Top Headlines

Canada to defer the start of cruise ship season until July 1

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 13 March 2020 13 March 2020

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a comprehensive $1 billion COVID-19 Response Fund in response to the pandemic. The Fund will help put in place the plans, infrastructure, and resources needed to protect the health and safety of all Canadians.

Canada’s Chief Public Health Officer has issued a formal health advisory, recommending that Canadians avoid going on cruise ships at this time. The health risk is for all the people touched by the cruise ship industry in Canada.

To further complement these measures, today the Minister of Transport, the Honourable Marc Garneau, announced the implementation of new measures pertaining to cruise ships in Canadian waters.

In 2019, Canada welcomed over 140 cruise ships that came to its shores directly from more than 10 different countries. The cruise industry brings at least 2 million travellers to its coasts annually.

As a response to COVID-19, the Government of Canada will defer the start of the cruise ship season in Canada, from April 2, 2020, to July 1, 2020, at the earliest. This deferral will apply to cruise ships capable of carrying more than 500 passengers and crew members.

Given the limited public health capacity in Canada’s Northern communities, the cruise ship season for vessels with Canadian Arctic stops will be deferred for the entire season this year. This would apply to cruise ships of all sizes.

While this measure does not apply to ferries or smaller vessels at this time, the Government of Canada is also developing an approach to ensure health measures are strengthened in all passenger vessels across Canada.

The Government of Canada recognizes that COVID-19 is having a major impact on the economy and communities across Canada. "We are continually assessing the risks of the COVID-19 based on science and evidence, and consulting with our government, industry and regional health partners. Further decisions on whether the season can resume on July 1, 2020, will be based on science and evidence in the best interests of the health and safety of Canadians," Transport Canada said in a statement.

The Government of Canada will continue to engage with the Tourism sector and regional partners to understand the effects of COVID-19 on local businesses and their employees.

These measures are part of a larger strategy the Government of Canada is implementing that prioritizes the health and safety of Canadians, ensures the capacity of the public health-care system, aligns Canada’s international and domestic approaches, and strives to mitigate the health and economic impacts in Canada.

Canadians who are planning to travel abroad are reminded to consult the Government of Canada’s Travel Advice and Advisories and register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service.

Seatrade Cruise Global 2020 to be postponed

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 13 March 2020 13 March 2020

A following statement was published today:

"As previously communicated, we have continuously reviewed the situation with regards to Seatrade Cruise Global in April 2020. Up until recently, the majority of industry feedback indicated that we should try to continue with the event as scheduled if possible. It’s clear now, however, that this is not possible due to the numerous globally imposed travel bans and the latest restrictions related to running events within Miami-Dade county, as well as the latest feedback we have received from many of you. We therefore confirm that Seatrade Cruise Global 2020 has been postponed and that we are working with our association partners and you, our customers on alternative options.

You can expect more information from the Seatrade Cruise Global team in the coming week to discuss your full range of options and address any questions you might have. We continue to work diligently to ensure all details are confirmed for our exhibitors, delegates and sponsors – we thank you for your continued support and patience with us through these challenging weeks.

These are unprecedented times as we look to reinvent and reposition our events to adapt accordingly, while still bringing you the dedicated platforms for meetings, collaboration and business generation. We will issue more details shortly as we firm up more information, however at this time there are two logistical areas we would like to mention:

– If you’ve already shipped booth materials or placed orders, we are working with Freeman and the Miami Beach Convention Center on next steps, and will communicate those in the coming days. If you have not yet shipped your booth materials, you should avoid doing so at this time.
– Those who have booked hotel rooms in our block will receive information in the coming days about rescheduled dates and the process to cancel your existing room or make reservations for potential new dates.

As always, we look forward to continuing to work with you as our partners, customers and industry colleagues on Seatrade Cruise events taking place in the second half of 2020, including Seatrade Cruise Med (16-17 September | Malaga, Spain), and we appreciate your patience as we finalise new dates for Seatrade Cruise Global," Informa said in a statement.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines confirms Coronavirus onboard the Braemar

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 12 March 2020 12 March 2020

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has published the following statement:

"We can confirm that we have been required to change the itinerary for Braemar, after five people on board tested positive for COVID-19 Coronavirus.

