Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) denies boarding on ships over the coronavirus outbreak

News Release from CLIA

WASHINGTON, DC (7 FEB 2020)—Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice of the global cruise industry, issued today the following statement in response to recent developments concerning the 2019-novel coronavirus outbreak and its impact on the global cruise industry.

“The health and safety of cruise passengers and crew is and remains the number one priority of CLIA and its member lines, which make up over 90% of ocean-going cruise capacity worldwide. 

Given the evolving nature of the ongoing 2019-novel coronavirus outbreak—and based upon prevailing guidance from global health authorities, including the World Health Organization (WHO)—CLIA Members have adopted the following enhanced protocols for ocean-going guests and crew who have recently traveled from or through China, including Hong Kong and Macau.

Three Princess Cruises' Love Boats host renewal of vows at sea for Valentine's, Guiness World Record bid

   Out to Sea for Feb. 8/20

   (c) By Jim and Barb Fox
   Postmedia Network/Sun Media newspapers and websites

   For those hopelessly romantic, the cruise line famous for the “love boats” has just the thing this Valentine’s.

   There will be a mass renewal of vows in ceremonies taking place simultaneously on the top deck of three Princess cruise ships.

   They’ll try to set a Guinness World Record for the largest multi-location vow renewal.

Vow renewals will take place for Valentine’s on three Princess ships.

    “The overall goal to break the record on all three ships is 1,202 or more,” said publicist Gabby McNamara.

   It’s part of what the line is calling the “most romantic cruises of the year,” featuring two Florida sailings and one from Los Angeles.

Loveboat 's Gavin MacLeod and Jill Whelan

   This idea started with the Regal Princess and the ceremony hosted by Loveboat TV’s Gavin MacLeod, who played Capt. Merrill Stubing, and show daughter Jill Whelan (Vicki) as matron of honour.

  This is a seven-day, round-trip Western Caribbean voyage from Fort Lauderdale from Feb. 9 to 16, visiting Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and the cruise line’s private, romantic beach, Princess Cays.

   When word got out about the romantic getaway, it quickly sold out and Princess added a second sailing to Mexico.

   That is on the Royal Princess with the first “Bachelorette” reality TV couple Trista and Ryan Sutter officiating.

Diamond Princess update re: China virus outbreak

From Facebook, Sunday, Feb. 9 and 10/20

Our global team is working tirelessly to continue supporting Diamond Princess guests and crew during this challenging time.

As onboard needs continue to evolve, here’s an update on our current priorities. We will continue to provide updates as they are available: https://bit.ly/2Hb8foN

Although we are facing many limitations and challenges, we are doing our best to deliver the ship’s most critical needs. We are also working to provide as much care and comfort as we can to everyone onboard. We hope these gestures will lift the spirits of those onboard in this difficult time. Further updates here: https://bit.ly/2Hb8foN

Because of the extraordinary circumstances onboard Diamond Princess, we will refund the full cruise fare for all guests including air travel, hotel, ground transportation, pre-paid shore excursions, gratuities, and other items. In addition, guests will not be charged for any onboard incidental charges during the additional time onboard. More information can be found here: https://bit.ly/37bUsJw 

Westerdam Update: Monday, Feb. 10/20

Westerdam update from Facebook re: visus, Feb. 10/2020
 
Westerdam is sailing for Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand, where the current cruise that departed Feb. 1st will end on Thursday, February 13th.

Guests will be disembarking in Laem Chabang and transferring to Bangkok for their forward travel home. This new schedule has been communicated to guests on board. The cruise was previously scheduled to disembark Feb. 15th in Yokohama, Japan.

All guests will receive a 100% refund for the 14-day sailing, as well as a 100% Future Cruise Credit.

Following the disembarkation of guests, Westerdam will depart Laem Chabang. The Feb. 15th cruise scheduled to embark in Yokohama has been cancelled. No cancellations for cruises with departure dates beyond February 15th have been announced at this time.

Holland America issues a "Coronavirus Travel Advisory" after MS Westerdam not allowed to dock in Japan

MS Westerdam with 2,000 on board has been blocked from docking in Japan over coronavirus travel issues

We know our guests have questions and concerns around Coronavirus and travel. To ensure you have the latest information, this page will be updated as needed with new details.

As of Feb. 7, 2020 (04:14 PM PST)
Westerdam is currently sailing on a southwesterly course off the coast of Taiwan to best position the ship for access to the potential port locations where we can disembark our guests.  We are evaluating several options and working with different governments for a swift resolution.

Guests on board continue to be safe and well cared for. The ship has sufficient fuel and food provisions to last until the end of the voyage. We are providing free internet and phone access for guests and crew to stay in contact with their loved ones. 

The ship is not in quarantine and we have no reason to believe there are any cases of coronavirus on board despite media reports. 
This is a very dynamic situation as we continue to manage around evolving and changing restrictions in the region. We sincerely thank our guests and crew on Westerdam — and their loved ones — for their patience during this extraordinary time.

