(PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., Feb. 24, 2021 — As Holland America Line continues to review and assess its plans around the Canadian Transport Ministry’s Interim Order that closed Canadian ports and waters to passenger vessels, the company is extending its pause of cruise operations to now include all sailings that depart from or conclude in a Canadian port in 2021. This will include several Alaska, three Canada/New England and two Pacific Coastal cruises in summer and fall of this year. It also includes all Land+Sea Journeys.
 
At this time, Alaska cruises departing from mid-May and sailing roundtrip from Seattle, Washington, are not being canceled. Discussions are underway with Canadian and United States government authorities to try to find a path forward to preserve these sailings. As more information is known, an announcement will be made. Guests on impacted Alaska cruises and Land+Sea Journeys involving a Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, gateway may not move to roundtrip Seattle cruises at this time, as these departures are not open for sale pending further announcements.  
 
“Holland America Line, in alliance with our entire industry, is optimistic for the resumption of cruising around North America and worldwide,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “However, we must be practical in our approach by acknowledging the limitations put in place by the current Canadian order that requires us to cancel select sailings. We thank our guests for their patience and understanding and know that they, like us, are eager to see cruising begin again soon.”
 
Cruises impacted by this pause in operation are:

• Alaska: Cruises through September 2021 to Alaska from all departure ports aboard Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam and Zuiderdam. This also includes any Land+Sea Journeys connected with canceled Alaska sailings.
• Pacific Coastal: Two sailings in early October aboard Koningsdam and Oosterdam. 
• Canada/New England: Three cruises aboard Zaandam departing in September 2021.

 
All 2022 Alaska and Canada/New England cruises will operate as scheduled. The Canadian Interim Order expires Feb. 28, 2022.    

(PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (February 24, 2021) – As Princess Cruises continues to review and assess its operations as a result of the Canadian Transport Ministry’s Interim Order that extends the closure of Canadian ports and waters to passenger vessels, the company has found it necessary to cancel the following voyages:

Alaska seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruises, sailing between Vancouver, B.C. and Anchorage (Whittier)

• Pacific Coastals that start or end in Vancouver, B.C.
• Canadian Adventure sailing roundtrip from Southampton, UK

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Princess is engaged with various United States and Canadian government officials to try to preserve a portion of the Alaska and Canada & New England 2021 cruise seasons. In the meantime, Princess has committed to operating the Kenai Princess Wilderness lodge along with McKinley Chalet Resort in Denali and Westmark Fairbanks Hotel this summer and is currently working on vacation land package details that will be announced shortly.
 
"We share in our guests’ disappointment over these cancelled voyages especially as we have been preparing our ships for our return to service,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “Princess Cruises has sailed to Alaska for more than 50 years and the incredible Last Frontier is part of our proud heritage. We understand, how much of Alaska is dependent on the cruise economy. We are going to do all we can to help our business partners and the communities of Alaska.”
For guests currently booked on a cancelled voyage who had paid in full, Princess will automatically rebook them to the same cruise or cruisetour in 2022. No action is required from guests or their travel advisors. The rebooking process will have the added benefit of protecting the guests’ 2021 fare on their 2022 cruise. Once Princess has completed the booking transfer, if the guest would prefer an alternative option, they can choose a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25 USD) or a full refund to the original form of payment.
Guests not paid in full will automatically receive a refundable Future Cruise Credit (FCC) equivalent to 100% of the cruise fare paid plus an additional non-refundable bonus FCC equal to 10% of the cruise fare paid (minimum $25 USD).  
FCCs can be used on any cruises booked by and sailing by December 31, 2022. Alternatively, guests can request a full refund for all monies paid on their booking through this online form. Requests must be received by March 31, 2021 or guests who are not paid in full will automatically receive the Future Cruise Credit option.
Princess will transfer the commission earned by our travel advisors from the cancelled 2021 cruise to the new booking in 2022. This convenience is in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success.

The most current information and instructions for booked guests affected by these cancellations, and more information on FCCs and refunds, can be found online at Information on Impacted & Cancelled Cruises.

