Anyone could see for months now that cruise lines around the world were in trouble. Now we know just how much. A report from the CBC suggests Norwegian Cruise Line is in deep financial trouble and is selling emergency stocks and bonds to raise desperately needed capital.
Carnival on Monday said it will operate eight ships out of Florida and Texas beginning Aug. 1, but NCL appears to be going in the other direction.
“The world’s third-largest cruise ship operator cast doubt on its ability to stay afloat as a company for much longer, even as one of its biggest rivals said it is taking its first tentative steps toward reopening after COVID-19,” the CBC report said. “Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. warned investors it doesn’t have enough money to cover its financial obligations this year, an announcement that caused shares in the company to sell off heavily.”
“COVID-19 has had, and is expected to continue to have, a significant impact on our financial condition and operations, which adversely affects our ability to obtain acceptable financing to fund resulting reductions in cash from operations,” Norwegian Cruise Line said.
Here’s the full CBC item: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/cruise-lines-1.5555686
AMERICANS WANT ROAD TRIPS
It makes perfect sense, but now we’re getting solid information on how Americans see themselves travelling as COVID-19 restrictions are gradually lifted.
As parts of the country begin the process of opening up, travellers in the U.S. are looking forward to getting back on the road and in the skies. According to the most recent Longwoods International tracking study of American travellers, for the first trip when it is appropriate to travel again half (52%) of respondents will visit friends and family domestically. Among those travelling for that purpose, three-fourths (76%) will travel by car and a quarter (24%) by plane.
Overall, 86% of travellers plan to visit a domestic destination, four per cent an international one, and two per cent plan on taking a staycation in the area where they live. Only eight per cent don’t intend to travel during the next six months.
Looking at the first trips domestic travellers intend to take, three fourths (74%) will be by car and a quarter (26%) will be by plane. For those driving, half of those trips will be within 200 miles from home (52%), while the other half will be further afield (48%).
Mount Rushmore, South Dakota. Stephen Oliver Photo/Unsplash
“Despite the pandemic, Americans are eager to travel, especially to spend time with family and friends,” said Amir Eylon, President and CEO of Longwoods International. “The vast majority of Americans will make their first trip after the pandemic in the U.S., with only four per cent planning international travel as their first destination.”
About 70% of those surveyed have trips planned in the next six months, which has remained steady over the past four weeks. And while the impact of the coronavirus pandemic continues to be a major factor regarding future travel, with 55% of respondents saying it will greatly impact their travel in the next six months, that percentage is down from 67% four weeks ago. The impact of the economy on travel in the next six months has remained virtually unchanged during the pandemic, with 22% saying economic factors will greatly impact their travel in the next six months.
The survey, supported by Miles Partnership, was fielded April 29, 2020 using a national sample randomly drawn from a consumer panel of 1,000 adults, ages 18 and over. Quotas were used to match Census targets for age, gender, and region to make the survey representative of the U. S. population.
In a related story, Global News has an item on the future of travel and quotes an expert as being skeptical about Canadians heading overseas. Here’s the story:
Peeling back protections on international travel complicated, but possible: experts
UNIWORLD CRUISES UPDATES SAFETY/SANITARY POLICIES
In preparation for the line’s expected return, Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection announces enhanced health and safety protocols. After an extensive review of current procedures, and consideration of every touchpoint and interaction between crew and guest, new measures will be added to every facet of the experience, from onboard dining and the maintenance and service of guest suites to excursions and crew etiquette.
“At Uniworld, the health and wellbeing of our guests and our crew are paramount. As we prepare to join the world community in reopening our homes, businesses, ships and lives to one another, we have carefully reviewed protocols and procedures to ensure that the touchpoints between the people we care about the very most are managed with intention, respect and utmost care,” said Ellen Bettridge, President and CEO of Uniworld.
Bettridge said that common practices, such as candy jars in the lounge and displayed coffee table books which had been considered welcoming, are now part of the everyday experiences that are being reimagined across the company. “We have been scrupulous in our process to consider every moment that may present an unnecessary concern and why all coffee table books, magazines and brochures for example, have been removed from public use. Instead, guests will be able to access these reading materials via our complimentary PressReader app on their personal devices,” said Bettridge.
As an extension to the rigorous sanitation procedures Uniworld already has in place, other new guest measures include:
– All guests must complete health screening prior to embarkation.
– Fruits, cookies, chips, nuts, candies and other treats will be served to individual guests by the crew only. These treats are no longer available for self-service.
– Disinfect wipes will be available throughout the ship, including at coffee stations and in the public restrooms.
– Any onboard payments will be processed using a contactless payment method and credit card machines will be wiped after each pin entry.
– All restaurant dining will have reserved seating, with guests at the same table, with the same people, each day.
– Items that are usually shared, like bread and butter, will now be served to each person individually.
– Gloves, face masks and bottles of hand sanitizer will be readily available for all guests.
– For excursions, the maximum occupancy per bus will be adjusted to reduce the total number of people together at one time.
In addition to regularly reviewing procedures and protocols to ensure best practices, Bettridge shared that Uniworld is also closely monitoring and following recommendations from world health authorities including the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the independent agency of the European Union (EU) whose mission is to strengthen Europe’s defenses against infectious diseases and the World Health Organization (WHO), as well as from traditional ocean cruise industry association Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). As a member of World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Uniworld will also leverage their expertise.
