Several cruise lines have cancelled planned visits to Russian ports following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, which operates Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, announced yesterday (Feb. 24) that it’s adjusting its itineraries and pulling out of Russia for 2022. Both Viking and Atlas Ocean Voyages also are adjusting their plans for Russia, while Royal Caribbean says it’s got a back up plan in place should it be needed. “The safety and security of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our top priority,” Norwegian Cruise Line said in an email Read more
cruise news
By Jim Byers Member, Society of American Travel Writers Masks will no longer be required on Carnival Cruise Line ships starting March 1, putting Carnival in line with other major cruise lines. A news release issued by the company says masks will be recommended for guests but not required on board for sailings departing on and after March 1. “We have had a very successful restart of guest operations thanks to the support of our guests, the commitment of our shipboard team, and the effective protocols we have put in place,” Carnival president, Christine Duffy said in the release. “There Read more
Cruise lines will no longer have to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention health rules to guard against COVID-19. The CDC’s Framework for Conditional Sailing Order, which was extended and modified in October, will expire Saturday, at which point the health agency’s COVID guidance for cruise ships will become voluntary, the CDC confirmed to USA TODAY on Wednesday. “This means cruise lines can choose whether to follow the health agency’s guidance or not,” USA Today said. CDC spokesperson David Daigle said the Atlanta-based health agency “is transitioning to a voluntary COVID-19 risk mitigation program.” The CDC in 2020 brought Read more
In a major blow to the cruise industry, the U.S.-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Americans should avoid all cruise travel, even if they’re fully vaccinated. The CDC on Thursday upgraded its travel warning advisory for cruising from level three to level four. Level three indicates what the CDC calls a “high” level of COVID-19 and advises travellers to make sure they’re fully vaccinated before taking a trip. Level four is for “very high” levels of the virus and suggests that people “avoid travel” entirely. The world cruise industry was just getting its sea legs back in the Read more
How’d you like a nine-month, world cruise? Royal Caribbean has unveiled what it calls the world’s longest cruise, a 274-night marathon that begins Dec. 10, 2023 and ends the following Sept. 10, in 2024. Not only can you celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve at sea, you’ll visit all seven continents and more than 150 destinations in 65 countries around the world. Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas will sail in and out of Miami and also visit 11 “great wonders of the world.” A full 57 of the destinations will be new to Royal Caribbean, including Casablanca, Morocco, Shimizu, Read more
