With the help of celebrity partners past and present, Carnival Cruise Line has announced that its next Excel-class ship arriving in 2022 to coincide with its 50th birthday celebration will be named “Carnival Celebration.”
A full roster of Carnival partners, including Kathie Lee Gifford, Guy Fieri and Shaquille O’Neal, unwrapped boxes that revealed the letters of the Celebration name, which is both a throwback to one of the popular early ships in the Carnival fleet, as well as a recognition of Carnival’s 50th birthday celebration that will take place in 2022 when the new Carnival Celebration will join the fleet. The video announcement was made across Carnival’s social media channels and can be viewed here.
Carnival Celebration will debut from PortMiami in November 2022 and will be a sister ship to Mardi Gras, the first in the Excel series scheduled to enter service on Feb. 6, 2021 from Port Canaveral, Fla. The addition of the Carnival Celebration to Miami will maintain PortMiami’s position as the top embarkation port for Carnival Cruise Line.
“The name Carnival Celebration couldn’t be more perfect for a ship that will be a key component of our 50th Birthday festivities,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “Many thanks to our celebrity partners who helped us officially ‘unbox the fun’ and reveal the name of a ship that promises to be a spectacular addition to our fleet. Carnival Celebration is our 50th Birthday present to our guests!”
Carnival Celebration will include many of the features that have made Mardi Gras one of the most anticipated ships in cruising, including BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, along with some unique design features created specifically for this vessel.
Carnival’s 50th Birthday celebration kicks off in March 2022 – the company’s birthday month – with a series of commemorative sailings that will feature special entertainment and itineraries then continue all year long, culminating with the arrival of Carnival Celebration to Miami in November 2022. Additional information on the March 2022 sailings is available at www.carnival.com/sailabration.
Carnival Celebration’s itineraries will be announced over the coming weeks and the ship will be opening up for sale in October.
Guests can register to be the “first to know” about the ship’s itineraries and special sale promotions at www.carnival.com/ship2022.
For additional information on Carnival Celebration or any other of Carnival Cruise Line’s ships, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
Seabourn has announced today that it will cancel upcoming voyages for three cruise ships in its fleet as a part of its pause in global ship operations.
The announcement applies to Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation, and Seabourn Sojourn with each ship having a different “effective through” date. Specific details are as follows:
Seabourn Encore: with its operations pause effective through November 25, 2020.
Seabourn Sojourn: paused through World Cruise 2021, with its operations pause effective through May 24, 2021.
The brand had previously announced a pause in its global ship operations from March 14 to November 20, 2020, depending on the ship, effectively cancelling all voyages scheduled to operate during that timeframe. The decision to cancel additional voyages is a proactive action to deal with the circumstances continuing to evolve from the global response to the COVID-19 situation.
“We’ve been saying for some time that our resumption of service will come gradually, and this action reflects that discussion. The health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the people in destinations we visit remain a top priority,” said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. “”Like many who watch the travel industry, we are encouraged by the signs emerging around the world that point to travel’s progress toward return. When our expert science and medical advisors and our destinations support the ability to resume travel on Seabourn, we’ll be ready.”
Guests currently confirmed on Seabourn Sojourn’s 2021 World Cruise will be automatically re-accommodated in the same suite on Seabourn Sojourn’s 2022 World Cruise, at rate paid, within 30 days.
Guests with impacted cruises (except World Cruise 2021) will automatically be canceled and all guests will receive Bonus Future Cruise Credits. They can also request a full refund of monies paid to Seabourn. Specific details are as follows:
Paid in Full: those guests paid in full will receive 125% Future Cruise Credit of the base cruise fare paid to Seabourn. Guests can also request a full refund of the monies paid to Seabourn.
Under Deposit: those guests with bookings under deposit will receive a Future Cruise Credit valued at 125% of the deposit amount paid. Guests can also request a full refund of the monies paid to Seabourn.
The Future Cruise Credit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through Dec. 31, 2022. The amount of non-cruise fare purchases may be transferred to a new booking. Alternatively, guests may request a refund of the monies paid to Seabourn, which will be reimbursed to the original form of payment.
