Day 4 | Virus UPDATE! All Cruises Cancelled For 30 Days! | Chris Wong VLOGS | Royal Caribbean
Join Royal Caribbean crew member Chris Wong as he VLOGS each day during the cruise lines pause in service from aboard Oasis of the Seas. Please like and follow his videos also subscribe to our very own Cruise Addicts Channel.
Oasis of the Seas Fast Facts
2,181 CREW (international)
6,699 GUESTS (total)
MAIDEN VOYAGE: DECEMBER 5, 2009
GODMOTHERS: DAISY FUENTES, DARA TORRES, GLORIA ESTEFAN, JANE SEYMOUR, KESHIA KNIGHT PULLIAM, MICHELLE KWAN, SHAWN JOHNSON
2,803 STATEROOMS
Cruises Cancelled For 30 Days! | Chris Wong VLOGS | Royal Caribbean 13″ src=”https://i1.wp.com/cruise-addicts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/CC-300×250-banner21-300×250.jpg?resize=300%2C250&ssl=1″ sizes=”(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px” srcset=”https://i2.wp.com/cruise-addicts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/CC-300×250-banner21.jpg?w=300&ssl=1 300w, https://i2.wp.com/cruise-addicts.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/CC-300×250-banner21.jpg?resize=72%2C60&ssl=1 72w” alt=”Cruise Compete” width=”300″ height=”250″ />
Day 3 | Virus UPDATE! All Cruises Cancelled For 30 Days! | Chris Wong VLOGS | Royal Caribbean
Join Royal Caribbean crew member Chris Wong as he VLOGS each day during the cruise lines pause in service from aboard Oasis of the Seas. Please like and follow his videos also subscribe to our very own Cruise Addicts Channel.
Oasis of the Seas Fast Facts
2,181 CREW (international)
6,699 GUESTS (total)
MAIDEN VOYAGE: DECEMBER 5, 2009
GODMOTHERS: DAISY FUENTES, DARA TORRES, GLORIA ESTEFAN, JANE SEYMOUR, KESHIA KNIGHT PULLIAM, MICHELLE KWAN, SHAWN JOHNSON
Day 2 | Virus UPDATE! All Cruises Cancelled For 30 Days! | I Work On A Cruise Ship | Royal Caribbean
Join Royal Caribbean crew member Chris Wong as he VLOGS each day during the cruise lines pause in service from aboard Oasis of the Seas. Please like and follow his video also subscribe to our very own Cruise AddictsChannel.
Oasis of the Seas Fast Facts
2,181 CREW (international)
6,699 GUESTS (total)
MAIDEN VOYAGE: DECEMBER 5, 2009
GODMOTHERS: DAISY FUENTES, DARA TORRES, GLORIA ESTEFAN, JANE SEYMOUR, KESHIA KNIGHT PULLIAM, MICHELLE KWAN, SHAWN JOHNSON
Join Royal Caribbean crew member Chris Wong as he VLOGS each day during the cruise lines pause in service from aboard Oasis of the Seas. Please like and follow his video also subscribe to our very own Cruise Addicts Channel.
Oasis of the Seas Fast Facts
2,181 CREW (international)
6,699 GUESTS (total)
MAIDEN VOYAGE: DECEMBER 5, 2009
GODMOTHERS: DAISY FUENTES, DARA TORRES, GLORIA ESTEFAN, JANE SEYMOUR, KESHIA KNIGHT PULLIAM, MICHELLE KWAN, SHAWN JOHNSON
The FCCA and CLIA today released the following statement related to U.S. ports and returning ships:
U.S. ports are open to returning ships, and passengers are able to disembark and fly home as confirmed by a National Interest Exemption (Exemption) issued by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on March 13, 2020. This includes passengers who are U.S. citizens, legal permanent residents, and foreign diplomats. Non-U.S. citizens will be able to fly home to their home countries.
As a result of this Exemption, CLIA and FCCA have requested that all ports in the Caribbean, South America, and other areas keep their ports open to cruise ships sailing on itineraries related to U.S. ports to allow passengers to return as soon as possible to their homes.
On March 13, 2020, the DHS issued a National Interest Exemption from the March 11, 2020, Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus.
