking pleasure craft are still prohibited from entering Arctic waters.
– Passenger vessels carrying more than 12 people are still prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters, including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik, and the Labrador Coast.
– Cruise vessels carrying more than 100 people are still prohibited from operating in Canadian waters.

Pleasure craft used by local Arctic residents will not be affected by these measures.

With these prohibitions in place, public health authorities will be able to continue focusing on the most pressing issues, including the vaccine rollout and new Covid-19 variants.

To limit the spread of Covid-19, the Government of Canada continues to advise Canadian citizens and permanent residents to avoid all travel on cruise ships outside Canada until further notice.

Essential passenger vessels, such as ferries and water taxis, should continue to follow local public health guidance and protocols, and follow mitigation measures to reduce the spread of Covid-19 and prevent future outbreaks. These could include: reducing the number of passengers, ensuring physical distancing, the wearing of masks, and enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures.

Cruise vessels in Canadian waters pose a risk to our health care systems. The Government of Canada will continue to evaluate the situation and make changes as necessary to ensure the health and safety of all Canadians. Should the Covid-19 pandemic sufficiently improve to allow the resumption of these activities, the Minister of Transport has the ability to rescind the Interim Orders.

Fincantieri lays keel for eighth Viking Cruises newbuilding

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 February 2021 04 February 2021

Fincantieri, the Italian shipbuilder, has laid keel of Viking Mars, which is the eighth vessel in a series of 16 similar ships for Viking Ocean Cruises.

The 47,800 gross ton ship is being built at the Ancona yard and it will be able accommodate 930 passengers. It is due to enter service in 2022.

Deliveries of the series are scheduled to continue until 2027, with a further eight vessels to be built. The first unit in the class, Viking Star, was built in 2015.

MSC Cruises plans to resume MSC Magnifica cruises 29 April

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 February 2021 04 February 2021

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise shipping company, said that it plans to resume cruises of MSC Magnifica on 29 April instead of the previously planned restart date of 14 February.

All cruises of the ship between those dates have been cancelled.

“MSC Magnifica will thus be replaced for voyages to the Eastern Mediterranean, including Greece, during the Easter period and throughout the summer season,” the company said in a statement.

The company said it is working closely with the Greek Ministry of Tourism and other relevant authorities for the reopening of local tourist services in time to serve cruise passengers visiting Greece starting with the upcoming Easter holiday period.

Fred Olsen Cruise Lines pushes restart to end of June

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 04 February 2021 04 February 2021

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destination focused operator of four ships, has confirmed that it is cancelling all sailings until the end of June 2021 in light of the current restrictions in England as a result of the pandemic, the company said in a statement.

The company had been due to resume sailing on 22 May, with the extension to affect 14 sailings.

All guests affected will be given a number of options, including a no quibble refund or an additional future cruise credit.

Peter Deer, Managing Director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said in the statement: “We are constantly reviewing our back in service dates in line with the latest Government guidance, and working closely with CLIA and other industry bodies towards a return to sailing."

“This extra time allows us the opportunity to fully understand how the roll-out in the vaccine affects the procedures we operate on board and ashore."

“We know that our guests are missing cruising, as indeed are we, and we can’t wait to welcome them all back on board when the time is right.”

Chantiers de l’Atlantique delivers MSC Virtuosa

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 01 February 2021 01 February 2021

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise shipping company, said it has taken delivery of MSC Virtuosa from the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France.

The ship is the second unit of the planned three strong Meraviglia Plus class and has a gross tonnage of about 177,100. It has capacity for 4,842 passengers and was built at a cost of USD850 million, according to Shippax Info.

MSC Virtuosa will enter service on 16 April, with four cruises in the Mediterranean of three, four and 10 nights before it will move to its new homeport of Kiel, where its will commence Northern Europe itineraries from 8 May.

The company will take delivery of one more ship this year, the 169,380 gross ton MSC Seashore, which is due to be delivered from Fincantieri in Italy in July.