Seatrade launches new virtual series offering insights towards new era of cruising

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 24 July 2020 24 July 2020

Seatrade Cruise launches Seatrade Cruise Talks – a series of virtual conversations, webinars and podcasts discussing issues impacting the cruise community. The weekly series features expert perspectives from global leaders in maritime, as well as parallel industries, including ports and destinations, technology and sustainability.

“Based on feedback from our community, we wanted to create a virtual space that would allow us to bring together thought leaders and decision makers to exchange information and insights on major topics of interest, such as the impact of COVID-19,” says Chiara Giorgi, Global Brand and Event Director for Seatrade Cruise. “We are happy to see that it’s being really well-received – we are already seeing up to 500 people joining our live webinars and feedback has been very positive. As interest grows, our team is continuing to work closely with key influencers to develop content and deliver fresh programming each week.”

Seatrade Cruise’s new virtual content is available to watch, listen and subscribe through various digital channels.

Upcoming live sessions:

– 30 July | Strategies for the Manufacturer and Supplier Community During COVID-19. Host and moderator Ryan Stana, CEO of RWS Entertainment, leads a panel of key suppliers and manufacturers of the cruise industry to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the supply chain.
– 6 August | COVID19's Impact on Cruise Operations Finale. Focusing on the hot topics most important to the entertainment and hotel operations industries, panelists will explore best practices from other industries, financial preparedness, the future of travel and more.
– 13 August | Design in a Pandemic. Seatrade Cruise Design Ambassador Ayesha Khan leads expert panelists to discuss how the pandemic has impacted demand for cruise ship design firms and how firms are crafting ingenious design solutions for ships, to ensure extra hygiene and safety are at the forefront.
– 20 August | Cruise Development for Destinations (Episode 1). This four-part series will provide essential insight into how destinations can thrive in the world of cruising. In episode one, guest panelist Timothy Littley – Senior Director, Deployment & Itinerary Planning at Seabourne Cruise Line, explains the key to achieving the destination “it” factor. Series topics include cruise ship operations, cruise market segments, itinerary planning, and more. Next episodes scheduled for September 3 and 17, respectively.
– 3 September | Design in a Pandemic (Episode 2). To conclude the two-part series, Seatrade Design Ambassador Ayesha Khan yields the floor to the shipbuilding experts from major brands including Royal Caribbean, Silversea, and Virgin Voyages to discuss innovative ways of creating smart, safe designs for ships that accommodate to new travel standards.
Podcasts

Hosted by Seatrade Cruise News editors Anne Kalosh, Mary Bond and Holly Payne, the Seatrade Cruise Talks podcast explores the changing cruise landscape with a line-up of special guests. Each 30-minute episode features one-on-one conversations with industry professionals giving listeners firsthand insight as they delve into a variety of timely topics. Notable upcoming sessions include an IT series focused on the impact of COVID-19 and technology’s role in moving the industry forward.

Viking's 2021-2022 World Cruise to call in 56 ports in 27 countries

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 23 July 2020 23 July 2020

Viking has announced its new 2021-2022 Viking World Cruise, which will span 136 days, 27 countries and 56 ports, with overnight stays in 11 iconic cities. Setting sail on December 24, 2021, from Fort Lauderdale, the itinerary will include three new ports of call for Viking, including Phillip Island and Eden, Australia, as well as Yangon, Myanmar.

Sailing on Viking’s award-winning 930-guest Viking Star®, the epic voyage will explore ports of call in Central America; transit through the Panama Canal; journey up the West Coast of North America before crossing the Pacific Ocean and calling upon Hawaii; traverse New Zealand and Australia; and sail through Asia, the Middle East and the Mediterranean before concluding in London. Guests may also choose a shorter, 119-day portion of the sailing, 2022 Viking World Horizons, which departs from Los Angeles on January 10, 2022 and visits 22 countries and 49 ports before ending in London. All Viking World Cruise guests will also receive the complimentary option to remain on board for three additional days and disembark in the ship’s home port of Bergen, Norway.

“For more than 20 years, we have been committed to providing our guests with immersive and culturally enriching experiences while traveling the world in comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “This has been an unusual year for all travelers, but we remain focused on the future and are pleased to offer our guests a new destination-focused World Cruise that allows for extensive exploration in 2021-2022.”

Princess Cruises extends pause of select global ship operations until December 15

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 23 July 2020 23 July 2020

Due to the continued progression of COVID-19 and related decisions of various government, health authorities, and airlines regarding travel restrictions, Princess Cruises is extending its pause in cruise operations impacting the following voyages:

– All cruises sailing in and out of Australia on Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sea Princess, and Sun Princess through October 31, 2020

– All sailings in Asia, Caribbean, California Coast, Hawaii, Mexico, Panama Canal, South America & Antarctica, Japan, and Tahiti/South Pacific through December 15, 2020

“We share in our guests’ disappointment in cancelling these cruises,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “We look forward to the days when we can return to travel and the happiness it brings to all who cruise.”

Guests currently booked on these cancelled voyages who have paid Princess in full will have the option to receive a refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 25% of the cruise fare.

For guests who have not paid in full, Princess will Double the Deposit, providing a refundable FCC for the money currently on deposit plus a matching bonus FCC that can be used on any voyage through May 1, 2022. The matching bonus FCC is non-refundable, will not exceed the base cruise fare amount of the currently booked cruise, and will have a minimum value of $100 per person.

To receive the above FCCs, no action is required by the guest or their travel advisor.

Princess will protect travel advisor commissions on bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success.

Cruise ship engine builders prepare for challenging, changing world

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 22 July 2020 22 July 2020

Two major cruise ship engine builders have said that they expect the near future to remain challenging in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic and the world may emerge different from what it is today once the effects of the pandemic have become a matter of the past.

“We need to prepare ourselves for a market environment that will remain difficult for a long period of time,” said Dr. Uwe Lauber, CEO of MAN Energy Solutions said in a statement in which the company unveiled a programme to cut costs by €450 million.

“Some of the company’s key areas of business, such as the cruise ship business, have been directly affected by the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and we do not expect to see a recovery to precrisis levels until 2023. The programme is designed to address these negative market influences and make lasting improvements to MAN Energy Solutions’ ability to respond to market fluctuations,” he continued.

Meanwhile, the Finnish technology group Wartsila pointed out in its second quarter 2020 interim report that the cruise and ferry segment has been severely impacted by reduced sailings and temporary vessel lay-ups, as travel bans and other mitigation measures have kept most passenger vessels idle throughout the second quarter.

“Governments worldwide have announced relief packages to respond to the economic distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. In many cases, the packages are linked to the development of greener infrastructures,” the company said.

“This is anticipated to incentivise the decarbonisation of the maritime sector, and increase interest in alternative fuels, electric and hybrid-battery propulsion, as well as in digital solutions across the industry,” Wartsila pointed out.