Odyssey Delivered to Royal Caribbean Virtually

Royal Caribbean Group is known for their Tradition, Innovation, and Revolution. Today all three of those traits were observed when they virtually took delivery of their newest Quantum class ship, Odyssey of the Seas from German shipbuilder Meyer Werft in a ceremony that was held virtually on Zoom with dignitaries in various locations, live from Odyssey bridge and deck, along with performances live from Quantum of the Seas. As far as I'm aware this is a first for the cruise industry.

After introductions of the VIPs from Royal Caribbean and Meyer Werft, the traditional lowering of the flag of the country of the shipbuilder (German flag) and the raising of the country the ship sails under (Bahamas flag) was done. 

Then the Royal Caribbean and U.S. flags were raised while the anthem was sung by Whitney Drake from the Royal Theater onboard Quantum of the Seas. It was a very stirring rendition of the anthem.

Next was the traditional blessing of the ship done by Father Sanford Sears of Seafarers' House in Fort Lauderdale. The ceremony concluded with a live performance from Two70 on Quantum of the Seas.

The broadcast concluded with a Q&A session with President & CEO, Michael Bayley responding to a few questions. 

More than 10,000 people worked together to turn dreams of this new ship into reality. Odyssey is the 25th ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet. She will begin sailing to Greece from Israel and when the U.S. ports reopen she will homeport from Fort Lauderdale, FL. sailing to the Caribbean. 

Watch this video to see the entire ceremony. Congratulations to Royal Caribbean and Meyer Werft for this great accomplishment during a pandemic.

 

View Odyssey Of the SeasSailings

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Breaking: German Cruise Ship Rocket Attack

AIDAdiva Cruise Ship      Courtesy: Meyer Werft

German Cruise Ship AIDAdvia 

Under Rocket Attack

Israel's Port of Ashod

Global Travel Industry news outlet, eTurboNews, is reporting that the AIDAdiva cruise ship, filled with German passengers, was struck by rocket debris as it was leaving the Israel port of Ashod today.

According to the article the source of the rockets was unclear.  They could be from either the Hamas or the Israel Defense Force who have been trying to suppress the rocket attacks in the region.
In related news, AP is reporting that the Israeli Army has launched offensive on Gaza Strip to quell rocket attacks.

No Reported Injuries / Damage

According to the report, fortunately there were no casualties or significant damages to the cruise ship. We will monitor this story and provide any updates.

AIDA Cruises has canceled all port calls in Israel for the remainder of the 2014 cruise season.
Santorini, Greece will replace Ashod port call.   Passengers have been notified.

About AIDAdiva

Tonnage	69.200 gt
Overall Length	252 m
Width	32,2 m
Decks	13
Engine Power	36.000 kW
Speed	22 knots
Number of Passenger Cabins	1.025
Number of Outside Cabins	666
Passengers	2.050

MEYER WERFT delivered the AIDAdiva in April 2007

AIDA Statement

A statement released by AIDAdiva voices its regret. The cruise liner said no travel alert was issued by German authorities prior to them sailing to Israel. After the incident, German authorities issued an alert.

AIDA offers cruises to North America, Northern Europe, Western Europe, Southeast Asia, Canary Islands, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Baltic Sea, Red Sea, Black Sea and Dubai cruises.  https://aida.de/

Can't Cruise Like a Norwegian in Tunisia

Future Port Calls to Tunisia CANCELLED

Norwegian Cruise Line began contacting their travel partners today to inform them that all future calls to Tunisia have been cancelled.

This action is in response to an incident that occurred this past weekend when Norwegian Jade called in the Tunis’ Port of La Goulette.  About 20 Israeli nationals and one American, who had a stamp in their passport for Israel, were not allowed to disembark the ship when it docked in Tunisia.   According to reports in the foreign press and travel industry news, there was no reason provided by the government for this action.

Travel Pulse reports that Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s CEO, condemned the “discriminatory act,” saying, “We are outraged by this act and the fact that we were not notified in advance of this practice. We apologize sincerely to our guests who were affected and want them to know that we have taken the appropriate action in response.”

The impacted passengers met with the Captain, but he was not able to provide them with a solution, so they had to remain on board the ship.  There was no mention of any reimbursement for this change in plans.