Guests and their travel advisors will be sent specific details applicable to their booking. Seabourn asks guests and travel advisors to use the online resources available on its website first rather than calling the Reservation Call Center for information about the cancellations due to the possibility of high call volumes and the potential of long on-hold wait times.
For reservations or more information about Seabourn, please contact Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.
MSC Meraviglia
Photo credit: Bernard Biger STX France
MSC Cruises announced today that MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica will resume operations in the Mediterranean starting from August 16 and 29, 2020 respectively, offering guests full-experience cruise vacations with the opportunity to discover five different destinations during a seven-night cruise. The two ships will be the first to implement a new comprehensive health and safety protocol that has been approved by the relevant national authorities from the countries that the ships will call along their East and West Mediterranean itineraries this summer.
Pierfrancesco Vago, MSC Cruises’ Executive Chairman commented, “During the pause in our operations we focused on developing a comprehensive operating protocol that builds upon already stringent health and safety measures that have long been in place on board our ships. We have worked closely with the relevant EU-level, national health and other authorities from the countries that MSC Grandiosa and MSC Magnifica will call along their Mediterranean itineraries to develop a comprehensive set of procedures designed to protect the health and safety of all passengers on board our ships as well as ashore to ensure that local communities feel comfortable welcoming our guests.”
COVID-19 Testing for All Guests
Pierfrancesco Vago continued, “The new procedures include universal COVID-19 testing for all guests and crew prior to embarkation, protected ashore visits at each destination only with an MSC Cruises’ excursion as an added level of protection for our guests and the introduction of a COVID Protection Plan for further peace of mind for our guests. With all of these measures in place, we aim to offer our guests the safest possible vacation.”
MSC Cruises’ new operating protocol has been designed to protect the health and safety of guests and crew as well as the local communities that the Company’s ships visit. For this reason, it meets and goes beyond guidelines provided by key international and regional regulatory and technical bodies, as well as regulations set forth by the governments in the countries in which MSC Cruises’ ships operate.
Additionally, RINA, the independent maritime certification corporation, has verified that the protocol meets the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) Guidance, which incorporates additional health standards including those from the EU Healthy Gateways Joint Action. MSC Cruises has worked to encompass every aspect of the guest’s journey from the moment of booking, embarkation, and life on board through to disembarkation and the return home while preserving the uniqueness of the guest experience.
For this initial phase of the restart of operations, the two MSC Cruises’ ships operating in the Mediterranean for the current summer season will initially only welcome guests who are residents in Schengen countries[. Additionally, their itineraries have been designed according to the accessibility of the ports, reducing — where possible — the need for guests to use public transport or flights, and have been planned in conjunction with the authorities.
Finally, MSC Cruises also canceled the Far East cruises from September 10 through to and including October 26.
Guests booked through MSC Cruises USA or affiliated US-based travel advisors on Mediterranean sailings between August 16 and October 31, Caribbean sailings between October 1 and October 31 and impacted Far East cruises through October 26, will receive a 125% Future Cruise Credit of the original cruise fare to be used on sailings on or before December 31, 2021. Guests who prefer to receive a refund instead of a Future Cruise Credit can visit MSCCruises.com for more information on how to complete their request with an easy to use the online form.
Atlas Ocean Voyages has announced MAX SHORE, extended, regional odysseys that include a complimentary, three- to six-day overland adventure during the voyage. These “vacations-within-vacations” bring guests to must-see, inland destinations and landmarks that Atlas is first to offer in the cruise industry. With MAX SHORE, Atlas Ocean Voyages delivers a complete, guided land-and-sea luxury experience so adventurers can immerse themselves more deeply in the attractions, traditions and excitement surrounding the Black Sea and the Holy Land. Consistent with Atlas’ All Inclusive All the Way style, air and land transportation, lodging, meals and beverages are included on MAX SHORE voyages. Furthermore, Travel Advisors who book their clients on 2021 MAX SHORE odysseys will receive a $500 or $750 gift card now – and 15 percent commission at time of their clients’ sailing – known as GET PAID NOW.
