Thursday, May 27, 2021

EdgeCiting News Someday is Here

Celebrity Edge Magic Carpet
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CELEBRITY CRUISES LEADS INDUSTRY WITH FIRST CRUISE SHIP APPROVED TO SAIL FROM A US PORT

 "Someday is here." 

That was the one-line tweet Celebrity Cruises CEO and President Lisa Lutoff-Perlo used to announce the news yesterday that on Saturday, June 26, the exquisite Celebrity Edge will be the first cruise ship to sail from US waters in more than a year. Captain Kate McCue, the first and still only American female Captain, will have the honor of leading the fleet — and the industry — back into operation.

Celebrity Edge will depart Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, setting sail on a seven-night cruise of the Caribbean in what promises to be a historic moment for the brand and the industry. Celebrity Edge was given the green light by the CDC to be the first ship back in the water, having met all new standards for providing a healthy cruise experience for its guests and crew.

Celebrity Edge will sail with a vaccinated crew. US Guests 16 years and older must be fully vaccinated with all COVID-19 vaccine doses administered at least 14 days prior to sailing. As of August 1, 2021, all US Guests age 12 and older must be fully vaccinated. Requirements for Non-U.S. guests vary, for details please visit https://www.celebritycruises.com/healthy-at-sea

Additional testing and protocols will be confirmed closer to your client’s sailing departure date in line with the most up to date recommendations from local government and health officials as well as our Healthy Sail Panel. These measures, including vaccination and testing requirements, will evolve along with public health standards.

Celebrity Edge will sail alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, FL through October 30th.  She will sail an 8-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary on November 6th.




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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.




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Wednesday, May 26, 2021

Comeback to the World

It’s comeback time – ours, yours and the world’s.

We don't know about you, but we've been missing the world - a lot. 

Last year was going to be amazing for us. We started out in Australia on a Princess Cruise which was sailing through Southern Australia, and then heading for Thailand and Singapore. Just after our trip began, we were notified by email that our cruise would terminate after the last port of call in Australia. Heartbroken, we flew home and shortly after that went into hibernation like the rest of the world. 

We've been dreaming about our next big adventure, waiting for the day that we can plan our own trips, and help our clients turn their dreams into memories. Well the moment has finally come to leave normal behind and get back to amazing! We are ready – and excited – to invite our clients back to the world they love! 

North America & Europe Tours Restarting

Last week, Globus Family of Brands began operating tours in North America, welcoming travelers to our beloved, postcard-perfect national parks. And, this week, the EU announced plans to open borders to vaccinated travelers. As a result, they are solidifying plans to begin operating Avalon river cruises in July and have hundreds of departure dates for Globus, Cosmos and Monograms vacations THIS year!

Soon, we can step inside the colossal walls of the Colosseum; drink-in the splendor of French vineyards; sail through the storied history and storybook scenery of Central Europe and breathe-in wonder from the coastal cliffs of the Atlantic to the picturesque coves of the Mediterranean. 

Lucky for you, Globus unveiled even more opportunities to fall in love with the world again – in North America and Europe. They have introduced Choice Touring by Globus which promises wayfarers and wanderers all the wonder of discovering the world with a touch of whim and all the fun of exploring new destinations with the infusion of flexibility. They are kicking-off this new program this year with 13 NEW Choice Touring vacations in Europe and North America

Contact us to learn more about this new way of touring, but before you go, watch this video to get you ready for your Comeback to the World.


#PlanYourComeback
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Avalon Waterways River Cruises



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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.




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Heading to the Last Frontier

Alaska
Inside Passage Cruising
Round-trip Seattle 

 With the passing of the Alaska Tourism Recovery Act, cruise lines are announcing their return to Alaska this summer.   Normally, cruises would have already started in Alaska, but there was a major roadblock, which was lifted by the passing of this legislation.   Read More

Carnival Corporation

Carnival Corporation (Carnival, Holland America, and Princess Cruises) has announced 7-day Inside Passage voyages from Seattle beginning in July, 2021.

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Miracle Alaska
click images to enlarge
Carnival Miracle Sailings


Carnival Miracle will sail weekly departures starting Tuesday July 27, 2021 through September 14. There are seven 7-day cruises featuring calls in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan, as well as scenic cruising in Tracy Arm Fjord. The September 14 departure is an 8-day cruise with an additional stop in Icy Strait Point. 

The cruises will be open to guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the cruise; proof of vaccination is required.




Holland America Line
Holland America Line will resume operations to Alaska with seven-day itineraries aboard Nieuw Amsterdam, calling at Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Sitka and Ketchikan, with scenic cruising in Glacier Bay and Stephens Passage. The first cruise for the brand is scheduled to depart July 24, with 11 Saturday departures that will operate through Oct. 2.

The cruises will be open to guests who have received their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine at least 14 days before the cruise; proof of vaccination is required.

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises - Alaska
Majestic Princess will sail 7-day Inside Passage voyages which include ports of call in Juneau, Skagway, and Ketchikan with scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park.  The ship will depart on Sundays starting July 25 - September 26.

In a briefing we attended yesterday from Princess Cruises, we learned that not all the protocols have been finalized.  Passengers will need to be fully vaccinated 14 days prior to sailing.  

According to Princess, passengers will be able to disembark the ship on Princess shore excursions or on their own.  They are waiting for CDC guidelines regarding masks and capacity limits, among other safety protocols which will need to be followed.   Princess Cruises will continue to update the trade, so it is best to work with a professional travel advisor so that you have the latest information.


Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group (Celebrity and Royal Caribbean) has announced 7-day Inside Passage voyages from Seattle beginning in July, 2021.

Royal Caribbean

RCI Alaska 2021
Serenade & Ovation Sailings
Royal Caribbean® returns to Alaska with two fan favorites sailing from Seattle. Adventures on Serenade of the Seas® begin July 19, 2021 from her new homeport of Seattle, and the biggest ship in the region, Ovation of the Seas®, returns August 13, 2021. It’s time to take on the untamed thrills of the Last Frontier..

Plan your Alaska cruise with peace of mind knowing that all crew members and vacationers 16 years of age or older will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, and everyone 12 or older after August 1, 2021  will receive a test prior to sailing. These measures are part of Royal Caribbean's commitment to the health and safety of every guest, crew member and community visited. The measures will be evaluated and updated as public health circumstances evolve. 

No matter which itinerary you choose, get ready for fjord flightseeing in Juneau, glacier gazing in Alaska’s Inside Passage, and peak seeking in Endicott Arm and Tracy Arm Fjord.

Celebrity Cruises 
 
Starting on July 23, you’ll be able to discover the wild beauty of Alaska once again aboard the fully revolutionized Celebrity Summit. This 7-night cruise will set sail from Seattle and will visit stunning destinations including Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway. 

During your journey, you’ll have the chance to get up close and personal with towering glaciers, watch whales as they breach the water, and admire the rugged landscapes of the Last Frontier from the comfort of this award-winning ship.

The same health and safety protocols will be implemented on Celebrity Summit.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Bliss Alaska
Norwegian Bliss Sailings
 Norwegian Bliss will sail Alaska itineraries out of Seattle starting August 7, 2021 through October 16, 2021. The itineraries include stops in Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Icy Strait Point. Each stop offers between 7 and 13 hours of port time. 

 Just like the other cruise lines, all adult guests will need to be fully vaccinated to be onboard.





Contact us to book your Alaska adventure today. 

There are many choices when it comes to sailing to Alaska this summer and next year. Alaska is often a once in a lifetime experience, so you want to get it right. As Alaska specialists, we can advise you on the cruise ship that is right for you and your guests. 

In addition, the health and safety protocols continue to evolve, and there is no need for you to concern yourself about understanding them - we will take care of that for you.




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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.




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Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Cruising Returning to Alaska

Cruising Return  to Alaska
click images to enlarge


2021 Alaska Season Open

The Alaska cruise season has a short window, usually from mid-May through September.  The cruise lines have been working closely with the CDC, Alaska, Canada, and government officials to try to salvage at least part of the 2021 Alaska Season.   We are happy to report that it will be possible to have a shortened season.   

While not all details are finalized, the cruise lines are beginning to announce their schedules and booking reservations.   It is anticipated that demand will exceed supply, so book early if this is something you are interested in doing.

PVSA legislature

What is PVSA

The Passenger Vessel Services Act of 1886 (sometimes abbreviated to PVSA) is a protectionist piece of United States legislation which came into force in 1886 relating to transport of goods or passengers between two places in the same country by a transport operator from another country.
No foreign vessels shall transport passengers between ports or places in the United States, either directly or by way of a foreign port, under a penalty of $200 (now $762) for each passenger so transported and landed.
The Passenger Vessel Services Act, however, 
  • does not prohibit foreign-flagged ships departing from and returning to the same U.S. port, provided the ship visits any foreign port; 
  • does not prohibit foreign-flagged ships departing from a U.S. port, visiting a distant foreign port, and then continuing to a second U.S. port. However, in order to embark in a U.S. port and disembark in a second U.S. port, the vessel must visit a distant foreign port outside of North America (Central America, Bermuda, the Bahamas, and all of the Caribbean except Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, count as part of North America).
 
Because of this legislation, cruise ships typically stop in a Canadian port when cruising in Alaska to avoid the fees per passenger. Since Canada has not opened their borders to cruise ships, the Alaska season was in jeopardy, even if CDC gave the green light to resume cruises from U.S. ports this summer.
Note:  some people call the PVSA the Jones Act -- but they are two different things. The Jones Act is a federal law that regulates maritime commerce in the United States. The Jones Act requires goods shipped between U.S. ports to be transported on ships that are built, owned, and operated by United States citizens or permanent residents.
Alaska Tourism Restoration Act

Late last week, after ASTA Legislature Day on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., both the Senate and House of Representatives passed legislation that would allow cruise ships to avoid stopping in a foreign port (somewhere in Canada) during the Alaskan cruise.   President Biden signed it into law on Monday.

Several cruise lines have posted their plans for inside passage cruises from Seattle, Washington.  These will be roundtrip seven day cruises.  Cruisetours will not occur on these voyages, however we work with suppliers that could provide a land tour.

We will post additional details about the cruises to Alaska, as well as additional destinations, in blog posts.   Be sure to follow us for the latest news.   Contact us to help plan your next vacation on land or sea.   Just like the Alaskans, we depend on tourism for our income, so we appreciate the opportunity to create new memories for you and your traveling companions.   We also have all the details regarding health and safety so you can plan with confidence.


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I recently completed extensive training and have become Travel Safety Verified. As your dedicated Travel Advisor, your safety is our priority, and it's our job to ensure you have the necessary information you need to give you confidence and peace of mind when making your future travel plans. Click the link to review our Travel Safety program with valuable resources that will answer many of your questions.




Where have you explored? 

Gather your travel and food pics and join us every Wednesday night for the latest installment of #FoodTravelChat