The final ‘block’ has been placed atop AIDA Cruises’ mammoth new LNG-powered cruise ship, AIDAcosma, marking the imminent completion of her assembly ahead of her float out, delivery and repositioning to the Middle East. The placement of the Bridge block, containing the ship’s navigation bridge, communication centre and officers quarters, was completed on Sunday and brings the 5,400-passenger … [Read more...]
CDC issues travel advisory against US cruises after cancelling No Sail Order
In an apparent attempt to reach a compromise with US lawmakers, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an advisory warning Americans against cruise travel, just days after rescinding its own No Sail Order. The CDC issued a Level 4 warning for cruise travel, up from Level 3, meaning it feels there is a “very high level of COVID-19” risk aboard cruise ships, after … [Read more...]
Celebrity Cruises lays keel for third Edge-class ship Celebrity Beyond
Celebrity Cruises laid the keel for its new cruise ship Celebrity Beyond on Thursday at the French shipyard Chantiers de l’Atlantique. Celebrity Beyond is the latest ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge-class, and the construction milestone marks the official beginning of the new ship’s assembly. The laying of the keel marks the start of assembly. RELATED: The key milestones during a new cruise … [Read more...]
Newly-stretched and refurbished Star Breeze delivered to Windstar
Windstar Cruises has taken delivery of its transformed cruise ship Star Breeze, which has been refurbished from bow to stern, and lengthened by 26-metres. The newly-stretched Star Breeze can now accommodate an additional 100 guests, thanks to 50 new staterooms contained within the mid-section that was inserted to the ship, while she also features several new public spaces. Star Breeze midsection … [Read more...]
Disney Cruise Line delays delivery of two new cruise ships by two years
Disney Cruise Line’s new LNG-powered cruise ships, originally due for delivery in 2022 and 2023, will be delivered two years later than planned due to shipyard bottlenecks caused by the COVID-19 lockdown earlier this year. Disney announced the delay to the delivery of two of its new cruise ships during a fourth quarter earnings call on Tuesday. The company’s CEO, Bob Chapek, emphasised that the … [Read more...]
Sign of hope for South African cruise sector as foreign yacht, tourist ban lifted
South Africa has relaxed its anti-coronavirus restrictions further, allowing bottle stores to return to normal opening hours, and in a crucial hint for the future of cruises, reopening to tourists and foreign yachts. The easing of travel and foreign yacht restrictions was announced this week by South Africa’s co-operative governance and traditional affairs minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma and … [Read more...]
Abu Dhabi to demolish buildings as part of cruise port redevelopment
Four Mina Plaza towers and several buildings along the wharf front in Port Zayed are to be demolished as part of the redevelopment of Abu Dhabi‘s cruise port. The buildings will be demolished this month as part of plans to transform the commercial port into a blended housing, tourism and entertainment destination, which will enhance its standing as a key cruise destination in the Arabian … [Read more...]
Crystal Cruises announces Suez Canal voyage ending in Petra for 2021
Crystal Cruises will be sending its luxury yacht-like cruise ship Espirit back to the Middle East in 2021 on a series of voyages that take in the Holy Land, Petra and the glistening ancient coastal cities of the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal. The nine cruises aboard Espirit in April, 2021, and in November through December, 2022 and 2023 include cruises from Aqaba in Jordan, Dubrovnik in … [Read more...]
Cruise lines to limit all US cruises to under 7 days as part of CDC guidance
Major US-based cruise lines have begun removing cruises longer than 7 days from their planned itineraries featuring departures from, or visits to, North American cruise ports. The move to suspend cruises longer than one week comes as part of guidance from the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that limits cruises longer than 7 days from sailing from US ports. Princess Cruises … [Read more...]
MSC drops Opera’s 2020/21 Cape Town cruises, Orchestra’s Durban season uncertain
MSC Cruises has cancelled its planned 2020/21 Cape Town cruise season aboard MSC Opera due to ongoing travel restrictions amid the coronavirus pandemic, but remains in talks with the South African government for MSC Orchestra’s Durban season. MSC Cruises modified its 2020/21 South African cruise season amid a resurgence in COVID-19 cases globally, which have prompted many countries to reintroduce … [Read more...]