“No other cruise brand offers an included, multi-day overland adventure like Atlas Ocean Voyages does with MAX SHORE,” said Alberto Aliberti, President of Atlas Ocean Voyages. “Essentially, we’ve combined two unforgettable, travel experiences – a luxury cruise and a fascinating land tour – into one without compromising either. Usually, tour extensions are at an additional cost and require more days pre- or post-cruise, but MAX SHORE includes the extended, overland adventure for guests without having to extend their travel time.”
“The great thing about MAX SHORE is that they are sold as one commissionable package with everything included,” said Brandon Townsley, Vice President of Sales and Trade Partnerships. “We’ve seamlessly wrapped cruise, land adventures, cultural immersions and transportation in one complete package for Travel Advisors to sell. It’s a great value and Travel Advisors GET PAID NOW and earn a great commission.”
Adventurers and like-spirited travelers currently have a choice of two fascinating 2021 MAX SHORE odysseys aboard World Navigator, launching in July 2021, with more to be announced. The 16-night “Black Sea in Full” MAX SHORE, departing July 28, 2021, from Athens (Piraeus), Greece, will delve into Ukraine, Romania, Bulgaria, Turkey, Georgia, and Russia, and include an exclusive three-day/two-night overland adventure from Odessa to Kiev and Pripyat, Ukraine, to explore and overnight in the country’s vibrant capital city and in the infamous Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. The power plant, where a reactor suffered a catastrophic failure in 1986, has since been designated safe for escorted visitors and Atlas Ocean Voyages is the first cruise brand to bring this unique experience to adventurers and trailblazers. Black Sea MAX SHORE guests also will transit the Dardanelles and Bosporus straits and overnight at Sochi, Russia, as well as call at Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey; Nessebar, Bulgaria; Bucharest (Constanta), Romania; Novorossiysk, Russia; Batumi, Georgia; and Sinop and Amasra, Turkey, and conclude with an overnight in Istanbul, Turkey.
World Navigator’s Pool Deck
The 24-night “Comprehensive Anatolia & The Holy Land” MAX SHORE, departing August 13, 2021, will immerse guests in the historic cultural and trade crucible of Europe, Western Asia, and Jordan, starting with an overnight in Istanbul. World Navigator will then circumnavigate the Levantine Sea to Athens (Piraeus), calling at Troy (Kepez), Bozcaada, Dikili, Esphesus (Kusadasi), Bodrum, Marmaris, Fethieye, Kekova Island, and Demre, Turkey; Patmos and Heraklion (Crete), Greece; Limassol, Cyprus; and Cairo (Port Said) and Alexandria, Egypt. At Ashdod, Israel, guests depart on a six-day/five-night MAX SHORE caravan journey through Israel and Jordan, where they will marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra; head off-road with a local Bedouin team for desert glamping under the stars; and delve into the rich history and cultures found in Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, Masada, and Madaba on this carefully guided expedition.
Atlas Ocean Voyages is an all-inclusive, luxury cruise brand defined by simple elegance and will deliver authentic, thrilling, and once-in-a-lifetime adventures in the world’s most extraordinary and remote destinations aboard World Navigator, a new, safe, clean and green, small expedition ship. World Navigator will embark on her inaugural 2021 year, sailing seven- to 24-night itineraries in the Holy Land, and Black and Mediterranean Seas in the summer, followed by nine- to 13-night itineraries in the Caribbean, South America and Antarctica in winter 2021/22.
Adventurers, fun seekers and like-spirited travelers will find community aboard Atlas Ocean Voyages’ safe, small, luxury expedition ships and revel in welcoming and lively venues to share their day’s exploits. Guests indulge in 98 luxe suites and staterooms, all with an ocean view and most with a private balcony.
All Atlas Ocean Voyages journeys include complimentary round-trip air travel from major U.S. and Canada gateways; prepaid gratuities; alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages; Wi-Fi; L’Occitane bath amenities; a free shore excursion in select ports on every itinerary; international gourmet dining; coffee and tea service; and onboard binoculars and butler service in suites.