We were due to end our ‘Western Caribbean & Central America’ cruise today in Barbados. However we have changed course, following a cautious response from the local authorities, and are now heading towards the Bahamas (our Flag State).

We are currently working with the Bahamas, the UK government, UK Chamber of Shipping and Public Heath England to ensure that all guests can return home as soon as possible.

We continue to follow advice from Public Health England and there is currently no requirement for guests to stay in their cabins. However, we have put other measures in place. These include operating open seating at mealtimes, so that guests can sit on emptier tables. We are also asking guests to keep a reasonable distance from each other and crew members, as much as possible.

We are keeping those on board regularly updated and are asking all guests and crew to return to their cabin and call the Medical Centre, if they begin to feel unwell."

As cruise lines cancel cruises, where will ships go?

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 12 March 2020 12 March 2020

Diamond Princess in Yokohama before the crisis (Photo credit: Princess Cruises)

On Wednesday, March 11, during an evening press conference, U.S. President Donald J. Trump announced a vaguely worded 30-day travel ban from the Schengen countries in Europe to America. The ensuing chaos that has resulted has already caused two cruise lines to beach their fleets.

Viking will halt operation of its entire 79 strong fleet of ocean vessels and river boats until May 1. Princess Cruises will suspend the operations of all 18 of its cruise ships for a 60-day period. Other lines are canceling individual voyages, and still others are considering the approach taken by Princess and Viking.

If Wednesday was a very bad day for cruise lines, it's just the latest in a spate of challenging news from the global pandemic of Covid-19, or coronavirus, that has caused unprecedented change. Over the past few months, cruise lines began reacting to the spread of the disease in China, which then began affecting other Asian countries. Scared ports of call are closing to any cruise ship visits. Italy is experiencing a tragic spread of the disease and has closed the country to cruise traffic. Just this afternoon, Spain announced it, too, would close, and industry watchers are keeping a close eye on the Netherlands, France and Germany as well.

But it's last night's presidential announcement that's thrown the cruise industry's state of affairs into even starker challenges. Fllghts from the Schengen countries will halt as of Friday (except for England and Ireland, which are not included in the 30 day travel ban as they are not part of Schengen). As the first transatlantic cruises towards Europe have already departed, this could cause drastic consequences for returning U.S. cruise passengers who would face a mandatory 14-day quarantine in the U.S. upon their return. Viking's Sky, for one, recently set off for Barcelona; it is turning back and returning to Miami.

Beyond disruptions, this unprecedented cancellation of cruises, for up to 60 days in the future, has created another challenge: Where will the empty ships wait it out? And what will happen with existing sailings, particularly world cruises, that are in the middle of their itineraries?

Currently we have taken a look at cruise ship positionings around the world, via Marinetraffic.com, and here is what we have learner for now:

– Viking Sun is currently in the Indonesia waters during its 245-day World Cruise.
– Sapphire Princess, which will skip its summer program in China is currently at the Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore and after docking will head to Australia. Sister ship Diamond Princess is still moored at Yokohama, Japan after its coronavirus outbreak and evacuation.
– Costa, the largest cruise operator in Asian waters, has ships out of service in various ports: Costa Atlantica, Costa Serena and Costa Venezia papers to be docked at the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries facility out of Nagasaki, Japan.
– Dream Cruises, which is among hardest hits cruise lines during the outbreak and operates two newish vessels, has suspended all is cruises. Normally sailing out from Singapore and various ports in Hong Kong and China, the company had docked Genting Dream in Langkawi, Malaysia. Sister ship World Dream departed today from Salalah, Oman and is heading towards the Red Sea.
– Crystal Cruises, part of Genting Hong Kong, will end its World Cruise early in Fremantle, Australia as all ports on its itinerary after Australia are closed or closing.
– Royal Caribbean International canceled the China program on its newest vessel Spectrum of the Seas and redeployed it in Australia.

Don’t go on cruise if over 70 and with serious health condition – British Prime Minister

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines; Published: 12 March 2020 12 March 2020

People over the age of 70 that have serious health conditions should not go on a cruise as the coronavirus epidemic is expected to spread significantly in the near future, the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

"We advise all those over 70 with serious medical conditions against going on cruises and we advise against international school trips," he said in a webcast speech in which he announced the next steps in the government’s efforts to fight the outbreak.