The powerful US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) yesterday issued its strictest warning yet about cruising, thanks to the soaring number of cases across the nation, The move comes just a few weeks after the CDC issued a report explaining how cruise lines could safely restart, and a bookings boom which followed positive … Read more
Despite a COVID-19 throwing a sledgehammer into the travel industry, ship-builders have been busier than ever, building and readying ships across the world for sailings in 2021. Whether it be a mega-ship or a tiny expedition ship, cruise lines are gearing up for 2021 to be a year of new ships and new itineraries, some … Read more
Holland America Line will be sending six ships to Alaska in 2021, which will be a massive relief for the region’s tourism industry which has taken a battering from COVID closures. A new report filed by the Federal Maritime Commission, examining the economic impact of COVID-19 on the cruise industry in Alaska, Washington and Oregon … Read more
Holland America Line’s latest ship, Rotterdam celebrated its coin ceremony at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy yesterday. In keeping with the Italian shipbuilding tradition, Mai Elmar, the executive director of Cruise Port Rotterdam in the Netherlands, served as the ship’s madrina (godmother) and officiated in the ceremony. The Dutch coins, minted in 1872, to honour … Read more
Once it was one of the most popular, highly sought-after itinerary – the grand world cruise which traversed the globe in more than 100 days. Today, with international borders still restricted, access to attractive ports limited and airline travel uncertain, major cruise lines including Cunard, Princess and Holland America Line have decided to pause their … Read more
Holland America Line has sold the Maasdam – the ship which sailed Australia and New Zealand. The 27-year-old HAL veteran had gone to an undisclosed buyer. The line has also sold sister ship, Veedam, to the same buyer. The two S-Class ships are among the oldest in the HAL fleet. Stein Kruse, CEO Holland America … Read more
There is much confusion over when international lines will return and cruise in Australian seas. The Federal Government’s official ban on foreign cruise vessels entering local waters ends on 17 September. So what do the cruise lines say about when they’ll be back? Carnival Cruise Line said it will resume cruising when it is safe … Read more
Thousands of Australians are finding themselves cooped up in their hotels for two long weeks during the mandatory quarantine period. Australian dancer, Ashleigh Perrie, an employee of Holland America Line’s MS Zaandam was sailing through Antarctica and onward to South America when the COVID-19 pandemic hit. The performer has gone through quite an ordeal to … Read more
With cruisers stuck at home, lines have turned to virtual cruises to keep their passengers’ travel dreams alive until they get the greenlight to sail again. From Viking’s own television station, Viking.TV to Silversea’s collection of 60 virtual cocktails presented by bartender Alex, you can now tune-in to watch the joys of ocean, river and … Read more
She's the most specious ship yet from luxury line Oceania Cruises. James Sitters tells Rose Kelly and Peter Lynch what's on board the new class of ship, including restaurants, spas and suites.