Windstar Cruises may operate small cruise ships with sails and all-suite yachts, but it’s going digital in a big way. The new Voyage Collection brochure that details and brings to life the cruise line’s 2021 through spring 2022 sailings and cruise tours is 100 percent online. It’s easy to navigate, visually stunning, and environmentally responsible – a Windstar hallmark. Brand-new itineraries include California and Baja’s Sea of Cortez, along with fresh options in the South Pacific, and the Black Sea.
Windstar is using the online piece to showcase the programs, shore excursions, and amenities, as well as the diverse destinations where Windstar sails. Its much-anticipated transformation of three all-suite yachts, renamed the Star Plus Class (with new restaurants, suite choices, and environmental improvements), will come to fruition in 2021 and will be a major development for the line, offering a range of upgraded experiences as well as increased capacity from 212 guests per ship to 312.
Because many of Windstar’s new itineraries for 2020 were canceled due to the pandemic, 2021 has many undiscovered ports and new itineraries, including several selections in Alaska (like a shorter, seven-day cruise that’s perfect for working families), comprehensive itineraries surrounding the Black Sea, cruises that access the Holy Lands, as well as additional ports and offerings in Canada and New England following a one-year hiatus from visiting the region. More cruises departing from U.S. ports include two yachts sailing Caribbean cruises roundtrip from San Juan, Puerto Rico. The 2021/22 Voyage Collection also includes more Cruise Tours than ever before, which is in response to increased guest demand for those comprehensive itineraries.
Also of note, Star Breeze, the first Star Plus Class ship to emerge from the extensive transformation in the fall of 2020, will be sailing the new itineraries in California and Sea of Cortez, along with “filling in” for Wind Spirit, which typically sails year-round in Tahiti. While Wind Spirit undergoes regular maintenance at a scheduled dry dock, Star Breeze will sail Wind Spirit’s usual itineraries like the seven-day Dreams of Tahiti, giving guests a one-time chance to experience this all-suite ship in the South Pacific. On Wind Spirit’s way to Indonesia and back, there is a rare opportunity for visiting beautiful islands and tiny ports like Port Vila, Vanuatu and crossing the Coral Sea.
“The global cruise industry is facing its biggest challenge yet, but we’re incredibly optimistic for the future of small ship cruising and Windstar,” said Andrew Todd, CEO of Windstar Cruises and parent company Xanterra Travel Collection. “That’s why we’re excited to put out this brochure – because dreaming about and planning the next trip is a hopeful and uplifting experience. We want to celebrate that travel promise and also give our customers the confidence needed to book, along with the assurance that we will protect their investment should plans change.”
Windstar recently announced a new Beyond Ordinary Care program, which is a multi-layered strategy with key hospital-grade elements: HEPA filters and UV-C ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to filter and disinfect the air, plus EvaClean with PurTab to sanitize all surfaces throughout the yacht. The company hopes this extra effort to provide a healthy environment on board will also give consumers and travel agents confidence to book, paired with a Travel Assurance Booking Policy that gives the flexibility to make plans and update them if things change.
Windstar operates a fleet of six small yachts carrying from 148 to 342 guests and is known for visiting small ports and hidden harbors around the world. The 148-guest Wind Spirit will be its first yacht to resume sailing on October 15, 2020 in Tahiti. Other Windstar yachts will start cruising in the Mediterranean in October and the Caribbean in November, while others will come online in 2021 following scheduled transformations. For updated information, reservations, and itineraries, visit www.windstarcruises.com.
Carnival Cruise Lines' 88,500-gross-registered-ton Carnival Pride sailes off Cocoa Beach, Fla. The vessel's on-board amenities include four swimming pools, water slide, Internet caf, duty-free shopping mall, an elegant two-level restaurant and a steakhouse-style supper club. Photo by Andy Newman/CCL
Consistent with the decision announced today by the members of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) to voluntarily extend the pause in U.S. cruise embarkations until Oct. 31, 2020, Carnival Cruise Line has informed guests and travel advisors that we have canceled all cruises scheduled to embark between Oct. 1 and Oct. 31.
Guests are being offered an enhanced value package of a future cruise credit and onboard credit, or a full refund. If conditions in the U.S. change and short and modified sailings are possible, the industry may consider an earlier restart, and we would consider that as well. In the meantime, we will continue to work with public health and government officials to finalize enhanced health and sanitation protocols and procedures that will guide our eventual return to service.
