Choose Your Cruise – February 5, 2021
Oh, Canada. By now you’ve probably heard that our neighbors to the North have taken extreme measures against the cruise industry, banning all cruise ships over 100 people (so, pretty much all of them) from calling on Canadian ports until February 28, 2022. Without even the courtesy
Canada Bans Cruise Ships Until February 2022
In an effort to “monitor the evolving COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it is having on the marine and tourism sectors,” Canada has issued two new Interim Orders which prohibit pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters and cruise vessels in all Canadian waters until February 28, 2022.
Significant Cruise Operations Doubtful This Year Says Florida Ports Council
As cruisers wait patiently for their chance to sail once again, a spokesperson for the Florida Ports Council has expressed doubts that the industry will see significant operations until 2022. Michael Rubin, VP of Governmental Affairs for the Florida Ports Council, speaking at a meeting of the Florid
Brief Encounters in the Andes
The ancient Incan warrior-priest, unmoving and in the shadows, remains unnoticed until he brandishes his long-handled battle-ax at us. My companions and I are in a cozy corner of the 500-year-old Palacio del Inka hotel in Cusco, awaiting a history lecture … we think. What we get instead is a one-m
It’s Time To Go Now
Would I be alone in sharing that over the past ten months of travel isolation, I’m tired of the ritualistic trip to the supermarket, the daily perusal of Netflix for mental stimulation and most of all the non-stop regurgitation of political discourse that’s fed to us every day? OK, good, we’re
Princess Cruises Bets on Growing Popularity of Sports Gambling
The big game is just a week away and for NFL fans, the championship match is one of biggest gambling days of the year. In fact, the popularity of sports gambling has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years as several states like New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Indiana and now Michigan have legal
Norwegian Cruise Line’s CEO Harry Sommer Teases New Dining Concepts
There’s a lot to love about a cruise vacation, but at the top of the list for most people is the fabulous dining options found on today’s vessels. Restaurants catering to all palates are a staple on modern cruise ships from the outstandingly elegant to the casual and delicious and everyt
New COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Don’t Apply to USVI
Yes, we’re still America. That’s the message from U.S. Virgin Islands Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte to travelers worried about the new COVID-19 restrictions put in place by the CDC last week. Travel to St. Croix, St. John, St. Thomas or Water Island requires a negative COVID-1
MSC Cruises Welcomes Virtuosa to their Fleet
MSC Cruises’ prolific run of new ships continued today as the cruise line welcomed an 18th ship to their fleet. MSC Virtuosa is billed as one of the most environmentally-conscious ships ever made and is the first of two new ships launching this year for the cruise line. A
Intention is to Vaccinate Crew Says NCL’s Harry Sommer
2020 was a long year for the cruise and travel industry, but the fact that the United States is currently administering more than 1 million COVID-19 vaccines per day is a giant step forward for a return to normal operation. While there’s been plenty of focus on cruise passengers getting vaccin
Carnival Cruise Line Breaks Ground on New Terminal F
On a sunny, cool morning in Miami, cruise industry leaders, port officials and a host of local and national media joined Carnival Cruise Line for a groundbreaking ceremony for the 471,500 square foot Terminal F. Once completed the new terminal will be home to the upcoming Carnival Celebration, the f
Choose Your Cruise – January 29, 2021
Happy Friday everyone! It’s been a wild week in terms of cruise news with former Holland America President Orlando Ashford announcing his employment with the recently sold Azamara. We also posted a helpful list of places where Americans can travel without a required 14-day quarantine. You may
Cruise Ship Entertainers Collaborate on “Scandalous Nights Variety Show”
One of the best parts about a cruise vacation is the incredible entertainment found on board. From musicians and singers to dancers and even magicians, there’s always a live show to enjoy when you’re cruising. Unfortunately, it’s been a difficult year for entertainers since the cru
Orlando Ashford Named Executive Chairman of Azamara
It wasn’t a long hiatus from the cruise industry for Orlando Ashford. The former President of Holland America Line stepped down from the company in May of 2020 after six years at the helm, but the news today is he’s back operating a cruise line! Sycamore Partners, the private equit
Exploring Windstar Cruises’ New Voyage Planner
Raise your hand if you’ve had a cruise cancelled in the past 10 months. Since March 2020, excited cruises have been booking months in advance only to have their sailing cancelled or postponed because cruise lines aren’t able to resume service. Of all the comments we’ve been getting
10 Places You Can Visit Right Now
IMPORTANT: As of January 26, 2021, the CDC requires all air travelers to have a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of boarding all airlines RETURNING TO THE UNITED STATES. Plan accordingly! Travel isn’t easy these days. It’s been a long time since Americans could hop on a
MSC Cruises Resumes Service in the Western Mediterranean
Need something positive to help you break free from the doldrums of January? MSC Cruises has resumed operation in the Mediterranean on board their flagship MSC Grandiosa after a holiday season break due to the Italian COVID-19 decree that restricted movement within the country. The&nb
Carnival Cruise Line Releases Plans for Additional Ship Deployments
Cruise lines have made it clear throughout the pandemic that when they restart operation, it will be a phased approach. Today, Carnival Cruise Line released new details about their plan to restart operation and it includes some interesting nuggets about where the cruise line will be sailing in 2021
Choose Your Cruise – January 22, 2021
Happy Friday! We’re cruising into the weekend with a few awesome trips you can book for 2021 and beyond. Next week, MSC Cruises is restarting operation in Italy with permission from the government so we’re going to be watching that very closely. Successful sailing in the Mediterranean wo
U.S. Virgin Islands Remind Travelers to Get Tested
The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism reminded visitors from the mainland United States that they must to use the Travel Screening Portal at usvitravelportal.com to submit the required negative COVID-19 test results prior to traveling to the Territory. According to Commissioner of
