CDC Committed to Summer Cruising

 

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Updated May 5, 2021

CDC Issues Phases 2B and 3 of the Conditional Sailing Order (Read CDC release including Technical Instructions for phases)

Below is a high level summary of the update.  Note that cruise lines can speed up the process by sailing with crew 98% vaccinated and passengers 95% vaccinated (which basically means children under 18 aren't vaccinated but adults are).

CDC Committed to Cruise Resumption in Summertime

In today's trade briefing with Celebrity Cruises, we were told about the latest update from the CDC regarding the resumption of cruises out of the United States.  The news is very promising.

In a letter to the cruise industry, CDC on Wednesday covered five parts of the phased approach to the safe resumption of cruises out of the U.S.  

Test Cruises

The phased Conditional Sail Order (CSO) had provisions for "test cruises" before a cruise line could begin revenue sailings.  The cruise line would submit plans and results of their test cruises and the CDC would respond in 30/60 days.   They have reduced the requirement to a 5 day response and furthermore removed the need for test cruises if the following vaccination policy is in place.

Vaccinations

While the CDC can't mandate vaccinations, they are highly recommended and the cruise lines plan to implement the requirement in order to speed up the process of resumption of cruising.  The requirements shown in the chart above are for 98% of the crew to be vaccinated and 95% of the guests.  In Celebrity Cruises case, the crew will be 100% vaccinated and they will be requiring guests 18 or over be vaccinated, so they will be able to meet the 95% requirement.

Crew Travel

There is a color code in the CSO which comes into play for crew embarking on a vessel.  We won't go into details here since this is internal to cruise line operations and not of concern to passengers. The new rules makes it easier for cruise line operations.

Port Support

The CSO calls for the cruise lines to have contingency plans in place in the event there is an outbreak of cases onboard a ship, which is highly unlikely.  The update from the CDC allows nearby ports to work together to provide the necessary capacities that are required.

Returning Home

Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company for Celebrity Cruises, has already have 150,000 passengers sail successfully this year.  There were a total of 7 cases of COVID-19 among all those passengers.  There was no disruption, unlike the problems that happened in the early days of the pandemic before much was known about the disease.

What happens if a passenger tests positive for COVID-19 and must leave the ship?   How do they return home?

If they are local to the port, they can simply drive home.  If they need to fly home, the airline has rules which require quarantine.  They will be quarantined in a local hotel and then allowed to fly home after that period expires.   Your airline or travel professional can help you understand this requirement.

What Will Cruise Experience be Like

Celebrity Cruises (and others) are striving to make the cruise experience as good or better than pre-COVID-19.  The crew are very anxious to get back to work, and will go out of their way to make your voyage a great experience.   Here are just a few ways that this will occur:

• The ships will be operating at 50-60% capacity, while the crew is at 100%, meaning more crew to assist you
• Additional show performances will be added to allow for social distancing, meaning less crowds
• You'll still be able to enjoy a buffet meal, but the crew will serve you instead of you picking out the food yourself, meaning you won't have someone's grubby hands in your food
• Shore excursions may be limited to those offered by the cruise line (depending on the requirements imposed by the ports visited - this is still a work in progres)
• You'll still be able to relax in the spa and enjoy other ship amenities
• In accordance with CDC guidance, other safety measures, including COVID testing, mask use and social distancing will remain important on ships, regardless of whether passengers are vaccinated
• Any COVID-19 testing required onboard (embarkation / disembarkation) will be handled by the cruise line (rules may vary based on destination and cruise line - consult your travel professional).

Traveling This Summer & Beyond

Speaking of  "beyond".  Besides this exciting news from the CDC, Celebrity Cruises unveiled their newest Edge-class ship Celebrity Beyond which will begin sailing one year from now.  In addition, there are several options to sail out of non-U.S. ports of call starting this June.  

Celebrity Cruises Itineraries

Celebrity Cruises has partnered with medical and scientific advisors from their Healthy Sail Panel, Global Head of Public Health and Chief Medical Officer; and local health and government authorities to guide them in the development of their protocols. These measures include reduced capacities, enhanced cleaning and sanitation. and physical distancing. For more information see Announcing our Return to Sailing.

We are also committed to a safe resumption of travel, not just cruising.  We participate in weekly update calls with all our travel partners so that we can bring you the very latest information to help you plan you return to travel.  Please see our Travel Safety Program.

We will be conducting virtual information sessions.  If you'd like to be on our mailing list please contact us.

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When You Wish Upon a Star a New Ship is Born

Today is World Wish Day - what better day to reveal the newest ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet - Disney Wish.   Besides unveiling their new ship in the video below, you'll hear that Disney is donating $1M to Make-a-Wish foundation. That's an organization that is near and dear to our hearts, as we always raise money for them as well throughout the year, and especially during our National Conference.

Photos courtesy Disney

Disney Cruise Line unveils the incredible new spaces and experiences coming to the Disney Wish, setting sail in summer 2022. Get a sneak peek at the magic that awaits during this behind-the-scenes look featuring the creative team bringing this new ship to life. 

Storytelling and families are in the Disney DNA and the Disney Imagineering team showcased both of these in their design of Disney Wish. From the moment you step onboard the ship into the three story Grand Hall atrium you'll experience the magic of Disney as Cinderella greets guests to welcome them onboard Disney Wish. From there you kids can slide into Disney's Oceaneer Club, a real-life wonderland featuring more spaces and stories than ever before, via their own hidden entrance. Adults can use their very special entrance (the door) as well.