We thank our guests for their continued patience and support as we work through these difficult decisions. When the time is right, our terrific onboard team will be waiting to welcome our guests back to give them the great vacation they deserve.
6 Honeymoon Cruise Ideas You Must Consider in 2019
Ocean-going cruise line members agree to voluntarily suspend U.S. operations until 31 October
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice of the global cruise industry, announced today that its ocean-going cruise line members have agreed to voluntarily suspend U.S. cruise operations until at least 31 October 2020.
The Association issued the following statement on behalf of its members:
Despite the valuable alignment between CLIA’s previous voluntary suspension to 15 September and the CDC’s current No-Sail Order date of 30 September, we believe it is prudent at this time to voluntarily extend the suspension of U.S. ocean-going cruise operations to 31 October. This is a difficult decision as we recognize the crushing impact that this pandemic has had on our community and every other industry. However, we believe this proactive action further demonstrates the cruise industry’s commitment to public health and willingness to voluntarily suspend operations in the interest of public health and safety, as has occurred twice prior. CLIA cruise line members will continue to monitor the situation with the understanding that we will revisit a possible further extension on or before 30 September 2020. At the same time, should conditions in the U.S. change and it becomes possible to consider short, modified sailings, we would consider an earlier restart.
According to CLIA’s most recent Economic Impact Study, cruise activity in the United States supports nearly half a million (421,000) American jobs and generates $53 billion annually in economic activity throughout the country. Each day of the suspension of U.S. cruise operations results in a loss of up to $110 million in economic activity and 800 direct and indirect American jobs. The impact of the suspension is particularly profound in states that depend heavily on cruise tourism, including Florida, Texas, Alaska, Washington, New York and California.
For more information about the cruise industry’s response to COVID-19, please visit the CLIA COVID-19 Resource Page.
Azamara ,Quest, Blue Hull, Revitalization, revit, revite, Retouch, 2012,
Despite the fact that cruising has come to a halt, for now, the boutique cruise line Azamara is seeing high demand for guests to get back on the water. In a survey sent to 6,000 Azamara loyalty members, almost 50 percent are eager to take a cruise in the next 12-months and over 40 percent of participants are willing to take flights longer than 10-hours. Leading in destinations, Mediterranean sailings are proving to be most popular for 2021, followed by Australia and New Zealand, Iceland, Norway, and the British Isles.
As cruisers begin to think about upcoming trips for 2021, guests of Azamara – along with its parent company Royal Caribbean Group – can take advantage of its Cruise with Confidence benefits. Offering flexibility to change any sailing booked by September 30, 2020, for cruises through April 2022, the program provides peace of mind during the planning process. Under the Cruise with Confidence program, thus far, the Lift and Shift option, which allows guests to simply ‘lift and shift’ their sailing to the same itinerary departing on a future date (most likely in the same month as the previous year), has seen two-thirds of the bookings for 2021 focused on Europe, while 75 percent of guest’s Future Cruise Credit has been used for Europe-focused itineraries. To view all of the benefits, please click here.
Highlights of Azamara’s most popular sailings are included below:
For travelers looking to explore iconic Italy, Azamara’s 7-Night Italy Intensive Voyage, beginning April 24, 2021, will provide access to the region’s most beloved destinations. Starting in Monte-Carlo – home to the legendary Grand Casino and the opulent Royal Palace – Azamara Journey® will then make it way to Santa Margherita, in which guests can discover Castello di Santa Margherita, a castle built in 1550 by the Republic of Genoa as a defense against pirate attacks, or stroll the main city square – Piazza Mazzini – which is lined with colorful palaces. Additional highlights include stops on the Amalfi Coast, where travelers can live la dolce vita in the land of limoncello, and end in Rome to admire Michelangelo’s masterwork or walks the steps of gladiators at the Coliseum.
