Latest Cruise Testing & Vaccination Rules

How Do Changes Impact Your Vacation Plans?

this post serves as an anchor for all updates

Last Update:  October 26, 2022

As of July 18, 2022, CDC’s COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect. CDC will continue to publish guidance to help cruise ships continue to provide a safer and healthier environment for passengers, crew and communities going forward.  Since that time the cruise lines have been working with medical consultants and the various ports of calls to establish new protocols and other guidelines for safe travel.

In early August the cruise lines began announcing their plans and some have already adjusted those further.   We continue to meet with the various cruise lines and get weekly (sometimes daily) updates on the latest protocols, testing, and vaccination requirements.  Here is a summary of the latest information.

Most changes go into effect in early September.

Canada (updated September 28, 2022)

Canada has dropped their travel requirements effective October 1, 2022.   Read More

Cruise Line Announcements

Carnival Corporation

(Carnival, Cunard, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises)   

Updated:  October 26, 2022

Carnival Cruise Line is informing guests and travel agents of additional updates to its pre-cruise testing protocols for guests on voyages 15 nights or less. These changes are consistent with the evolving public health guidelines and will be acceptable for arriving cruise guests effective immediately. 

Updated: October 21, 2022

Princess Cruise Lines has lifted all protocols for most voyages.

Statement

Beginning October 21, protocols to cruising have been lifted. This means that for most voyages there are no longer vaccination or testing requirements. This applies to itineraries to all destinations except where government regulations may vary like Australia and on a few enhanced guidelines voyages that have their own vaccination and testing requirements. 

Updated:  August 24, 2022

Carnival Corporation announced protocol updates that meet public health goals but recognize the evolving nature of COVID-19. With these changes, we are making it easier for more guests to sail with simplified vaccination and testing guidelines, including no testing for vaccinated guests on sailings less than 16 nights, and eliminating the exemption request process for unvaccinated guests, who will only need to show a negative test result at embarkation. 

All new guidelines are effective for cruises departing on Tuesday, Sept. 6, 2022 or later.  Read More

Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruises

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have shared vaccination and pre-cruise testing updates for cruises departing from Los Angeles, Galveston, New Orleans, and European ports. They continue to work with local governments in the Eastern Caribbean to align on vaccination requirements for more itineraries. Read More

August 30, 2022 Update

Celebrity Cruises announced new testing & vaccination rules - particularly of note are changes for Trans-Atlantic sailings which will be coming up shortly.  Read More

Royal Caribbean made similar changes to their sailings.  Read More

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings

October 4, 2022  - Norwegian Cruise Line announced it will eliminate COVID-19 requirements … Read More

September 27, 2022 - Norwegian Cruise Line has updated its health & safety requirements.

(Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises)

The day that many of our customers have been waiting for is here! Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NCLH) which includes Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas Cruises have updated their SailSAFE program with new vaccine requirements to allow unvaccinated guests to sail.   

Disney Cruise Line 

September 27, 2022 - Disney Cruise Line has updated its health & safety requirements.

Today, August 15, Disney Cruise Line announced an update to our Health and Safety Protocols regarding vaccination requirements.  Read More

Windstar 

Small ship line Windstar Cruises has dropped its pre-cruise testing requirements. The line is still requiring that all of its guests be vaccinated to sail.

Azamara  (September 1, 2022)

Azamara has updated their vaccination protocols for Caribbean and European sailings beginning December 1, 2022.  Read More

MSC & Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection (September 2, 2022)

MSC and The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection have relaxed their vaccination and testing protocols for U.S. residents sailing from U.S. ports to the Caribbean and The Bahamas. Read More

Virgin Voyages (September 9, 2022)

In keeping in line with the rest of the travel industry, Virgin Voyages updated their guidelines to make all voyages open to everyone — including Sailors who are unvaccinated.  Read More

Carnival Corp Testing & Vaccination Changes

Carnival Corporation

Updated October 26, 2022

Carnival Cruise Line has updated their pre-cruise testing protocols. Please see the details below.

 

Statement

Carnival Cruise Line is informing guests and travel agents of additional updates to its pre-cruise testing protocols for guests on voyages 15 nights or less. These changes are consistent with the evolving public health guidelines and will be acceptable for arriving cruise guests effective immediately. Vaccines, proof of vaccination, and testing for unvaccinated guests are no longer required on cruises of 15 nights or less. However, Carnival encourages all guests 5 years and older to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines, when eligible, carry proof of vaccination, and get tested before embarkation.

 

What You Need to Know

• Cruises of 15 nights or less: Although not required for either vaccinated or unvaccinated guests, Carnival encourages all guests 5 years and older to take a pre-cruise test within three days of their cruise.
• Cruises of 16 nights or more: Guests age 5 years and older have to present a PCR or antigen test taken within 3 days before sailing (unsupervised self-tests are not accepted).
• A VeriFLY pass is no longer necessary for check-in. 

Princess Cruise Lines has lifted all protocols for most voyages.

