Following the latest announcement by the CDC downgrading the cruise ship travel warning to a moderate Level 2, Royal Caribbean has decided to ease crew restrictions, gradually returning to the pre-pandemic times. The cruise line informed its crew about the protocol updates which include changes to the mask policy, crew shore leave, as well as the return to the onboard benefits and the popular Friends and Family cruise program.
Norwegian Cruise Line cruise ship Norwegian Escape ran aground on a sandbar today, March 14, just off the coast of Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. The incident happen as the cruise ship with 3.223 guests and 1.618 crew departed the port and got stuck shortly after at Taino Bay. Several tug boats were called to assist the ship, however, at this moment there is no progress as the Norwegian Escape has been stuck for 3 hours.
Inger Klein Thorhauge will be the first female captain of the Cunard’s newest ocean liner Queen Anne. Cunard announced the appointment of Captain Thorhauge in the week of International Women’s Day, leading the Queen Anne's on her inaugural season.
Crew Center received a message that a 36-year-old Indonesian crew member has died onboard the Royal Caribbean cruise ship Oasis of the Seas. According to our source, last night Code Alpha for medical emergency was sounded aboard the ship when the crew member was found dead. The crew member was working as a waiter and was already 9 months on the Oasis of the Seas, as he extend his current contract several times.
On Tuesday Puerto Rico welcomed Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise, at the port of San Juan. During the visit Wonder of the Seas Captain Rob Hempstead and his crew were joined by Pedro Pierluisi, the Governor of Puerto Rico, for a traditional plaque and key ceremony to mark the maiden call.
Azamara announced the godmother of their latest cruise ship Azamara Onward ahead of its inaugural cruise set in May this year. The acclaimed travel speaker, entrepreneur, and the brainchild of Wanderful, Beth Santos, will have the honor to baptize the newest ship joining the fleet, the Azamara Onward.
Since returning to operations more than a million guests have sailed onboard Royal Caribbean International cruise ships. More than 28,000 crew members have been brought back to sea.
Making its official debut in the United States Royal Caribbean’s latest and highly anticipated cruise ship Wonder of the Seas set sail on March 4 for the Caribbean from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Costa Cruises' newest flagship Costa Toscana departed from Savona on her maiden voyage. Costa Toscana first 7-night cruise will sail to Marseille, Barcelona, Valencia, Palermo and Civitavecchia (Rome), and this program will run until the end of April 2022.
After two months of voluntary suspension of operations, cruise ships will finally resume sailings in Brazil. Clia Brazil announced on Wednesday the resumption of the cruise season starting on March 5. The rest of the season will feature 19 itineraries and will run through April 18, while the 2022/23 season will officially start in October 2022. Last week, Brazil Ministry of Health released a document allowing cruise ships to resume sailings on March 7.
