The Points Guy: Would you take a 14-day cruise that didn’t include a single port call? That’s the temporary solution that one Europe-based cruise company has dreamed up to solve the problem of how to offer trips in an era of coronavirus-related port restrictions. Norwegian expedition cruise company Hurtigruten this week is beginning 14-day sailings from Hamburg, Germany, to the Norwegian coast that — for now — won’t include a single port stop.
Month: June 2020
Finally, some better pricing: Start-up cruise line Virgin Voyages cuts rates for early sailings
The Points Guy: There’s good news this week for cruisers eager to try Virgin Voyages, the new, Richard Branson-backed cruise line that’s scheduled to debut in October. Virgin Voyages in recent days has been marketing an “up to 30% off” sale on inaugural season trips that includes discounted cabins and extra onboard credit, to boot.
Florida casino ship offers preview of cruise gambling
Cruise Radio: While cruise ships are not yet sailing, I recently had the chance to do some gambling on the high seas thanks to a trip aboard the Florida-based casino ship Victory 1. While much smaller than a ship like Carnival Vista or Norwegian Breakaway, the experience offered insight into how mainstream lines might deal with some of their casino-centric returns when they’re finally able to sail again.
The Castell Project Inc. releases ‘Black Representation in Hospitality Industry Leadership 2020’ report
PRESS RELEASE: Officials of Castell Project Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the careers of women professionals in the hospitality industry, today released the “Black Representation in Hospitality Leadership 2020” report. The statistical document reflects the industry prior to the ongoing pandemic. Castell Project plans to release an updated report in January to show the impact on Black representation as the industry rehires.
SeaDream Yacht Club resumes sailing
Travel Daily News: SeaDream’s first Norwegian voyage set sail from Oslo on Saturday, June 20th. This marks the start of the first luxury line in the world to resume operations since March 2020. SeaDream’s Norwegian voyages have sparked an overwhelming excitement. The company had initially plan to sail in Norway with only one ship, SeaDream I, for 9 voyages. After the first voyages started quickly selling out, SeaDream made the decision to add SeaDream II to double capacity and meet the overwhelming demand.
US Travel Association critical of European ban
Breaking Travel News: The United States Travel Association has reacted angrily to suggestions American holidaymakers will be barred from Europe as the region reopens to tourism. Reports indicate the European Union is ready to ban most travellers from the United States, Russia and dozens of other countries considered too risky in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak.
World’s first big ship cruise line to resume operations
Cruise Critic: Genting Cruise Lines has announced the restart of cruise operations for Dream Cruises with Explorer Dream operating itineraries beginning from 26 July 2020. The 1,867-passenger ship will operate two and three-night “Taiwan Island-Hopping” itineraires, departing from Keelung and calling at Penghu, Matzu and Kinmen islands.
Timeline: How the global coronavirus pandemic unfolded
U.S. News & World Report: Here are some key developments as the novel coronavirus spread around the world: Dec. 31, 2019: China alerts the World Health Organization of 27 cases of “viral pneumonia” in the central city of Wuhan. Authorities shut down a wet market in Wuhan the next day, after discovering some patients were vendors or dealers.
Global coronavirus deaths top half a million
Reuters: The death toll from COVID-19 surpassed half a million people on Sunday, according to a Reuters tally, a grim milestone for the global pandemic that seems to be resurgent in some countries even as other regions are still grappling with the first wave.
People spent thousands to go on a cruise with Glenn Beck. Now they can’t get their money back.
Buzzfeed News: Customers and conservative media fans have spent months in limbo after a planned “Cruise Thru History” was scuttled by the coronavirus.