Statement

Beginning October 21, protocols to cruising have been lifted. This means that for most voyages there are no longer vaccination or testing requirements. This applies to itineraries to all destinations except where government regulations may vary like Australia and on a few enhanced guidelines voyages that have their own vaccination and testing requirements.

 

Resources

• Important Cruise Details
• Vaccination & testing requirements
• Enhanced guidelines voyages
• FAQs

Updated:  August 24, 2022

Carnival Cruise Line has updated their pre-cruise testing protocols. Please see details below.

Additionally, please be aware that on August 22^nd Bermuda updated their Cruise Passenger Travel Authorisation page and they are now allowing unvaccinated visitors who follow testing protocols to travel to the island. Currently, Carnival is the only cruise line to announce testing changes that reflect this update by the Bermudian government.

 Statement

Carnival Cruise Line is informing guests and travel agents of additional updates to its pre-cruise testing protocols for unvaccinated guests for voyages departing September 6, 2022, and later. These changes are consistent with what local destinations have advised will be acceptable for arriving cruise guests, and Carnival will continue to work closely with local destinations to protect the health of its guests, crew, and the communities the cruise line visits.

What You Need to Know

• In addition to lab administered tests, self-testing is accepted for unvaccinated guests on cruises 15 nights and shorter.
• Certain destinations do not accept unsupervised pre-cruise self-testing, including Bermuda, Canada, Greece, and Spain. If used for visiting these destinations, self-testing must be supervised by a medical professional.
• Regardless of the type of test taken, unvaccinated guests will be required to present their negative test results via VeriFLY or as part of the embarkation process. 
• Travel insurance is no longer a requirement for unvaccinated guests unless it is required by a destination, such as Bermuda. 
• Regardless of vaccination status, travel insurance is required for all guests visiting Fiji.

Cruising Impact Earth Day 2017

 Happy Earth Day 2017 
April 22nd

How Green are Cruise Ships?

Cruise ships operate in every ocean worldwide taking thousands of passengers to all parts of the globe.   There is growing concern that these floating resorts are polluting the waterways and air with all the waste that is generated by normal operations.

Polluted discharges (of sewage, grey water and oily bilge water) and air emissions are the chief sources of problems, but they also mark the biggest potential areas for improvement.

Cruise Ship Environmental Report Card

click to enlarge images        click here for report

Friends of the Earth’s  annual  Cruise Report Card compares the environmental footprint of 17 major cruise lines and 171 cruise ships.  View a PDF of the latest annual report card here.

Disney Cruise Lines was the sole cruise line this year to earn an “A” for transparency by responding to information requests. Every other line, like the year before, refused to confirm its current environmental technologies, resulting in failing grades for transparency.   Read the press release.

Protect the Environment for Future Generations

Most people that love to cruise also have an interest in protecting the environment for the future.   We want to continue our quest to see more of the world, but at the same time, want to make sure Mother Earth is around for generations to come.  So, what can we as individuals do?

For those that are interested in doing your part (click the following links):   See #EarthDayEveryDay on EPA website.  Learn more about the FOE.


Is There Any Good News in the Report Card?

I have to admit that my initial reaction to the report card was one of shock.   The majority of the cruise lines have announced initiatives to protect the environment.   You'll see signs posted in your cabin encouraging you to reuse towels, just like you see in hotel rooms on land.   I have to give them the benefit of the doubt that they do intend to turn things around.

You be the judge - read about the various cruise lines' environmental initiatives.  Also form your own opinion while on your next cruise vacation.  We'd love to hear your feedback.   Together we can have a Happy Earth Day.

When on a cruise ship, do your part by doing the little things:   reuse your towel,  don't throw anything overboard, or pollute in any other way.

We share this information, not to make any cruise line look bad, but rather to call awareness to a growing problem which can seriously impact all living things if left unchecked.  Thank you for reading this article and for doing your part to protect the environment.

Special thanks to the EPA and FOE for their efforts and for publishing the information which was the basis of this article.

Cruise Line Sustainability Links

Here are links to the major contemporary cruise lines.  Search out your favorite cruise lines' environmental initiatives documentation.   If you don't find it, ask them why they aren't being transparent.

Carnival Corporation 2020 Sustainability Report   InfoGraphic

Celebrity Cruise Line Environmental Initiatives

Disney Cruise Line Environmental Overview   

Behind the Waves: DCL’s Commitment to Recycling (Video)

Norwegian Cruise Line Environmental Commitment

Royal Caribbean and the Environment

If you have followed our blog, you know that we began our love for cruising and the oceans over 30 years ago.   That love turned into a profession, which we share with all of you.   We are sharing this information as a wake up call to ourselves, and everyone that enjoys cruising and the destinations we visit.   Let's encourage the cruise line executives and those who travel to protect the future.

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Captain Schettino Prison Sentence Set

Captain Schettino

Convicted & Sentenced

Costa Concorida Trial

 

Just over three years following the capsizing of Costa Concordia off the coast of Giglio, Italy, the Italian court has handed down its verdict in the trial of Captain Schettino. He was sentenced Wednesday to 16 years and one month in prison for multiple counts of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning ship in the 2012 disaster that killed 32 people.