At press time, there hasn't been a response from the Tunisian government and the port calls have been replaced by a sea day.   We will provide updates in this developing story as information becomes available.

Syria Crisis Impacts Cruise Itineraries

Photo courtesy Holland America Blog

Holland America Noordam

Skips Israel Ports

The crisis in Syria has had its first impact on cruise line itineraries as Holland America Line skipped calls in Haifa and Jerusalem this week citing “the uncertainties of possible military action against Syria and the potential of resulting Syrian attacks on Israel.” as reason for the itinerary changes.

The line replaced these calls with visits to Bodrum and Antalya, Turkey, and Nafplion, Greece.

We previously reported, in Must be Summer - Egypt Calls Canceled, that Noordam had replaced port calls in Port Said & Alexandria with these ports in Israel due to the unrest in Egypt.

Unrest in the Region

As tensions rise in the region, cruise lines and governments will be closely monitoring developments and making adjustments and recommendations as warranted.   As always, regardless of where you are traveling, citizens of the United States and all countries, should be vigilant of their surroundings while abroad.

Here are some resources to help you stay up to date on developments:

Israel, the West Bank and Gaza Country Specific Information

Egypt Country Specific Information

Syria Country Specific Information

International Travel (U.S. Dept. of State)

 

Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) 

 

 

POPE FRANCIS CALLS FOR WORLDWIDE DAY OF PRAYER AND FASTING FOR PEACE IN SYRIA, IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND IN THE WORLD. ON SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7th

 

The Pope is calling on people of all faiths to unite in prayer this coming weekend for peace in Syria, Middle East, and the world.

 

 Read More: THE POPE CONVOKES A DAY OF PRAYER AND PENANCE FOR PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

We will continue to monitor this developing story as unrest continues to impact the travel industry.

Oceania Riviera Maiden Voyage Date Changed

Photo Courtesy Oceania Cruises

Riviera Floated Out At The Fincantieri Shipyard in Genoa

Oceania Riviera

Currently Under Construction

Oceania Riviera, the latest ship to be commissioned by Oceania Cruises, is currently under construction by Fincantieri Shipyard in Genoa, Italy.

Last month, Riviera completed a successful float from the construction dock to the fitting-out pier that will be Riviera's home for the next nine months.  Thousands of craftsman now begin fitting out and finishing her magnificent, designer interiors so that she can join her sister ship, Marina, in European waters.


Maiden Voyage Date Changed

Oceania Cruises announced the rescheduling of the maiden voyage of the Riviera.   The 1,250-passenger ship is now scheduled to sail on April 24, 2012, 10 days later than originally planned. According to Oceania Cruises, the delay will “allow additional time for the staff to familiarize themselves with the ship’s facilities and fine-tune the countless details required to deliver the acclaimed Oceania Cruises experience.”

The Riviera's inaugural voyage will be a 12-day Ancient Grandeur cruise from Athens, with calls at Alexandria and Port Said, Egypt; Haifa and Jerusalem, Israel; Alanya, Rhodes and Patmos, Greece; Kusadasi, Turkey; and an overnight stay in Istanbul.

Since the maiden voyage is now 10 days later and 2 days longer, Oceania Cruises is allowing guests to modify their plans if they desire.  Guests have the following options:

• Keep reservation -  receive 2 bonus days at no extra cost & $250 per guest in shipboard credit
• Book a different voyage - receive $250 per guest toward a future cruise
• Cancel cruise - receive a full refund

Oceania Riviera Ship Profile | Itineraries & Pricing | Deck Plans | Ship Reviews | Photos
Riviera: Debuts in 2012 Tonnage: 66,084 Length: 785 feet Beam: 106 feet Maximum Draught: 24 feet Stabilizers: Yes Cruising Speed: 20 knots Guest Decks: 11	Total Decks: 15 Electric Power or Voltage: 110, 220 AC Guest Capacity: 1,250 (Double Occupancy) Staff Size: 800 Guest to Staff Ratio: 1.57 to 1 Nationality of Officers: European Nationality of Staff: International Country of Registry: Marshall Islands

 Watch for more posts about Oceania Riviera as construction continues. 