Relevant excerpts from the Exemption are as follows:
“On March 11, 2020, in order to address the threat to the nation posed by transmission of a novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19, the President issued a Proclamation suspending the entry of aliens who were physically present within the Schengen Area, consisting of 26 European states, within the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. “
“…with respect to all aliens currently aboard cruise ships destined for the United States and who would otherwise be subject to the entry suspension of the March 11, 2020 Proclamation, I have determined that their entry would be in the national interest and hereby exempt all such aliens from the Proclamation. This exception will permit affected aliens to enter the United States for the purpose of returning to their home countries and may not be utilized to extend their stay in the United States. Accordingly, Department officials will permit these aliens to enter the United States so that they may arrange for their prompt return to their home countries. Department officials will also work closely with CDC officials to ensure that these aliens are provided appropriate guidance for taking the appropriate health measures until boarding an aircraft home.”
The cruise industry is a vital artery for the U.S. economy, supporting over 421,000 American jobs, with every 30 cruisers supporting one U.S. job, and annually contributes nearly $53 billion to the U.S. economy. Cruise activity supports travel agencies, airlines, hotels and a broad supply chain of industries that stretches across the United States. (Source: BREA/CLIA Economic Impact Study 2018)
The direct impact on the U.S. economy over 30 days will be a loss of $1 billion (in direct spending), $14 million in wages, and 6,500 U.S. jobs. The total economic impact to the United States (direct, indirect, and induced) is estimated at $2.3 billion in spending, $800 million in wages, and 15,500 jobs. (Source: BREA/CLIA Economic Impact Study 2018)
CLIA and the FCCA
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world’s largest cruise industry trade association, providing a unified voice and leading authority of the global cruise community.
Created in 1972, the FCCA is a not-for-profit trade organization that provides a forum for discussion on tourism development, ports, safety, security, and other cruise industry issues and builds bilateral relationships with destinations’ private and public sectors.
Carnival Cruise Lines' 88,500-gross-registered-ton Carnival Pride sailes off Belize. 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
Carnival Cruise Line has announced that it is pausing operations immediately across its fleet of ships based in North America and will resume them on Friday, April 10. All ships currently at sea will continue their voyages and return to their homeports as scheduled.
Throughout this COVID-19 situation that has now turned into a global pandemic, we have implemented higher and higher levels of screening, monitoring, and sanitation protocols to protect the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we serve. While Carnival has not had a diagnosed case linked to our operation we realize this situation is bigger than the cruise industry and we will continue to do our part to support public officials to manage and contain this unprecedented public health challenge.
Our guests have been tremendously patient and understanding as we have reacted to a rapidly changing situation and a desire to be responsive to authorities in the U.S. and the destinations we visit. We are very sorry that this decision will disrupt the vacation plans for our guests and look forward to resuming operations and providing our guests safe, fun and memorable vacations. And it goes without saying, we can only do that with the support of our outstanding onboard team members who have been nothing short of amazing during this prolonged period of challenge.
Viking has announced it will temporarily suspend river and ocean cruise operations until May 1, 2020 in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 situation. The announcement was made today in a video and a letter sent from Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen to currently booked guests; both the video and letter are also available on Viking’s website. The letter reads as follows:
Since we started Viking nearly 23 years ago, we have always cared first and foremost about our guests and our employees. I feel we have become one large Viking family of 500,000 guests each year and 10,000 employees. Since day one, it has been our mission to create experiences for our guests that focus on the destination and allow them to explore the world in comfort. This has always been Viking’s ambition and will remain so.
In recent days we have had an experience where a river cruise guest in Southeast Asia was exposed to COVID-19 while in transit on an international airline. While this guest is not exhibiting symptoms, she has been placed in quarantine. Separately, the remaining 28 guests will also be quarantined.
Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations of our river and ocean vessels embarking from March 12 to April 30, 2020 – at which time we believe Viking will be in a better place to provide the experiences our guests expect and deserve. This is a decision we made with a heavy heart, but with present circumstances what they are, we are unable to deliver the high-quality Viking experience for which we are known.
For those guests whose cruise falls within this window of suspended operations, we are offering the choice of a Future Cruise Voucher valued at 125% of all monies paid to Viking or a refund equal to the amount paid. Guests will have 24 months to use their Future Cruise Voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. For additional flexibility, if you are unable to use your voucher, we will automatically send you a refund equal to the original amount paid to Viking after the voucher expires. These Future Cruise Vouchers will also be fully transferable.
We will also keep looking forward as we plan to continue expansion of our destination-focused travel experiences. In addition to our many award-winning river and ocean cruises, in early 2022 we will launch our expedition journeys to the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as North America’s Great Lakes. And, at the beginning of April 2020, we will announce our newest river voyages closer to home, in America’s heartland.
We will stand by our guests, employees and partners in these challenging times and hope that they in turn will stand by us.
Many travelers regard a trip to Antarctica as the ultimate expedition.