Sentencing by the three judge panel was as follows:

• five years for causing the Jan. 13, 2012, shipwreck
• one year for abandoning the ship 
• one month for false communications to maritime authorities

While this sentence was less than the 26 years and 3 months requested by prosecutors, Schettino had commented (prior to sentencing) that the verdict "should have involved an entire organization and instead sees me as the only defendant." Several of his crew members had already taken deals by pleading guilty to their charges.

Despite the prison sentence, Schettino remains a free man.  The court rejected prosecutors' request that Schettino be immediately arrested. In Italy, defendants have two levels of appeals and sentences don't begin being served until those appeals are exhausted.

The appeals will undoubtedly center around Schettino's contention that no one died because of the collision, but because of problems beyond his control including the following factors:

• helmsman who botched Schettino's orders immediately before and after the collision
• crew members who weren't fluent in English or in Italian, the working language of the ship
• emergency generator failed after the crash 
• water-tight compartment doors also didn't work properly
• lack of emergency drills after cruise started 

We have been covering the entire Costa Concordia accident, including the cleanup and legal proceedings.   For complete details, see our anchor article:  Costa Concordia Listing after Deadly Accident

Related Blog Posts 

Captain Schettino Testifies
Captain Schettino Gets Day in Court or Not
The Legal ABCs of the Costa Concordia Shipwreck (Peter Greenberg)
Costa Concordia Legal Update (Ongoing updates)
Expert Findings Released on Costa Concordia

New Carnival Cruise Line President

With CLIA CEO Christine Duffy at Cruise3sixty

Familiar Face
To Head
Carnival Cruise Line

Right before our National Conference in November, Gerry Cahill announced his retirement as Carnival Cruise Line's President. 

Carnival Corporation & plc., the world’s largest travel and leisure company, today announced that Christine Duffy has been named president of Carnival Cruise Line, with 24 ships, making it the largest of Carnival Corporation’s nine distinct cruise brands. According to the press release, Duffy will assume the role on February 1, 2015 and report to Arnold Donald, the CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc.

I've been fortunate to get to know Christine Duffy through my association with Cruise Lines International Association, Inc (CLIA). I'm pictured with her (above) at the most recent Cruise3Sixty conference which was held earlier this year in Fort Lauderdale, FL.   That event marked the 10th anniversary of the conference, which is attended by agents and member cruise lines from around the globe.

I'm very happy with the selection of Christine Duffy to head up one of the most well-known lines in the industry.  After-all, she has some outstanding qualifications:   she has the same first name as I do, she's my height,  she too has been cruising for 30 years, has a real love for the industry, has the consumer's and agent's interest in mind, and has many more industry qualifications that you can read about in the actual press release.   Here are some quotes from the press release:
 

“Christine is one of the most respected and dynamic leaders in the travel industry,” said Donald. “She brings a wealth of experience to Carnival Cruise Line that will help the cruise line continue to deliver unmatched vacation experiences to millions of guests each year.”

“This is a tremendous opportunity for me to be part of a dynamic organization with a long history of innovation and industry firsts,” said Duffy. “The name Carnival is truly synonymous with cruising and I look forward to joining this talented team to continue the tradition of excellence that has made Carnival Cruise line one of the top cruise lines in the world.”

With Gerry Cahill at the helm, Carnival Cruise Line had some rough seas of late.   We hope that as Christine Duffy assumes the role, the seas are calm.   We are looking forward to working together to help dreams come true on one of the Fun Ships of Carnival.  Congratulations !!

Captain Schettino Testifies

Captain Schettino

Testifies in 

Costa Concorida Trial

 

CNN reporter Barbie Nadeau details Captain Schettino's testimony December 2nd as he took the stand for the first time. Commenting about the trial he said

 "It is exhausting, but I think it is going well," Schettino said of Tuesday's hearing. "It is important because this is the only chance I have to tell my version of events."

Several of his crew members have already taken deals by pleading guilty to their charges. Those testimonies may be hard for Schettino to overcome as he tells his version of the story. He faces up to 23 years in prison if convicted.  The trial began in July, 2013.

We have been covering the entire Costa Concordia accident, including the cleanup and legal proceedings.   For complete details, see our anchor article:  Costa Concordia Listing after Deadly Accident
Related Blog Posts 

Captain Schettino Gets Day in Court or Not
The Legal ABCs of the Costa Concordia Shipwreck (Peter Greenberg)
Costa Concordia Legal Update (Ongoing updates)
Expert Findings Released on Costa Concordia

New CEO at Helm of Carnival Corporation PLC

 
On the same day they announced their second quarter earnings, Carnival Corporation & plc, parent company of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Ibero Cruises, P&O Cruises (Australia) and P&O Cruises (UK), announced that it was splitting roles of Chairman & CEO.

Micky Arison will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board of the company and Arnold W. Donald, a highly experienced and respected business leader who has served on the company's board for the past 12 years, will assume the CEO role effective July 3.  