Royal Caribbean Holy Land Deployment 2011

Let History Come Alive

On a Holy Land Cruise

This year there are many opportunities to visit the Holy Land where you can see places like old Jerusalem, the Dead Sea, Masada, Bethlehem, the ancient of city of Petra, St Catherine's monastery - the oldest in the world, the Pyramids and the Sphinx of Giza and the ancient cities of Luxor, Karnak and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt.  These cruises often include other ancient cities that played important  roles in the history of the world.

Royal Caribbean Holy Land Cruises 2011

Mariner of the Seas®


11-NIGHT MEDITERRANEAN HOLY LAND
July 11, 2011
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • Haifa, Israel
Ashdod, Israel • Piraeus (Athens), Greece
Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey • Rhodes, Greece
Chania (Souda), Crete, Greece • Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

12/13-NIGHT MEDITERRANEAN HOLY LAND
April 5, 29; May 23; June 16; September 20;
October 14, 2011
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy • Messina (Sicily), Italy
Piraeus (Athens), Greece • Haifa, Israel • Ashdod, Israel
Rhodes, Greece • Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
Chania (Souda), Crete, Greece • Naples, Capri, Italy
Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

12-NIGHT HOLY LAND
September 24; October 6, 18, 30, 2011
Venice, Italy • Haifa, Israel • Ashdod, Israel
Alexandria, Egypt • Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey
Venice, Italy

Vision of the Seas®


10/11-NIGHT HOLY LAND
September 16, 26; October 7, 17, 28, 2011
Istanbul, Turkey • Alexandria, Egypt • Ashdod, Israel
Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey • Istanbul, Turkey

Vision of the Seas
Itineraries & Pricing | Deck Plans | Dining Menus | Wine Lists  

| Kids Programs | Ship Reviews | 360 Tours | Photos

Mariner of the Seas
Itineraries & Pricing | Deck Plans | Dining Menus | Wine Lists 

| Kids Programs | Ship Reviews | 360 Tours | Photos

Keeping Cruise Ship Passengers Safe

Cruise Ship Safety

We've talked about severe weather and how cruise ships avoid the storms, making itinerary changes if needed to keep passengers, crew, and the ship safe.   Weather is only one condition that the ship's captain, officers, and cruise line offices monitor and make decisions about on a daily basis.

Safety in Ports of Call

Besides storms, there are other reasons why a cruise ship might alter its itinerary.   Recently, Princess Cruises cancelled  a cruise call to Ashdod, Israel. Pacific Princess was scheduled to be there on June 2, but when the U.S. Consulate General Jerusalem and the U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv issued a travel warning to Americans to be alert for possible road blockages, demonstrations and protests as a result of the Israeli naval interdiction of a group (or flotilla) of ships attempting to arrive in Gaza, the ship's plans were altered in the interest of passenger safety.   For more information about why Princess Cruises cancelled the call in Israel, see A Letter to Those Concerned About Our Cruises to Israel.

For tips about traveling abroad, travel warnings, country specific information and travel alerts, visit the links on the International Travel tab. 

Safety Onboard

The picture above shows some of the monitoring gauges on a typical cruise ship bridge.   Probably the most devastating event that could occur on a ship would be a fire.   Each cabin and location on the ship is monitored by smoke detectors and other sensors.   When you take a hot shower, you could set off the alarm if you were to leave the bathroom door ajar during your shower.   If that happens during your cruise, don't be upset, but be grateful that someone is watching out for your safety.

Besides state of the art monitoring, a big part of keeping guests and crew safe rests with each and every passenger.   At the beginning of the cruise, a mandatory lifeboat drill is held.   Knowing what to do in an emergency is critical to your safety.   The captain will also provide additional safety information, such as locations of designated smoking areas, instructions about keeping balconies free from combustible materials, and not using certain electrical devices in your cabin.   Please listen to these instructions carefully and follow instructions of crew at all times.

During the embarkation process, passenger identities are verified and a screening of luggage and passengers is performed, just like at an airport.   Your photo will be taken and associated with your cabin key.   Every time you reboard the ship, you will encounter the same security screenings. 

All these measures are done for the safety of all.  Safety officers onboard the ship and in the cruise line offices may not get the recognition, but they are crucial to safe voyages.