Setting sail on September 9, 2021, the 10-night France Intensive Voyage will provide a total of four overnights in ports such as Honfleur, Paris, Nantes and Bordeaux, where guests can pay a visit to Pauillac, Sauternes, Margaux, and Saint-Émilion to learn wine production, and of course sample as glass or two. The itinerary’s late nights will take place in Cherbourg, where travelers could explore the gothic architecture and quirky, cool art installations, as well as Saint-Malo, located in Brittany and previously known as a stronghold for privateers (pirates approved by the king).
Aboard Azamara’s 12-night Greek Intensive Voyage – departing on October 13, 2021 – the immersive itinerary will take guests to 11 ports around Greece with five-late nights and conclude in Athens, where the ship will offer one overnight. Highlights of the itinerary include exploring Mykonos’ sun-bleached houses with beautiful blue shutters, vibrant bougainvillea, and 16th-century Venetian windmills; theThessaloniki, the cultural capital of Greece; and Rhodes, where guests will be transported back to the days of the Byzantine Empire from walking the cobblestoned Street of the Knights.
Azamara Is?
Azamara is an upmarket cruise line and the leader in Destination Immersion, with three mid-sized ships sailing to all seven continents of the world. The boutique-style ships allow them to reach marquee ports around the world and dock in smaller less-visited hidden gems. Azamara’s commitment to creating immersive experiences for travelers to connect with local cultures, allows guests to travel deeper with longer stays, more overnights, and night touring. Guests can experience a boutique hotel at sea with inclusive amenities such as gratuities, beverages, AzAmazing Evenings – an exclusive, bespoke evening designed specifically for Azamara guests to immerse themselves in their destination, and more. Until your next cruise, you can click here to see a list of new slot sites in the UK.
The 70,000-ton Carnival Fantasy operates year-round five-, six- and seven-day voyages from Charleston, S.C. Photo by Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Line has announced new plans for its fleet that will generate tremendous guest excitement once it resumes sailing, with a confirmed date for an additional Excel-class, LNG-powered ship arriving in November 2022, four ships either sold or put on long term lay-up status, and other ships redeployed to new homeports, as it seeks to leverage its strong network of year-round and seasonal homeports in the U.S. with upgraded offerings. The highlights of the plan include:
As part of Carnival’s 50th birthday in 2022, a November 2022 delivery date for the unnamed, second Excel-class ship has been confirmed from the Meyer Turku shipyard. The sister ship to Mardi Gras will showcase many of her features, including BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, and sail out of PortMiami as previously announced. Carnival said it will open the ship for sale this fall and guests can register to be the “first to know” about the ship’s itineraries and special open for sale promotions at www.carnival.com/ship2022.
In addition, Carnival Corporation’s recent announcement to reduce its overall fleet capacity and focus on ships with upgraded features, Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration have been sold. Carnival Fascination and Carnival Imagination will move to a long term lay-up status, with no specific timeline identified for a return to operation.
The Carnival Sensation will move from Miami to Mobile and take up itineraries previously assigned to Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Fascination
The Carnival Sensation will move from Miami to Mobile and take up itineraries previously assigned to Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Fascination, with guests on those two ships being re-accommodated on Carnival Sensation.
Carnival Sunrise will move from Port Everglades to PortMiami and assume the itineraries previously operated by Carnival Sensation, providing a larger, upgraded ship for short itineraries with the many new features installed during Carnival Sunrise’s $200 million transformation completed in 2019. Guests booked on the Sunrise 4- and 5-day itineraries from Port Everglades will be automatically moved to sailings from PortMiami.
Carnival Radiance will now move directly from Europe after its $200 million transformation and homeport in Long Beach in April of 2021, where it will assume the short Baja Mexico itineraries previously served by Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration. Guests booked on Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration after April 22, 2021 will be re-accommodated on Carnival Radiance, where they will experience the host of upgrades and new features including Shaq’s Big Chicken Restaurant and an expanded waterpark popular with families sailing with children.
Separately, Carnival also notified its Australian guests that it has extended its pause of operations in that country, and has canceled six cruises scheduled to operate between Sept. 25 and Oct. 29, 2020.