According to the press release, In his role as chairman, Arison will continue to provide board level oversight for the company and will remain the company's largest shareholder. Donald will lead the executive team, initially focusing on achieving the company's long-term strategic goals while working directly with the operating brand executives.  Frank will continue to serve in his current role as vice chairman and COO of the company, supporting Donald in working with the corporate level executive team.  The move has received unanimous approval from the company's nominating and governance committee as well as the full board of directors.   

"I have been discussing this with the board for some time now and feel the timing is right to align our company with corporate governance best practices and turn over the reins after 34 years as CEO," said Arison.  "Arnold is an exceptional professional with extensive experience in organizational leadership who will bring a fresh perspective to the company.  I have come to value and rely on his judgment and insight during the 12 years he has served on the company's board and I am very confident in his ability to move the organization forward." Arison added, "As chairman, I will still be working closely with Arnold to ensure a great future for all our stakeholders." 

 As you are quite aware Carnival Corporation has been in the news quite a lot the past two years starting with the January, 2012 Costa Concordia disaster in Italy and continuing this year with disabled ships following a fire and other propulsion problems.  Carnival has responded with a $300M project to improve reliability and safety of its vessels.

"I am honored and privileged to have this opportunity to lead the next stage of growth for Carnival Corporation & plc," said Donald. "As a board member, I have come to know Micky, Howard and the company well.  I have a first-hand appreciation of what it has taken to develop this highly successful business, an understanding for the dynamics and challenges we face, and a great deal of confidence in the company's management team and their ability to execute. I have enormous respect for Micky as a visionary in our industry, and as the builder and leader of Carnival.  I have come to know many of the talented professionals who work within Carnival during my time on the board and I look forward to working with the company's many stakeholders including our 90,000 employees, 10 million guests, thousands of travel agent partners, vendors and shareholders around the globe."

Arison remains the company's largest shareholder, which signals his continued efforts to help Carnival Corporation rebuild the company's image and take it to new levels in the industry.

Captain Schettino Trial Set for July

Captain Francesco Schettino, Captain of the Costa Concordia when it ran aground off the coast of Giglio, Italy, will stand trial in a hearing scheduled to begin July 9th in the Tuscan city of Grosseto.

Schettino is accused of multiple counts of manslaughter, causing the accident, and abandoning ship prematurely.  If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.

 According to his lawyer, prosecutors rejected a plea bargain offer from Schettino last month but accepted those of five other officials, including four ship's officers and the crisis coordinator of the vessel's owners, Costa Cruises.  A plea bargain was also accepted for the cruise line as we reported in our previous article:  Costa Fined - No Criminal Charges in Italy for Concordia.

The court also rejected new evidence which Schettino's lawyer indicated would "clarify" that there were other factors, beyond the captain's control, that factored into the accident.  

Related Blog Posts Regarding the Costa Concordia:


Costa Concordia Legal Update

Costa Concordia Listing after Deadly Accident
     

Cruise Lines and Earth Day 2013

Earth Day 2013
 
What are the Cruise Lines Doing to Protect Our Environment?
What can YOU do?

Today is Earth Day.  For some it’s a day to reflect on the world around us and how it seems nature is hanging in the balance.  If we are honest with ourselves, we will realize that we are all a part of the problem.   Our livestyles have contributed to the state of the Earth and until recently, very little was being done about it.


How does cruising impact the Earth?

Each day thousands of passengers and crew take to the waves to visit remarkable places, ecosystems and species around the globe.   If you look at our city streets, you'll realize that we aren't always the neatest people.   Think about all the waste generated during a 7 day cruise.  It takes a lot of fuel to move these floating cities from port to port.  What impact do you think that has?   How about your favorite under the water past-time of visiting the ocean reefs of the world.  Do you thin the fish are happy to see you there?

Are these floating cities, we call cruise ships, eco-friendly?

Today we turn our focus to programs which have been put in place by many of the CLIA member cruise lines.  Here is a sample of what the major lines are doing in the name of protecting the earth.   Consult the websites of your favorite cruise line to see what they are doing.

Celebrity Cruises & Royal Caribbean

Happy Earth Day! Royal Caribbean is committed to environmental stewardship not just today, but every day. Find out how we help keep our oceans blue by running green with the help of Jamie Sweeting, Vice President for Environmental Stewardship and Global Chief Environmental Officer.

Royal Caribbean Is Celebrating Our Amazing Planet! Are You Celebrating Earth Day?

• We have a dedicated Environmental Officer on each of our ships to oversee our environmental stewardship policies and practices. 
•  We consume about 20 to 50 gallons less of fresh water per person per day on our ships, compared to the average person living in the United States
•  We are committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by one-third per person per day by 2015, from a 2005 baseline. In fact in 2010, these efforts translated into a 4.7-percent reduction in fuel consumption per average passenger cruise day over 2009 levels.  Our goal for 2011 is to reduce our fuel consumption by another 5.4 percent.
•  In 2010, we reduced the amount of waste landed ashore from our ships to just 1.15 pounds per person per day, a reduction of 19 percent from the previous year and 47 percent from 2007 levels. As a point of comparison, the average solid waste footprint per person in the United States is approximately 4.3 pounds per day.
• In 1996, we launched the Ocean Fund, which supports marine conservation organizations in safeguarding the health of the world’s oceans.  Since the fund’s establishment, we have contributed more than $11 million to 66 organizations around the world. 

