ALL THINGS CRUISE AND TRAVEL
Here is where you can find the latest updates on news in the cruise & travel world.
On January 12, 2021, CDC issued an order requiring all air passengers arriving to the U.S. from a foreign country to get tested no more than 3 days before their flight departs and to provide proof of the negative result or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 to the airline before boarding the flight. This Order will go into effect on January 26, 2021. Here is a list of locations where you may obtain a Covid-19 test prior to returning to the U.S. in several popular destinations.
International Travel Update: The head of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) approved an order Tuesday expanding coronavirus testing requirements for nearly all international air travelers starting Jan. 26, 2021.
The new requirements will require all U.S. bound passengers age 2 and over to have a negative COVID-19 test results within three calendar days of travel. The CDC will consider temporary waivers from testing requirements for travelers from some countries with little or no testing capacity.
According to the CDC website: Air passengers are required to get a viral test (a test for current infection) within the 3 days before their flight to the U.S. departs, and provide written documentation of their laboratory test result (paper or electronic copy) to the airline or provide documentation of having recovered from COVID-19. Airlines must confirm the negative test result for all passengers or documentation of recovery before they board. If a passenger does not provide documentation of a negative test or recovery, or chooses not to take a test, the airline must deny boarding to the passenger.
“Testing does not eliminate all risk,” says CDC Director Robert R. Redfield, MD, “but when combined with a period of staying at home and everyday precautions like wearing masks and social distancing, it can make travel safer, healthier, and more responsible by reducing spread on planes, in airports, and at destinations.”
This order was signed by the CDC Director on January 12, 2021 and will become effective on January 26, 2021.
Today December 2, 2020, Norwegian Cruise Line extended the suspension of cruises to include all cruises embarking through February 2021, as well as sailings on the following ships through March 2021; Norwegian Bliss, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Sun, and Pride of America.
Currently, NCL has not suspended cruises in March 2021 for Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Encore and Norwegian Joy.
Guests who have an active reservation on a suspended cruise through March 2021 will automatically receive a refund of their cruise fare in the original form of a payment for the amount paid by January 7, 2021. Additionally, a 10% off coupon will be automatically added to the guest’s account which is valid for one year from date of issue, and can be used for any Norwegian Cruise Line voyage embarking through 2022 and is combinable with any future cruise credits and all future promotions at time of booking.
Today Norwegian Cruise Line announced the extension of their Peace of Mind policy, along with an extension of our final payment schedule. Their hope is that these accommodations will continue to reassure and inspire you to transform their destination daydreams into vacation reality.
Peace of Mind Update
To provide you with the utmost confidence in booking, NCL is extending their Peace of Mind policy to include existing or new reservations made by December 31, 2020 for any voyage from January 1, 2021 through and including October 31, 2021. Peace of Mind gives you the option to cancel up to 15 days in advance of embarkation.
This policy applies to individual and group bookings.
When guests choose to cancel via the Peace of Mind policy, they will receive a full refund in the form of a Future Cruise Credit to be used for sailings that embark through December 31, 2022. To cancel a reservation under the Peace of Mind policy, NCL asks that you contact them via phone.
Final Payment Update
Norwegian Cruise Line is also extending their 60-Day Final Payment Policy to include all sailings through June 30, 2021 for new and existing reservations. This postpones final payment and cancellation penalties from the standard 120 days to 60 days prior to sailing.
Norwegian Cruise Line continues to remain very optimistic about the future and looks forward to welcoming you on board one of their amazing ships very soon.
Today Royal caribbean announced updates to their 2021-2022 winter sailings that includes a refreshed line-up of ships and itineraries in the Caribbean, Australia and New Zealand. Guests will have even more choices in the Caribbean with ships sailing from the most popular cruise ports across Florida and Texas. In Australia, vacationers can choose from three ships sailing throughout the South Pacific and New Zealand. The new itineraries, combined with Royal Caribbean ships and crew, will deliver the signature vacation experience that guests know and love. Highlights of Royal Caribbean’s updated 2021/2022 Winter season include:
The Caribbean
Australia
Here’s a look at Norwegian Cruise Line’s new cruise terminal at PortMiami. The new terminal is approximately 166,500 square feet and will accommodate ships up to 5,000 passengers, and feature new technology to support faster and more efficient embarkation and disembarkation processes, as well as expedited security screening and luggage check-in.
The modern multi-level terminal design offers innovative lighting, inviting indoor and outdoor waiting areas, and other guest unique features to enhance the overall passenger experience. This will certainly be an outstanding additional to PortMiami, the Cruise Capital of the World.
Today, Royal Caribbean announced updates to their summer 2021 deployment as a result of market research and valuable feedback that they have received from their guests. These unrivaled itineraries, combined with Royal Caribbean’s award-winning ships, are guaranteed to deliver an unforgettable vacation. With new options in Europe and additional island time in the Caribbean, this new deployment line-up opens the door for bucket-list adventures — both near and far! Reintroducing a desirable Southern Caribbean summer cruise from San Juan and a first-ever season of shorter Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona, the choices are endless. Highlights of Royal Caribbean’s updated 2021 summer season include: Europe Adventure of the Seas, which was previously scheduled to sail from Copenhagen and Stockholm, will head to Barcelona offering a mix of 4- and 5-night short Mediterranean itineraries to historic destinations like La Spezia and Rome, Italy; Ajaccio, Nice and Marseille, France; and Palma and Ibiza, Spain. A full season of shorter Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona is a brand first! Jewel of the Seas, originally planned to homeport in Amsterdam and Barcelona, will now sail from Copenhagen and Stockholm on 7-night cruises calling on Northern Europe’s picturesque ports of Helsinki, Finland; Tallinn, Estonia; and Visby, Sweden. Caribbean Independence of the Seas, originally sailing from Fort Lauderdale offering 3- and 4-night cruises, will now make the neighboring city of Miami her home for the summer season and offer a combination of 6- and 8-night cruises to the Southern and Western Caribbean, visiting far-flung islands including Aruba and Curacao. Vision of the Seas, previously planned to sail from Barcelona, will sail from San Juan, offering a new summer program from the island of enchantment. She will offer 7-night Southern Caribbean itineraries to exotic destinations like Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis; St. John’s, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; and Bridgetown, Barbados. Brilliance of the Seas, will stay in Tampa for the summer. She will sail 4-, 5- and 7-night cruises to the Caribbean, elevating Caribbean summer sailings from Florida’s west coast. |