“We have used this pause in operations to think carefully about our fleet and to build a plan that gives our guests new choices and upgrades to current ship offerings,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “We have a great variety of ships across the Carnival Cruise Line fleet and we are thrilled to have been able to confirm a delivery date ahead of what we had anticipated for our second Excel ship, which is exciting news for guests interested in sailing from PortMiami on the sister ship to Mardi Gras! At the same time, we will continue to invest in the four remaining Fantasy class ships that we are keeping in the fleet. We have many guests who prefer our Fantasy class ships which work so well for shorter itineraries from smaller ports that cannot accommodate our larger ships. With a fleet that gives guests lots of choices in ships, homeports, destinations and features including a multitude of dining, entertainment and accommodation choices, we are very excited about the future for Carnival Cruise Line.”
Guests and travel agents are being notified directly about impacted sailings, guest re-accommodations and cancellations. Duffy thanked guests and travel agent partners alike for their continued patience, loyalty and support during this unprecedented time for the cruise industry. “With our future fleet plan resolved, we are focused on ensuring we are ready to return to operations once it is determined that the time is right to resume cruising in the U.S.,” she said.
Royal Caribbean Group is replacing one of the least-loved but most important parts of a cruise vacation – the safety drill – with Muster 2.0™, an entirely new approach to delivering safety information to guests. The innovative program, the first of its kind, reimagines a process originally designed for large groups of people into a faster, more personal approach that encourages higher levels of safety. View Muster 2.0™ as PDF by Clicking Here.
Royal Caribbean Group Introduces Muster 2.0 And Reinvents Cruise Safety Drills
With Muster 2.0, the key elements of the safety drill – including reviewing what to expect and where to go in case of an emergency, and instructions on how to properly use a life jacket – will be accessible to guests on an individual basis instead of a group approach that has been followed historically. New technology, eMuster™, will be used to help provide the information to guests via their mobile devices and interactive stateroom TVs. Travelers will be able to review the information at their own time prior to setting sail, eliminating the need for the traditional large group assemblies. The new approach also enables everyone on board to maintain better spacing as guests move about the ship, and it allows guests to enjoy more of their vacation with no interruption.
After reviewing safety information individually, guests will complete the drill by visiting their assigned assembly station, where a crew member will verify that all steps have been completed and answer questions. Each of the steps will need to be completed prior to the ship’s departure, as required by international maritime law.
“The health and safety of our guests and crew are our number one priority, and the development of this new muster process is an elegant solution to an outdated, unpopular process,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group. “The fact that this will also save guests time and allow the ship to operate without pause means that we can increase health, safety and guest satisfaction simultaneously.”
“Muster 2.0 represents a natural extension of our mission to improve our guests’ vacation experiences by removing points of friction,” said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean Group’s senior vice president of digital. “In this instance, what’s most convenient for our guests is also the safest option in light of needing to reimagine social spaces in the wake of COVID-19.
First Major Change In A Decade
This marks the first dramatic change to the safety drill process in a decade since Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas moved the life jackets from guest staterooms to the muster stations, which improved the evacuation process and has been widely followed throughout the industry. More than a year in the making, Muster 2.0 is also an initiative that will be part of the comprehensive set of protocols and procedures Royal Caribbean Group is developing along with the Healthy Sail Panel that was recently assembled in collaboration with Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.
“This new process represents the kind of innovation that the Healthy Sail Panel is focusing on as part of its mission to enhance the health and safety of cruising,” said former Utah Gov. Mike Leavitt, co-chair of the Healthy Sail Panel. “It shows that we can accomplish a lot if we try to think outside the box on safety.”
“I’d like to extend my congratulations to Royal Caribbean Group on this innovative milestone. It’s exactly what our industry needs during these unprecedented times and we appreciate the generous offer to participate in this innovation,” said Frank Del Rio, President and CEO, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “In this industry, we all work cooperatively to enhance health and safety, and this is an example of that.”
The distributed muster for ocean-going vessels concept is patented in the United States and is patent-pending in major markets around the world, including the various cruise industry flag states. The company has also worked with international regulators, the U.S. Coast Guard, and other maritime and government authorities to ensure it meets all safety requirements.
Muster 2.0 was first tested on Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas in January 2020. Guests who took part in the mock process indicated a strong preference for the new approach and also reported better comprehension and retention of the safety information.
According to 
