Top Headlines

Exclusive: Carnival's Burke talks crew repatriation

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 31 May 2020 31 May 2020

In the latest in our series of industry executives’ takes on news in cruise, CruiseBusiness.com contributor Fran Golden had a chance to catch up with Bill Burke this week and learn the latest on crew repatriation.

Written by Fran Golden.

With cruise travel at a standstill around the world as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, major cruise companies have been sending their ships to help repatriate crew to their home countries. At the same time, with commercial air currently unavailable to some places, the lines have chartered hundreds of flights to get crew to their homes around the world.

So why are an estimated 100,000 crew members who are healthy and free of COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus, still out at sea? It’s a complicated question that has the cruise lines throughout the industry encountering substantial obstacles along the way.

“There are so many challenges,” says Bill Burke, chief maritime officer for Carnival Corporation, whose nine brands include Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises. “We are working hard to repatriate our crew members to more than 130 countries, in a unique set of circumstances.”


In their crew repatriation efforts, cruise companies are dealing with requirements that vary country by country, in an environment that is constantly changing. Quarantine, testing and entry requirements are being written, updated, sometimes even reversed, and in some cases don’t align with country capacities to deliver on the requirements.

In the Philippines, issues with test results and certification have delayed for several weeks repatriation of some 24,000 Filipino workers, including thousands who work in the cruise industry, prompting Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte to step in last week to expedite the process.

Some crew live in countries where borders have been closed to ships or air or both, further complicating matters. When they do set foot on land, crew may be subject to further quarantine and may find that they are not allowed to use public transportation or enter airport terminals to get to their own cities.


Carnival Corporation has moved 42,000 crew members back home. As of May 29, another 38,000 crew from Carnival Corporation’s nine brands are still waiting to return to their home countries. The company has 49 ships (out of its fleet of 105) currently at sea carrying crew home, with stops at different countries along the way.

So far, the company’s ships have traveled more than 400,000 nautical miles for crew repatriation with approximately 100,000 more to go, Burke tells Cruisebusiness.com.

Carnival Corporation’s repatriation efforts, which began after the cruise industry voluntarily paused operations on March 13, have cost more than $100 million, according to Burke, who adds the company is committed to covering the costs and having dedicated teams working to manage the logistics.

He’s aware that being stuck shipboard in the midst of a crisis is beyond frustrating for those onboard the ships. “We are concerned about the physical health of our crews, certainly, but we’re also concerned about the mental health,” Burke says. “We place great value on the health, safety and well-being of our colleagues at sea, and we are doing everything we can to take care of them during this very unusual situation.”

On that note, the company has taken steps to make things easier for the remaining crews onboard the ships. Most are staying alone in guest cabins, many with a window or balcony. They have access to fresh air, movies and the Internet, which makes it possible for crew members to stay in touch with their family and friends. They also have access to counseling. Still, Burke says, “I think some people outside the cruise industry feel like being on a ship, and in some cases confined to your cabin, is no different than sheltering in place in your home. It is quite different. It’s not like Miami Beach where you can go out for a walk or a bike ride on the boardwalk.”

With his team at Carnival Corporation’s Fleet Operations Center in Miami, and teams at each of the company’s nine brands, Burke says more than 200 land-based personnel have been working to get crew home. “We’ve said your job is to go work on this,” Burke explains. “We have had people focused on this now for four months.”

Among industrywide developments in the past couple of weeks, Jamaica, Haiti and the Turks & Caicos have allowed ship crew to return home. India and Indonesia have opened to returning crew. The stranded Filipino crew are expected to return home this week, if all goes as planned.

Carnival Corporation has some 20 ships in Manila Bay, filled with thousands of crew members awaiting repatriation. After disembarking Filipino crew in Manila, some of the ships will continue on to Indonesia and India, to do the same. Similarly, hundreds of planes chartered by the company are doing legs, operating like buses stopping in several countries to disembark crew along the way.

Burke says he expects to get all crew returned home by the end of June. In addition to those being repatriated, some 12,000 crew will remain on the company’s ships, a safe manning team of about 120 per ship, to make sure each vessel “runs safely, smoothly and in compliance with national and international regulations.”


Emails, letters and messages coming from around the world indicate success stories.

“There are also those who have expressed frustration and we share their frustration, but we have tried to explain that we are not in full control of the circumstances and that we’re doing everything we can while complying with the rules of all of the home nations,” Burke says. “But there are also many crew members who have written to express their appreciation of the tremendous efforts our teams have made to get them home and the way they were well looked after. That means a great deal to all of us involved in this effort, and we won’t rest until all of our crew members are back home.”