Save the Waves® 
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle - Reduce the generation of waste material, reuse and recycle wherever possible, and properly dispose of remaining wastes.

The Ocean Fund

 In 1996, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (which operates Celebrity Cruises) established the Ocean Fund to support global marine conservation efforts. 

Outreach & Achievements

Keeping our oceans clean doesn't just make good business sense. It's critical to the future of our planet. And you don't have to look far to find examples of our efforts on our ships.

Environmental Initiatives

Carnival Corporation & PLC / Holland America 

In collaboration with the Marine Conservation Institute - a national and globally focused nonprofit organization based in Washington State dedicated to maintaining healthy, living oceans - Holland America Line will debut an in-stateroom video series onboard all its 15 cruise ships highlighting the importance of ocean conservation. 

The "Our Marvelous Oceans" videos can also be viewed at http://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/WSBw-r2B-nb7 or at the Marine Conservation Institute website at www.marine-conservation.org. Find more information on Twitter, Facebook and on the blog Marine Conservation News.



Norwegian Cruise Line

Happy Earth Day! At Norwegian we are so passionate about preserving our oceans that we’ve made environmental protection one of our core company values. We’re leading the cruise industry with the innovative environmental policies and technologies we’ve implemented—from garbage, waste and recycling programs to preventing incidents involving pollution to reducing our operational impact on the environment—just to name a few. In 2011 alone we recycled: 345 Tons of cardboard, 576 tons of scrap metal, 2,035 tons of glass, 720 tons of aluminum and 476 tons of plastic!

Environmental Commitment & Protection of oceans & Shores | Norwegian Cruise Line | Norwegian Cruise Line

Azipod Problems for Carnival Legend

Another Day - Another Problem for Carnival 

We're sure that is how Carnival Cruise Lines President and Chief Executive Gerry Cahill must be feeling as each day there is yet another incident of some kind in the news. It is a bit unfair to them since these types of problems occur on all lines, since they all use products from the same provider (ABB). 

The latest problem announced today is a propulsion problem on Carnival Legend causing them to change its current itinerary and left it limping towards port in Tampa at 14 knots (16 mph).  The ship made it's port call in Mahogany Bay, Roatan, in addition to visiting Cozumel and Costa Maya earlier in the week, but will skip its planned visit to Grand Cayman and proceed to Tampa, FL, it's home port where it is expected to arrive on Sunday.

Once again, Carnival is going above and beyond by compensating passengers: Guests on the current voyage will receive a $100 per person credit and a full refund on pre-purchased shore excursions for Grand Cayman. In addition, guests will receive 50 percent off a future Carnival cruise.

UPDATE:  March 21st: 

Carnival Legend's March 24 sailing will again replace a scheduled call on Grand Cayman with a stop in Costa Maya, the third sailing to do so, because of a problem with one of its Azipod® propulsion units. The remaining port order will also be altered.

Technicians continue to work on the propulsion system.  The problem doesn't impact the hotel operations, but it does cap the maximum speed of the ship which is the reason for the itinerary changes.


Passengers on the affected sailing have the option of canceling and receiving a full refund or rescheduling for a future departure date.  Unless passengers had their heart set on Grand Cayman, they should still experience a fun Caribbean adventure.   Hopefully Carnival will be able to correct this situation soon.


How Does a Ship Move

We'll take this opportunity to look inside the propulsion system that is used on Carnival and most cruise lines. ABB (www.abb.com) is a leader in power and automation technologies that enable utility and industry customers to improve performance while lowering environmental impact. They are the producers of the Azipod® which is used on the Carnival Legend.

What is an Azipod

Azipod® is a podded electric propulsion unit where the variable speed electric motor driving the fixed pitch propeller is in a submerged pod outside the ship hull, and the pod can be rotated around its vertical axis to give the propulsion thrust freely to any direction. Thus the ship does not need rudders, stern transversal thrusters or long shaftlines inside the ship hull. 

Azipod propulsion system was introduced some 20 years ago and the system has gained a position of a major propulsion system for luxury cruise liners and ice going tonnage. The concept has many benefits. Due to the azimuthing propulsion its maneuverability is excellent, it saves space inside the vessel hull and gives a lot of freedom for ship design. Especially in ice going vessels the system improves the performance in ice operation. However, the most important benefit of the system is reduced fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.

More Technical Details

If you still want more technical details or if you are curious about what propulsion unit is on the ship you plan to sail on, see the ABB website which has all the information you'd ever want to know.