Fun in the sun is taken to a new level with a brand-new family water attraction and three themed districts that offer dedicated space for families, children and adults alike. Pictured above is the first-ever Disney attraction at sea, AquaMouse. You’ll be immersed in “The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse” animated shorts as you zoom through 760 feet of winding tubes suspended high above the upper decks. There's also an all-new Toy Story-themed district designed especially for families with toddlers and young children.

Disney didn't forget about the older "kids" either. Adults can unwind and relax in the serenity of Quiet Cove, a secluded adults-only district which will feature a luxurious infinity pool, poolside bar, and chic cafe. And of course, kids of all ages will love the enterainment including several musical productions. We can't let the genie out of the lamp just yet (oops we sorta did a little).

Disney is also well known for their fabulous food and dining venues. Three of the new venues include Arendelle: a Frozen Dining Adventure, where characters from Frozen will entertain you throughout dinner, 1923, paying tribute to the year Disney Studios was founded, features California cultural flavors, and Worlds of Marvel is the first-ever Marvel cinematic dining adventure, where you’ll play an interactive role in an action-packed Avengers mission that unfolds around you, complete with a worldly menu inspired by the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

There's so much more to tell you about, but as they say, a picture is worth more than a thousand words, so let the show begin ...

 

Read more on Disney's Blog

We'd love to help plan your next Disney Adventure. Disney Wish opens for booking on May 27th.

That's not all the new Disney magic ... Walt Disney World kicks off their 50th Anniversary on October 1st and Avengers Campus is coming to Disneyland in June. Let us help make your wishes come true with a Magical Disney vacation on a cruise or in one of their theme parks.

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LNG Powers the Fun

Mardi Gras - You've Come a Long Way Baby

On this Earth Day 2021, Carnival Corporation released a video explaining how Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) will play a role in helping them meet their sustainability goals. 

Carnival Mardi Gras will be the first LNG-powered cruise ship to home port in North America. Mardi Gras, which was to have debuted last year but due to the COVID-19 shutdown, her debut is still to come. Sister ship Carnival Celebration is set to debut out of PortMiami in 2022. 

Mardi Gras, the first of Carnival's Excel class ships, required a new terminal. Port Canaveral rebuilt Cruise Terminal 3 to support what is the largest ship in Carnival’s fleet, coming in at 1,130 feet long, 180,800 gross tons and a 5,282-passenger capacity based on double occupancy. 

 LNG creates less exhaust than commonly used cruise industry fuel. It’s an odorless, colorless fuel in its liquid state kept cold at -259 degrees Fahrenheit. The fuel will be stored in three tanks onboard the ship. While the ship will be refueled weekly, the design allows for 14 days of cruising without refueling. The fuel will power the propulsion system as well as everything else onboard the ship. 

 To operate this LNG powered ship introduces new logistic issues which Carnival has planned for. LNG isn't readily available in all ports of call. A special refueling barge will be used in Port Orlando to refuel the vessel in order to comply with necessary safety protocols. Port Canaveral also invested in additional fire training for their personnel and a new fire boat, to address safety concerns with LNG use. 

Watch this video to learn more about LNG fuel and Carnival's commitment to sustainability. You can also visit carnivalsustainability.com to learn more about their environmental goals and progress to date.

 “The introduction of new, more efficient ships, and investments in other technologies and initiatives, we intend to continue to build on our pledge and continue to reduce emissions and exceed our goals,” the video states.

 
View Mardi Gras Itineraries

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Earth Day 2021

Happy Earth Day 2021
April 22nd
51st Anniversary

Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22. Worldwide, various events are held to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, Earth Day events in more than 193 countries are now coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network.

Restore Our Earth

The theme for Earth Day 2021 is Restore Our Earth, which focuses on natural processes, emerging green technologies, and innovative thinking that can restore the world’s ecosystems.

It is up to each and every one of us to Restore Our Earth not just because we care about the natural world, but because we live on it. We all need a healthy Earth to support our jobs, livelihoods, health & survival, and happiness. A healthy planet is not an option — it is a necessity.

When it comes to individual action for the common good, one of the best ways that people can make an impact for our planet is by cleaning up our public spaces. Our pollution problem is getting out of hand and our environment is suffering for it. Open landfills emit dangerous greenhouse gasses, waste and pollution that enter our oceans and freshwater. Microplastics even make it into our food and the air we breathe.

Restore Our Earth encompasses goals and actions including reforestation, regenerative agriculture and sustainable food, plastic cleanups, climate literacy, and citizen science. From capturing carbon and supporting the health and resilience of communities, to advocating for compulsory, assessed climate education, we have the ability to make lasting changes.

Visit earthday.org on April 22 as we build an Earth Day unlike any other — We’re flooding the digital landscape with livestreamed discussions, a global digital surge, and 24 hours of actions that you can take, right now and from wherever you are.

Make Travel Matter for the Earth

In addition to letting your voices be heard regarding taking action against climate change, you can make an individual impact on our planet.  Read on to learn more.

This Earth Month, The Travel Corporation recognizes more than 100 years of service, and wants to shine a light on their TreadRight Foundation. We'd like to shine our own light on this travel partner of ours for taking the initiative to #MakeTravelMatter.

Whenever you travel with a TTC brand, you support the almost 60 active projects in progress across the globe. From helping end the cruel practice of elephant riding, to supporting local businesses and reducing our environmental impact on the planet, TreadRight is committed to making travel matter wherever your journey takes you.  See their page on Climate Action.

Join us in our cause by signing the #MakeTravelMatter pledge today and committing to Tread Right across the Earth.  Watch this video from last year to learn more about how TreadRight Foundation and you can make a difference.

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