Canada bans large cruise ships until end of October

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 29 May 2020 29 May 2020

The Government of Canada continues to monitor the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impacts it is having on the marine and tourism sectors. Keeping Canadians and transportation workers safe during the COVID-19 pandemic is Transport Canada’s top priority.

Today, the Minister of Transport, Marc Garneau, announced updated measures pertaining to cruise ships and passenger vessels in Canadian waters.

Cruise ships with overnight accommodations allowed to carry more than 100 persons are prohibited from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020. As of July 1, 2020, all other passenger vessels must follow provincial, territorial, local and regional health authority requirements for timelines and processes to resume operations.

Passenger vessels with the capacity to carry more than 12 persons continue to be prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters (including Nunatsiavut, Nunavik and the Labrador Coast) until October 31, 2020.

Beginning July 1, 2020, passenger vessels will be allowed to operate in inland rivers and lakes in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut and Yukon.

Essential passenger vessels, such as ferries and water taxis, should continue to operate using mitigation measures. These could include reducing the number of passengers or using alternative practices such as keeping people in their vehicles, when safe to do so, or enhanced cleaning and hygiene measures to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19.
Quotes

“Our Government is committed to protecting Canadians, particularly during these challenging times. It is for that reason I am announcing updated measures for cruise ships and other passenger vessels in Canada, which includes prohibiting larger cruise ships from operating in Canadian waters until October 31, 2020. Our Government continues to work with other levels of government, transportation industry stakeholders, and Indigenous peoples to re-examine measures and to ensure Canada’s transportation system remains safe and secure during this time. We are all in this together," Minister Garneau said.

SeaDream Yacht Club to sail to Norway in June 2020

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 28 May 2020 28 May 2020

After pausing voyages in March, SeaDream Yacht Club has revealed plans to begin sailing in Norway in June 2020. SeaDream Yacht Club announced today it is now accepting reservations for 9 new 2020 Norwegian voyages. The newly unveiled voyages, kicking off June 2020 through September, include hand-picked destinations by SeaDream’s Norwegian founder and owner, Atle Brynestad.

As the COVID-19 pandemic developed, SeaDream was able to avoid contamination thanks to stringent sanitation procedures, excellent medical infrastructure on board, and the crew’s professionalism. However, the company decided to pause operations because of travel restrictions. The Yachts were repositioned to Lisbon where the crew choosing to stay on board have been busy doing maintenance and upgrades. The installation of a basketball hoop by the pool deck, yoga, and other activities have kept them busy and active. The Chefs have spent the time coming up with new dishes, and the deck crew has painted, replaced the teak deck, and performed other maintenance tasks without inconveniencing guests onboard.

For almost 20 years, SeaDream has set its own standards when it comes to service and cleanliness. This has allowed the company to promptly resume sailing safely. SeaDream continues to closely monitor the global health and travel restrictions with the agility to adapt our itineraries as needed.

“It has been very apparent from our frequent video calls with the onboard teams that without our guests, the yachts are simply not the same and that the crew genuinely miss serving our loyal guests,” said SeaDream’s Andreas Brynestad. While SeaDream usually operates in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, the Yachts have been to Norway before. But this time they are going further north past the Arctic Circle so that guests can experience the midnight sun, the spectacular Lofoten Fjords, and Tromsø. “We believe that there is no better way to experience Norway this summer than onboard SeaDream. We know our guests will enjoy the SeaDream experience of casual elegance and gourmet dining accompanied by the most beautiful backdrop in the world. Our yachts offer a naturally healthy, outdoor environment where space, fresh air, and healthy food have always been a central component. We are so excited to be back doing what we do best – bringing our signature SeaDream service to our loyal guests.” said Andreas Brynestad.
The newly-announced voyages include two options: a 7-day voyage to Bergen and a 12-day voyage with 3 days in Lofoten, one of Norway’s premier destinations. SeaDream’s voyages are unlike any other luxury travel experience. With an onboard lifestyle that exemplifies casual yachting, SeaDream sails to some of the region’s smallest ports and harbors, affording guests the opportunity to feel as if they are on their own private escape.