ABB, Propulsion Products References 2013
English – 2013-02-05 – 0,35 MB – pdf

Azipod General Presentation
English – 2012-07-06 – 8,54 MB – pdf

To the passengers on Carnival Legend - enjoy your leisurely cruise back to Tampa enjoying all the onboard activities of the ship. Plus do take advantage of the future cruise credit. 

Prosecutors Request Indictments

Seeking 

Manslaughter Indictment

Italian prosecutors involved in the Costa Concordia shipwreck case have made a formal request for a manslaughter indictment against Captain Francesco Schettino.

Prosecutors also requested the indictment of five others including the two deck officers, the helmsman, and Costa Crociere cruise line Marine Operations Director Roberto Ferrarini.

Schettino, dubbed 'captain coward' in the press, has already been found guilty in the public's eyes. He faces possible charges of multiple manslaughter and abandoning ship. He does acknowledge he was distracted and claims that he wasn't in command of the vessel at the time of the incident.

Schettino has consistently denied all charges of wrongdoing. He further says that the actions he took on that fateful night in January, 2012, actually saved lives as he steered the ship closer to shore. He has his own lawsuit pending against Costa Crociere for alleged unfair dismissal and is writing a book about explaining how an even bigger disaster was averted.

Costa Crociere, the Italian subsidiary of Carnival Corporation and owner of Concordia, has asked for a plea bargain agreement in the case. If accepted, the plea bargain could see Costa pay a 1 million euro ($1.35 million) fine, according to the AP.

Carnival Triumph Arrives in Mobile

By Mike Brantley | mbrantley@al.comPress-Register

Carnival Triumph Arrives in Mobile:

Gerry Cahill, Carnival CEO said:

First, I'd like to start with saying how very thankful we all are that the ship is alongside and everyone is safe. I am so appreciative of the efforts of everyone involved in bringing the Carnival Triumph safely to the Port of Mobile.

I want to thank the United States Coast Guard, The Port and City of Mobile, Customs and Border Protection, and the countless other parties who have been incredibly helpful throughout.

I’d also like to thank our shoreside teams for working around the clock to make this happen. And finally, I want to thank our crew for all they have done. We have seen and heard so many reports, online and in the media, from passengers praising the crew’s hard work.

I am now going onboard to talk with our guests and crew, as well as to help with getting our guests off the ship and on their way home. Thank you.

Passengers Disembark Ship

It took several hours for the passengers to disembark the crippled Carnival Triumph when it finally docked in Mobile, AL. The horrific five days at sea were now over. As expected passengers were emotional, some kissing the ground as they got off the ship. There were about 100 buses lined up ready to take the passengers to New Orleans or Houston. Some passengers had people meet them and they stayed in Mobile rather than take a long journey on a bus.

For the passengers, the ordeal is over, but for the crew, the nightmare continues as they will now have the task of cleaning up the trashed ship. They won't be seeing their families or taking hot showers. Carnival hasn't mentioned if they'd get an extra $500 in their paychecks for the long hours they've put in enduring the same or worse conditions as the passengers. Our hats are off to the crew for a job well done doing their best to take care of the passengers during this extraordinary cruise.

 Click Here for Photos of the Stranded Ship at Sea

Carnival Triumph Arrives By Mike Brantley | mbrantley@al.com

Carnival Triumph Statement

U.S.C.G. photo by Lt. Cmdr. Paul McConnell

CARNIVAL TRIUMPH
STATEMENT FROM GERRY CAHILL, PRESIDENT & CEO, CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES

February 11, 2013, 8:30pm ET

The Carnival Triumph, while on a four-day cruise that departed Galveston last Thursday, experienced an engine room fire on Sunday morning and has been without propulsion in the Gulf of Mexico since that time. The ship’s automatic fire extinguishing systems activated and the fire was successfully extinguished. Fortunately, there were no injuries to guests or crew members.

Earlier this evening, the first of two tugboats arrived and is tied up to the ship with the second expected in the early hours of Tuesday morning. We had originally planned to tow the ship to Progreso, Mexico, the closest port to the ship’s location early Sunday. Since that time, the ship has drifted about 90 miles north due to strong currents. This now puts the ship nearly equidistant to Mobile, Alabama and given the strength of the currents, it is preferable to head north to Mobile, rather than attempt to tow against them. We now expect to arrive in Mobile sometime on Thursday, roughly the same time the ship would have arrived in Progreso given the distance the ship has traveled. From there, we will provide the necessary transportation to get our guests home. Mobile also provides simpler re-entry, particularly for the 900 guests onboard traveling without passports.

We have maintained constant contact with the ship’s officers. All of our guests are safe, and we’re doing everything we can to make them as comfortable as possible. The ship has maintained emergency generator power since the fire occurred and the technical team on board has been successful in gradually restoring auxiliary power to operate some basic hotel functions. Currently, public and cabin toilets are operational in certain sections of the ship, power has been restored to a limited number of elevators, and some power in the Lido dining area is providing for hot coffee and limited hot food service.