Longtime adventure travel leader Abercrombie & Kent offers voyages to the White Continent onboard Ponant’s luxury expedition ships, and Cruise Addicts was asked to join a trip to find out what these journeys are all about.
There is no doubt that each visit to Antarctica unveils something new and exciting. This pristine part of the world is largely uninhabited and holds a special aura. During our journey, we discovered our five favorite reasons to take an expedition cruise to Antarctica.
Always be on the lookout for great photo opportunities while on your daily excursions.
All the Eyes (and Your Lenses) Can See
The expedition is all about the photos, and much of Abercrombie & Kent’s onboard programming is designed to help cruisers take their best pictures of all kinds of creatures and the region’s spectacular landscape.
Two photo coaches offered lectures and one-on-one consultation with passengers to show how to best capture images, whether with high-tech equipment or a smartphone. These coaches are also out in the field on excursions with you, so you can always ask questions.
You will do better with a good camera and decent lenses on this trip as you’ll want to be able to take advantage of the chance to shoot a wide range of seabirds and whales. These creatures were frequently within sight while we sailed on Ponant’s cruise ship Le Lyrial. The most prominent birds are the numerous species of albatross and petrel. Killer whales, humpbacks and fin whales also were seen during our time cruising on the ship as well as during Zodiac tours.
Onshore, the wildlife is incredibly abundant, and we found ourselves surrounded by colonies of penguins and seals at nearly every stop.
You can unleash your inner polar adventurer on an expedition cruise to Antarctica. Not only will you get to learn a lot about Sir Ernest Shackleton and other legendary explorers of the Antarctic Region, but you also will get to walk in their footsteps.
Daily excursions include Zodiac tours, hikes and long walks along rocky beaches and amid harsh terrain among colonies of seals and penguins.
We crossed the Drake Passage and spent three days in the Antarctic Peninsula. The passage heads due south from Ushuaia, Argentina (the southernmost tip of South America), and can be notoriously turbulent. We were fortunate to face mostly calm waters on the way down, but it’s a coin flip for whether you will get the “Drake Lake” as we did or the “Drake Shake” with swells of more than 25 feet.
In Antarctica, we stopped at Danco Island, Neko Harbour, Cierva Cove, Mikkelsen Harbour, Yankee Harbor, and Aitcho Islands. In these places, we went on walks on the continent and adjacent islands and took skiff tours in the waters to see gentoo penguins, chinstrap penguins, leopard seals, and Weddell seals.
The scenery is surreal, with mountains, ice floes and glaciers serving as the almost-constant backdrop of your trip. Whales were frequently spotted feeding and spouting alongside our ship as we sailed.
Abercrombie & Kent design epic voyages that let you take full advantage of your long trip south. You can start with a few days in Buenos Aires, the vibrant capital of Argentina. While there, you can go on city tours to learn about the culture and history, dig into the food scene with your fill of steaks and empanadas or enjoy the nightlife with tango lessons. A pre-cruise trip to stunning Iguazu Falls is also an option.
They offer Antarctica only trips, but our itinerary called for two other special destinations: South Georgia Island and Stanley in the Falkland Islands.
We departed Antarctica and sailed for two days before arriving at South Georgia, where we spent three days. A nasty storm meant that we had to miss Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands. The schedule typically has cruisers spending one day in Stanley.
South Georgia is a pristine natural wonderland, bursting with wildlife activity. We went ashore at Fortuna Bay to interact with a massive fur seal and King penguin colonies. At Grytviken, an old whaling station site, we were able to see the historic village, which has a museum, gift shop, wrecks of ships run aground and displayed on the shore and a cemetery that is home to Shackleton’s grave. We went on a vigorous hike on a path that goes over the tip of the town and gives amazing views of the bay. Of course, we were amid thousands of fur seals, too.
A skiff tour in Drygalski Fjord put us onto the bluest water I’ve ever seen and up close to sea ice and giant glaciers. One of them calved a couple of times to fill the channel with a thunderous crack and loud splashes.
The sensory overload continued at Salisbury Plain, where we stepped ashore and into one of the largest King penguin colonies in the world, and at Elsehul, a cove where we enjoyed another Zodiac tour amid dozens of species of sea birds and saw our first Macaroni penguins, as well as seals of all types laying on the beaches, rocky cliffsides and playing in the churning waters.
At Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands, you would have the choice of several excursions, including nature walks and visits to a Falkland battlefield. There is also a shuttle service provided so you can explore the region and town on your own. We skipped the port on our sailing, however, because of the storm, which caused 40-feet waves and near hurricane-force winds. (It’s all part of the sailing adventure!)