Norwegian itinerary highlights include:

– Bergen – Known to Norwegians as “the Heart of the Fjords”, Bergen is the second-largest city in Norway. Two 7-day voyages will embark in Bergen and disembark in Oslo, with a third voyage embarking in Oslo and disembarking in Bergen. Additionally, all six of the 12-day voyages will offer opportunities to explore Bergen’s houses on hillsides, cobblestone alleys, and world-renowned gastronomy.
– Olden – A small village located at the mouth of the Oldeelva river, Olden is Norway’s gateway to the glaciers. SeaDream guests will have the opportunity to explore its steep mountains and roaring waterfalls as well as many historic sites on all nine voyages.
– Ålesund - SeaDream guests will delight in the Art Nouveau architecture and scenic landscapes of this town which stretches across several islands in the Atlantic Ocean. This destination is included in all nine of SeaDream’s new Norwegian itineraries.
– Lofoten – A long-beloved summer destination for Norwegians, the Lofoten Islands are draped across the Norwegian Sea, far above the Arctic Circle. SeaDream guests onboard the 12-day voyages will enjoy 3 days in Lofoten filled with unforgettable views of majestic mountains, breathtaking fjords, and surf-swept beaches while basking in up to 24 hours of sunlight per day.
– Additional new ports in the new itineraries include Geiranger, Flam, Rosendal, Skagen, Rorvk, and Tromso.

These new Norwegian voyages will be enhanced by an expansive selection of new and exciting Yachting Land Adventures to ensure guests have the opportunity to experience the best each port has to offer with one-of-a-kind adventures.
The SeaDream experience is known for its personalized, award-winning service, 5-star cuisine, intimate ports and exceptional onboard features such as the Balinese Dream Beds to sleep under the stars and the Watersports Marina complete with water toys for the perfect yachting vacation.

Brodosplit launches Quark Expedition's polar newbuild Ultramarine

Details

Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 27 May 2020 27 May 2020

Brodosplit and Quark Expeditions marked a major milestone last week in the construction of its technologically-advanced polar vessel, Ultramarine, with a traditional launch ceremon.

Tomislav Debeljak, owner and CEO of the DIV Group, which includes Brodosplit, the largest shipyard in Croatia, was joined by shipyard godmother Andrea Mutak (from the Split-based children’s charity Udruga Andeli – Association of Angels), dignitaries and Brodosplit employees as Ultramarine – built specifically for polar travel – entered the water for the very first time.

“Today’s launch ceremony is a time-honored shipyard tradition,” said Andrew White, President, Quark Expeditions. “That very moment when ‘ship first meets water’ is a major milestone for any vessel. The sound of Ultramarine’s hull entering the water from slipway No. 2 into Supaval Bay signified we’re one step closer to exploring the polar regions on this game-changing ship. But, of course, it’s not just any ship that we’re celebrating today – but a ship built specifically for polar exploration. Ultramarine will be an unrivalled operational base for exploring the polar regions in ways never thought possible.”

“While the star of today is Ultramarine, the ceremony also honors a cast of people without whom this vessel would never exist: the Brodosplit shipyard team,” says White. “Following a tradition that goes back to earlier times, a shipyard godmother – different from the godmother who eventually christens the ship – is chosen for this ‘working launch.’ Traditionally, this godmother has an affiliation with the shipyard community, which is important to us because today’s launch is our way of celebrating the community of engineers, naval architects, welders, structural fabricators, riggers, electricians and all of the other shipyard crew who had a hand in the launch of this expedition vessel–which will change the way we explore the Polar Regions.”

Andrea Mutak was chosen as shipyard godmother because of her work with Udruga Andeli (Association of Angels), a community organization in Split that supports children with severe physical and developmental disabilities. “It was an incredibly proud moment for all of us at Quark Expeditions as the shipyard godmother cut the rope and released Ultramarine into the waters of Supaval Bay, on the Split Peninsula.”

“The launch of any ship is complex and once underway, uncontrolled until the vessel is attached to tugs standing by,” says Malcolm Ellis, Senior Vice-President, Operations for Quark Expeditions. “The total time involved from trigger release until the vessel is stopped in the water is little more than a minute or two. Yet, the potential for damage in that time period is greater than at any time during the ship’s many years of service. The stress placed on a vessel during launch is probably the highest it will experience in its lifetime. No rehearsal is possible.”

The 199-passenger Ultramarine features two twin-engine helicopters, 20 quick-launching Zodiacs, the most robust portfolio of off-ship adventure options in the entire industry (including heli-skiing, alpine kayaking and heli-hiking), superior onboard comfort and unparalleled amenities (including a sauna with floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto the polar landscape), spacious spa-inspired suites, advanced sustainability systems, and a unique interior design that keeps guests connected to the breathtaking polar landscapes outside while they relax inside. Guests will enjoy breathtaking public spaces and more outdoor wildlife viewing spaces than other expedition ships its size.