All guests on the current Carnival Triumph voyage will receive a full refund for the cruise, along with transportation expenses. In addition, they will receive a future cruise credit equal to the amount paid for this voyage, as well as reimbursement of all shipboard purchases during the voyage, with the exception of gift shop and casino charges.

We’re terribly sorry for the inconvenience, discomfort, and frustration our guests are feeling. We know they expected a fantastic vacation, and clearly that is not what they received. Our shipboard and shoreside teams are working around the clock to care for our guests and get them home safely.


Photo Credit: 

GULF OF MEXICO - The Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous stands by to assist the cruise ship Carnival Triumph in the Gulf of Mexico, Feb. 11, 2013. The Carnival Triumph lost propulsion power after an engine room fire Feb. 10, 2013. U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lt. Cmdr. Paul McConnell.

Carnival Triumph Engine Fire

No Casualties or Injuries

A small engine fire broke out Sunday morning onboard Carnival Triumph while it was about 150 miles off the coast of the Yucatan Peninsula.

(Source: Carnival Cruise Line Facebook Page)

The ship’s automatic fire extinguishing systems activated and the fire was contained to the aft engine room. At this time, the fire is fully extinguished.

Carnival reported that no casualties or injuries to guests or crew have been reported.  

Running on Emergency Power  

The ship is currently without propulsion and is operating on emergency generator power while the ship's technical crew assesses the damage and attempts to restore power. In the meantime, a tugboat is being dispatched to the ship's location in the event it is needed. All appropriate authorities including U.S. Coast Guard have been notified

There are 3,143 guests and 1,086 crew on board and all guests have been asked to remain in the ship’s public areas and open decks for their comfort. Guests are being provided with food and refreshments, and all guests on the current voyage will receive a full refund inclusive of gratuities and any transportation expenses.


Voyages Impacted

Carnival  Triumph is currently on a four-day cruise that departed Galveston, Texas on Thursday. Carnival has contacted guests booked on the next voyage which was scheduled to depart tomorrow to make them aware of the situation and advise that tomorrow’s voyage will not depart as scheduled. Guests have the option of cancelling now and receiving a full refund or waiting for further information to determine if a shortened, partial voyage may be possible. 


UPDATED: 11 Feb 2013

The ship's technical crew has determined the vessel will need to be towed to port. A tugboat is en route to the ship's location and will tow the vessel to Progreso, Mexico, which is the closest port to the ship’s current location. This will enable us to disembark guests and get them home as quickly as possible. The ship is expected to arrive in Progreso Wednesday afternoon and guests will be flown from there back to the U.S. 

All guests on the current Carnival Triumph voyage will receive a full refund of the cruise, along with transportation expenses. In addition, they will receive a future cruise credit equal to the amount paid for this voyage, as well as reimbursement of all shipboard purchases during the voyage, with the exception of gift shop and casino charges.

The next two voyages of Carnival Triumph, scheduled to depart Monday, February 11 and Saturday, February 16 are being cancelled. Guests scheduled to sail on either of those voyages will receive a full refund, reimbursement for non-refundable travel expenses and a 25 percent discount on a future three to five-day cruise. Carnival is in contact with impacted guests to advise them of the situation.  

U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Dwayne Bradley

GULF OF MEXICO - The Coast Guard Cutter Vigorous stands by to assist the cruise ship Carnival Triumph in the Gulf of Mexico, Feb. 11, 2013. The Carnival Triumph lost propulsion power after an engine room fire Feb. 10, 2013.

Carnival Triumph Statement (President & CEO Gerry Cahill releases statement)

Tugs Tow Triumph to Mobile 

After drifting without power some 90 miles due to strong currents, Carnival has opted to tow the disabled ship to port in Mobile, Alabama instead of Progresso, Mexico as originally planned.  That decision was announced Monday at 9:15 PM Eastern by the line.   It simplifies two problems - towing against a strong current and getting 900 people without passports back to the United States.
We'll talk about the latter topic in a separate column: Why We Recommend Passports

UPDATED: 12 Feb 2013

Carnival Triumph is on the move under tow by two tugboats.   She is racing along at about 7 knotts (about 8 MPH) and should arrive in Mobile Thursday afternoon.   Limited onboard systems remain functional according to Carnival with periodic problems with the sewage system.  The entertainment staff is doing what they can with activities planned to keep passengers entertained.  Meals and refreshments are being provided poolside in the grille which remained open the majority of the day yesterday and was open early this morning.

Passenger accounts are reporting poor conditions onboard as minimal power prevents systems from functioning.  

Return Travel Arrangements

Carnival Cruise Lines' President and CEO Gerry Cahill address reporters regarding Carnival Triumph during a press conference at the company's headquarters in Miami. 
 
"No one here from Carnival is happy about the conditions aboard ship… there is no question that conditions onboard are very challenging. Most of the public bathrooms, there are 23 public bathrooms, most of them are working," he said during a news conference in Miami. There is also a "good section" of passenger cabins, in the forward and midship sections of the ship, that are working.  