Princess Cruises provides update on Diamond Princess in Yokohama regarding Coronavirus outbreak and quarintine

Updated February 7, 2020 at 10:30 PM PT

Rai Caluori, EVP at Princess Cruises provides update on Diamond Princess in Yokohama

Although we are facing many limitations and challenges, we are doing our best to deliver the ship’s most critical needs. We are also working to provide as much care and comfort as we can to everyone onboard. We hope these gestures will lift the spirits of those onboard in this difficult time.
Watch Video on YouTube

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February 6, 2020 at 7:30 PM PT
Guest Experience on Diamond Princess
Our team on board Diamond Princess, supported by our shoreside colleagues, is actively working to care for our guests to ensure their comfort and well-being. These are such unusual circumstances so our team has activated new in-room entertainment offerings which include:

• Eight (8) new satellite TV channels
• More than 80 new video-on-demand releases, including movies in various languages, concerts and in-cabin fitness videos
• Cruise Director Show (The Wake Show) in English and Japanese
• Printed newspapers in 36 languages
• Pre-printed trivia, daily puzzles, games and arts and crafts
• Radio Taiso (popular calisthenics) videos
• Kids’ activity packs
• Food & beverage options offered via room service
• Outdoor time for guests in interior staterooms (under the guidance of Japanese Ministry of Health)

New Cases / Nationalities / Quarantine End Date

So much in store on the new Carnival Panorama with largest retail collection in the fleet

  Fleet’s Biggest Beauty Space, New Fashion-Forward Logo Merchandise Highlight Expansive Multi-Level Retail Area 

  MIAMI  – After a successful debut in Long Beach, Calif. in December, Carnival Cruise Line revealed that Carnival Panorama features the largest retail collection in its fleet.

Among the new offerings is the line’s most expansive beauty footprint at sea with interactive hands-on events, mini-makeovers and beauty workshops such as smoky eye tutorials and contouring classes as well as a shop dedicated to the launch of the line’s reimagined and fashion-forward logo merchandise collection.

“We are thrilled to launch our most fun shopping experience in the fleet onboard Carnival Panorama. We’ve partnered with brands that our guests love and have introduced new brands that are sure to become Carnival fan favorites,” said William Butler, vice president of retail services for Carnival Cruise Line. “Our Panorama retail experience allows our guests to Choose Fun however they want whether it’s sporting a new beauty brand or fun designs from our new logo apparel assortment.”

At the new ‘Beauty Bar’ on Deck 5, beauty specialists guide guests as they indulge in the best makeover experiences at sea – perfect for a night on board or a special occasion. The Beauty Bar features an assortment of top skincare, cosmetics and fragrance brands including Urban Decay, Dior, Estée Lauder, and Clinique, among others.

Other onboard retail offerings include the largest Effy jewelry assortment in the fleet with exclusive Carnival Panorama pieces and a first-ever Carnival-branded inaugural collection; Carnival’s most expansive watch assortment with fine and fashion timepieces; terrific branded shop experiences with John Hardy and Swarovski; along with retail items connected to the Pixels Photo Gallery experience and shore excursions from Carnival Adventures.

Greenland’s dramatic landscape added to select Holland America Line 2021 Canada and New England cruises

Suite bookings made by Feb. 28, 2020, receive free drinks, free dining package and free gratuities

Seattle, Wash., Jan. 16, 2020 — Holland America Line’s Canada & New England season will be even more scenic in 2021 with the addition of three cruises that explore the dramatic landscape of Greenland.

From April through October, guests can select from more than 13 unique Canada, New England and Greenland itineraries ranging from seven to 17 days — including a new round-trip cruise from Boston, Massachusetts, that features Greenland, Newfoundland and New England.

 

Maasdam in Quebec City

To celebrate the opening of the 2021 Canada, New England & Greenland bookings, Holland America Line is featuring an exclusive suite offer that includes free drinks, a free dining package and free gratuities when reserved by Feb. 28, 2020.

“With spectacular scenery in any season, close-to-home access for many of our guests and a thriving culinary and cultural scene, Canada and New England remains one of our most requested destinations,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Adding Greenland to those itineraries makes them even more desirable because it’s so rarely visited on a cruise, and the natural beauty is a perfect complement to Canada and New England.”

Celebity Cruises unveils Encore in Edge series with new Celebrity Apex

Reaching the Apex of Luxury at Sea

Takes Seagoing Vacations to New Heights with Exclusive Culinary, Wellness and
Entertainment Offerings, Starting April 2020

 

 

 

MIAMI – January 28, 2020 – When the much-anticipated Celebrity Apex is christened on March 30, 2020, Celebrity Cruises will do more than continue the lineage of its groundbreaking Edge Series that began with the 2018 launch of Celebrity Edge. Celebrity Apex takes modern cruising to yet another whole new level, with the very latest culinary, spa and wellness trends, and progressive entertainment offerings.

The industry-leading, first-in-class Celebrity Edge has received more than 50 awards and was crowned one of TIME Magazine’s 2019 World's Greatest Places^[1]. It impressed the world with its innovative outward-facing design and visionary spaces created by world-renowned designers including: Kelly Hoppen, MBE (accommodations and suite experience); Tom Wright of WKK (ship exterior and open decks); Patricia Urquiola (interior design at The Club and Eden); Scott Butler, AIA (architect for Eden and The Theatre) Jouin Manku (Grand Plaza and circulation); and many more.