The luxury expedition ship Le Lyrial was a comfy home with delicious food and great service.
You Can Sail in Style
We visited the Antarctic region in January, which is during the summer season, and we had a mix of rainy and windy days as well as good stretches of sunshine. Temps are definitely cold, and the conditions are rough, rocky, muddy and smelly (the penguin guano is strong) when hiking around onshore.
But the voyage is not without plenty of comforts. The luxury expedition ship Le Lyrial features delicious French cuisine, room service available 24 hours a day and suites with balconies and butlers.
Only a select group of travelers get to all seven continents, and Antarctica is typically the final one that they check off. It definitely can be an expensive trip, but if you have a passion for cruising and travel, an expedition cruise like this will mark the trip of a lifetime. You’ll return with more incredible photos and memories than you could imagine.
You’re also likely to be dreaming of penguins and seals for many nights after your return.
MSC Meraviglia Begins Sailing From Her New Homeport In Miami
MSC Cruises is launching its Cruise Assurance program, providing guests with greater flexibility for existing and new reservations between now and July 31, 2020.
With the new program, for sailings on or before July 31, 2020, guests have the option to cancel their existing reservation up to 48 hours prior to departure and receive a Future Cruise Credit for the amount paid. The Future Cruise Credit can be applied to any future cruise of their choice departing on or before December 31, 2021.
Royal Caribbean International’s newly amplified Freedom of the Seas has debuted its $116 million transformation in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The transformed ship unveils new adventures from bow to stern, including The Perfect Storm duo of high-speed waterslides, a vibrant Caribbean poolscape, the cruise line’s first Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen and new, dedicated spaces for kids and teens. Now sailing, Freedom offers travelers 7-night Southern Caribbean cruises that visit a new, idyllic island each day, from Barbados and Antigua, to the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao).
Thrills on Deck
The Perfect Storm – At three stories high, guests can choose Cyclone or Typhoon to go head to head through winding twists and turns in a heart-pumping faceoff.
A resort-style Caribbean poolscape – Featuring a whole new look, signature poolside bar The Lime & Coconut, live music and a wider variety of seating and shade with the addition of casitas, in-pool loungers and daybeds, the reimagined pool deck is where pool days become an all-day affair. The youngest of travelers can enjoy the new kids aqua park, Splashaway Bay, and adults looking for soothing downtime can head to the renewed Solarium.
Amped-up Flavors
Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen – New to Royal Caribbean, Giovanni’s Italian Kitchen serves up a reimagined menu of authentic Italian dishes with a contemporary flair, from fresh pastas to custom pizzas hand tossed high in the air. The cruise line’s take on “Sunday supper” is complete with limoncello and a wide selection of wines.
El Loco Fresh – Guests can enjoy a poolside fiesta of flavors, including tacos, burritos and quesadillas, at the casual grab-and-go spot. The venue is the first El Loco Fresh that includes a full-service bar with a wide selection of tequilas.
Izumi Hibachi & Sushi – From sushi to sashimi and hibachi, Izumi offers an Asian-inspired dining experience. The menu spans a variety of hot and cold appetizers, entrees and desserts – each made to order with fresh ingredients and impeccable presentation.
Clash for the Crystal City – Two clans, the Yetis and Snowshifters, collide in this glow-in-the-dark laser tag adventure for control of a mystical frozen city.
Adventure Ocean – The award-winning youth program reveals a 360-degree transformation. Its new layout encourages kids to choose their own immersive adventures across several rooms: Play Place, the whimsical space with climbable creations;Arena, where there’s friendly competition; and Hangout, a space to chill and call their own. Three- and 5-year-olds and the tiniest of travelers at 6-36 months old each have dedicated spaces with AO Juniors and AO Babies, respectively.
Social033 – Teenswill rejoice in their exclusive hangout, entirely redesigned to feature the latest in movies, gaming and music, plus a new, private outdoor deck.
Extending the adventure to shore, the amplified Freedom Class ship is sailing week-long Southern Caribbean itineraries that are rich in destinations. Guests can set course for the ultimate, island-hopping vacation to discover many idyllic locales, including Oranjestad, Aruba; Willemstad, Curacao; Bridgetown, Barbados; Saint Johns, Antigua; and Kralendijk, Bonaire.
Freedom joins her sister, Independence of the Seas, as part of the Royal Amplified fleet modernization effort. An investment of more than $1 billion across 10 ships in four years, Royal Caribbean’s program touches every facet of the guest experience and introduces a wide range of new adventures spanning one-of-a-kind attractions and experiential dining and nightlife.
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