(PRESS RELEASE)_Geneva, Switzerland – August 31, 2022 – MSC Cruises’ new U.S. flagship will be packed with high-tech fun. Today the company announced a range of advanced onboard entertainment options on the upcoming MSC Seascape, starting with ROBOTRON – a thrilling amusement ride coming to the seas for the first time and combining the breath-taking rush of a rollercoaster with personalized music and lighting. The ship will also feature two new VR experiences and additional high-tech entertainment designed for thrill-seekers of all ages.

Rubén A. Rodríguez, President, MSC Cruises USA, said: “We are excited to give our guests more access to cutting-edge experiences, which is why MSC Cruises’ is committed to bringing our newest ships to the U.S. We’re the first cruise line to offer something like ROBOTRON at sea, and we can’t wait for thrill-seekers to discover the ride of their life surrounded by the beauty of the Caribbean. Our new virtual reality motorcycles and flight simulator – plus fan favorites like the MSC Formula Racer and XD Cinema – will also feature truly immersive experiences, providing the most exhilarating line-up of rides we’ve ever offered.”

(PRESS RELEASE)_ATHENS, GREECE (August 30, 2022)  Celestyal , the award-winning, number one choice for travelers to the Greek Islands and the Eastern Mediterranean, has announced a relaxed COVID-19 policy.  For all sailings from August 26th, 2022, all guests 12 years of age and above must continue to be fully vaccinated including proof of a booster (if their original vaccine course was completed more than 270 days prior to embarkation).  All guests are required to have a certified negative COVID antigen test taken no more than 48 hours or a negative PCR test taken no more than 72 hours prior to embarkation, as opposed to the earlier requirement of the test being taken 24 hours prior to embarkation. For those recently recovered from COVID, they can provide a doctor’s note supplemented with the positive test result corresponding to the date which the guest has been diagnosed positive and the negative test result corresponding to the date of recovery.  For citizens of EU countries and countries participating in the EU DCC scheme, an EU DCC (Covid recovery certificate) is required. Masks which were previously mandated in all indoor areas, are no longer required, but instead highly recommended for indoor areas and outdoors when in large crowds.
 
“In accordance with updated guidelines from the European Healthy Gateways, CLIA and Greek health authorities, we are pleased to announce the further relaxation of our health protocols,” said Celestyal Cruises Chief Commercial Officer, Leslie Peden.  “The more flexible requirements provide our guests with the option of testing prior to departing for Greece as well as more flexibility when it comes to masking onboard.  We will continue to liaise with the European Healthy Gateways, CLIA and Greek authorities, as well as all destinations we visit on our cruises, to ensure that we are following the latest protocols with the health and safety of our guests, crew and the communities we serve continuing to be our top priority.”

Celestyal’s health and safety measures are continuously evaluated and adjusted based on new and updated prevention, therapeutics, and mitigation measures.
For more information https://celestyal.com/us/, contact your professional Travel Advisor or call 1 (877) 337-4665.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Fort Lauderdale, Fl. – August 29, 2022 – MSC Cruises, the world’s third largest and fastest-growing cruise brand, will update health and safety protocols for U.S. residents on cruises departing from U.S. ports to the Caribbean and the Bahamas. The cruise line will relax COVID-19 testing and vaccination requirements for U.S. residents on sailings beginning September 1, in line with public health guidelines in its home ports and destinations. While no longer required, MSC Cruises still recommends all U.S. residents be fully vaccinated and tested prior to sailing. Requirements for non-U.S. residents remain unchanged.

(PRESS RELEASE)_ Seattle, Wash., Aug. 25, 2022 — With a rise in travelers wanting to explore global destinations without taking international flights, Holland America Line is launching its “See the World from Your Doorstep” campaign, highlighting the cruise line’s leadership in roundtrip travel from U.S. homeports.

Those who want to avoid a long-haul flight can sail roundtrip from Boston; Fort Lauderdale, Florida; San Diego or Seattle with Holland America Line. The brand has more cruises over 15 nights roundtrip from the U.S. to destinations around the world than any other cruise line, visiting 225 ports in 91 countries.  

By GERRY BARKER

​FT. LAUDERDALE -- American Queen Voyages hosted the grand opening of their new offices here on Wednesday, July 24. City dignitaries, media and invited guests got the chance to tour their 12th floor facilities atop the Coastal Towers building at 2400 E. Commercial Blvd.

American Queen's fleet of ships include riverboats, expedition ships and exploration vessels that travel the rivers of North America, the Great Lakes, Alaska and the Pacific coast (read about our recent Ohio River cruise on American Queen HERE). Check out the event:

(PRESS RELEASE)_Carnival Cruise Line is informing guests and travel agents of additional updates to its pre-cruise testing protocols for unvaccinated guests for voyages departing September 6, 2022, and later. These changes are consistent with what local destinations have advised will be acceptable for arriving cruise guests, and Carnival will continue to work closely with local destinations to protect the health of its guests, crew and the communities the cruise line visits. The updated protocols are:

• In addition to lab administered tests, self-testing is accepted for unvaccinated guests on cruises 15 nights and shorter.
• Certain destinations do not accept unsupervised pre-cruise self-testing, including Bermuda, Canada, Greece, and Spain. If used for visiting these destinations, self-testing must be supervised by a medical professional.
• Regardless of the type of test taken, unvaccinated guests will be required to present their negative test results via VeriFLY or as part of the embarkation process. 

Additionally, travel insurance is no longer a requirement for unvaccinated guests unless it is required by a destination, such as Bermuda. Irrespective of vaccination status, travel insurance is required for all guests visiting Fiji.

Details on guidelines for submitting proof of testing and other COVID-related protocols are available on Carnival’s Have Fun. Be Safe. webpage. Carnival encourages guests to refer to this information as they prepare for any upcoming cruises and to carefully read any other follow-up pre-cruise communications.