More than 1,500 hotels rooms in Mobile and New Orleans have been booked and 10 charter flights have been secured to fly passengers to Houston on Friday. For passengers with cars at the port of Galveston, buses have been arranged to bring them back.

Carnival is in the process of securing buses for a Thursday evening transfer from Mobile to Houston or Galveston for passengers who would rather get home sooner, Cahill said. 

UPDATED: 13 Feb 2013

Triumph Voyages cancelled through April 13, 2013
Additional Compensation for Guests

Carnival Triumph Additional Cancellations & Compensation 
 

UPDATED: 14 Feb 2013

Another setback for passengers aboard the stricken vessel.  Once again the ship is adrift because of a broken tow line.   Until the tow line can be repaired, the ship will not be underway again.   The ship is scheduled to arrive late tonight in Mobile, Alabama where passengers will board buses either to a hotel or back to Houston.

Passenger discontent appears to be growing as the situation with limited food, water, and toilets lasts even longer.   Pictures posted on the internet show passengers with make-shift signs asking for Help.

Carnival has deployed more than 200 staff to assist in getting the passengers home.

UPDATE FROM CARNIVAL's Page:

Earlier today additional provisions and another generator were delivered via helicopter, to aid in the addition of more hotel services on board.

The Carnival Triumph is currently just outside the mouth of the channel and is expected to enter shortly. Local pilots and other officials have boarded. While this trip could be accomplished in about 3 hours with power, under the circumstances today we expect this to take anywhere from 7 – 10 hours.

We’ve coordinated the arrival process with the Coast Guard and Port Authorities. Two hundred team members were mobilized to be here to assist with the arrival and travel plans for our guests as they debark the ship.
 

U.S. Coast Guard Provides Additional Aid

A Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile MH-60 helicopter crew transported approximately 3,000 pounds of equipment, which included a generator and electrical cables, from the offshore supply vessel Lana Rose to the Carnival Cruise Ship Triumph Wednesday afternoon in the Gulf of Mexico.  The generator will be used to help provide additional power to the cruise ship.

Third Tug Boat Enroute
Carnival has dispatched a third tugboat to assist in towing Carnival Triumph to port. The tugboat is currently en route from Port Fourchon, Louisiana and is expected to arrive at the ship this evening to further support the vessel’s return to Mobile, Alabama on Thursday. The U.S. Coast Guard continues to be on the scene as the ship is in tow.
 

Contact Information

Carnival has contacted the designated emergency contacts for all guests on board. Concerned family and loved ones of guests and crew may call 888.290.5095 or 305.406.5534

We will provide updates as further details are released.  We are happy that emergency equipment functioned and that there were no injuries or casualties resulting from this incident.   

Timeline & Updates
 

10 Feb	Sunday Morning	Small Engine Fire Breaks Out & is Extinguished
10 Feb	All Day	Services knocked out; passengers confined to open decks
11 Feb	12:45 AM EST	USCG Vigorous onsite to assist
11 Feb	06:00 AM EST	Freshwater system; forward sewage, some power restored
11 Feb	Monday Morning	Carnival Elation offloaded food and water
11 Feb	03:00 PM EST	Carnival Legend arrives with food; transports patient needing dialysis
11 Feb	05:00 PM EST	Limited onboard systems restored; passengers return to cabins
11 Feb	Monday Evening	First of two tugboats arrive on scene
11 Feb	08:30 PM EST	Triumph will be towed to Mobile, Alabama, instead of Progreso, Mexico
11 Feb	10:00 AM - 10:00 PM	Meals & refreshments served at poolside grille
12 Feb	7:00 AM	Poolside grille open again for meals & refreshments
12 Feb	Tuesday Morning	Second tugboat arrived early in the morning
12 Feb	10:00 AM EST	Carnival Triumph under tow to Mobile (speed 7 knots)
12 Feb	Tuesday Evening	President and CEO, Gerry Cahill addresses media (watch video above)
13 Feb	2:30 PM EST	Third tugboat enroute to Triumph from Louisiana
13 Feb	2:30 PM EST	USCG Helicopter brings  generator and other supplies
13 Feb	5:45 PM EST	Additional cancellations and compensation announced
14 Feb	Thursday afternoon	Tow line breaks - ship is afloat until it can be repaired
14 Feb	Thursday afternoon	USCG medevacs female passenger who suffered stroke
14 Feb	4 PM EST	Tow line repaired and ship on the move
14 Feb	9 - 11 PM EST	Triumph expected to arrive in Mobile, AL
14 Feb	11:30 PM EST	Carnival Triumph is alongside pier in Mobile, AL

All Carnival Triumph guests should be back home with friends and family by now other than those who opted to stay a little longer in New Orleans and Galveston. Crew will be making their way to other ships or back to their homes over the next few days.


Related Posts:

• Why We Recommend Passports
• Carnival Triumph Statement
• Carnival Triumph Additional Cancellations & Compensation
• Carnival Triumph Arrives in Mobile  
• Carnival Triumph Truth or Dare
• Triumph Fire Investigation  
• Costs Mounting for Carnival Triumph