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, Feb. 24, 2021 – Royal Caribbean International today revealed all-new short Caribbean sailings that redefine what it means to “get away.” With more ships offering shorter and more frequent escapes in 2022-2023, the cruise line provides vacationers with the flexibility they need without sacrificing the adventure they crave. Guests can make the most of a long weekend away or a midweek break on one of eight innovative ships, departing from five ports across Florida and Texas, sailing 17 distinct itineraries. The convenient 3- to 5-night cruise vacations combine unparalleled onboard experiences with culturally rich destinations perfect for any type of traveler.

There will be no shortage of adventure, from discovering the ancient ruins of Costa Maya, Mexico to exploring the tropical picture-perfect islands of The Bahamas and Caribbean. Guests can also experience the endless thrill and chill that awaits on Perfect Day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s game-changing private destination in The Bahamas. The island features Thrill Waterpark with 13 jaw-dropping slides, like the tallest waterslide in North America; the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool; and Up, Up & Away, the helium balloon that floats up to 450 feet in the air. Vacationers can enjoy The Bahamas’ first floating cabanas at the destination’s Coco Beach Club, which includes a beachside dining experience, infinity pool and private cabanas.

Royal Caribbean’s 2022-2023 seasonal and year-round short Caribbean cruises open for bookings today. Highlights of the sun-soaked sailings include:

Unforgettable Year-Round Adventures

• On the heels of a $116 million amplification in 2020, Freedom of the Seas will sail 3- and 4-night cruises from Miami to Nassau and top-rated Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas.
• Independence of the Seas will continue to sail 3- and 4-night getaways from Orlando’s Port Canaveral to The Bahamas, with full-day visits in Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. 

Tropical Seasonal Getaways

• Liberty of the Seas will take a turn in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to sail alternating 3- and 4-night winter escapes to The Bahamas, including Perfect Day at CocoCay and Grand Bahama Island – a new destination for the ship.
• Mariner of the Seas, the ship that first revolutionized the short Caribbean getaway with amplified experiences, will continue sailing from Port Canaveral through the winter, now with southbound 4- and 5-night cruises to the western Caribbean and Perfect Day at CocoCay.
• Brilliance of the Seas will set sail from Venice (Ravenna), Italy to settle in Tampa, Florida for the winter season. The ship will embark on a mix of 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries, offering select 4-night sailings to Nassau and Key West, Florida.
• Tampa favorite Rhapsody of the Seas will sail 4- and 5-night sailings to Cozumel, Mexico and George Town, Grand Cayman in the spring and early fall. In the heart of summer, vacationers can opt for 7-night adventures visiting Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico.
• Following a summer in the Big Apple, Adventure of the Seas will return to Galveston for the winter season to sail 4- and 5-night Western Caribbean itineraries to Cozumel and Costa Maya.
• Grandeur of the Seas will set its sights on Galveston for the summer in 2022, following the ship’s first winter season cruising from Barbados. The 4- and 5-night itineraries from the Lonestar State will visit the picturesque shores of Costa Maya and Cozumel.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Fans looking for a new way to remember their Carnival cruise at home – or better yet, imagine a future vacation when cruising resumes – can now enjoy Monopoly Carnival Fun Edition, a cruise-themed version on the classic board game.
 
The signature elements of the self-described “Fast Dealing Property Game” game are all there but with a unique twist with 28 popular Carnival Cruise Line features and attractions, including  BOLT, the first roller coaster at sea, Cherry on Top, Lido Marketplace, and JavaBlue Café, serving as landing spots for players.  Each of the spaces have a designated value and players purchase these properties with money emblazoned with the line’s iconic funnel.  There are also Cruise Director Announcements and Funnel Chest Cards with challenges and directions for players while game pieces appropriately enough include a cruise ship.
 
“Everyone has played Monopoly and we’re excited to create this one-of-a-kind version that includes many of Carnival’s most popular onboard spaces that we’re sure our fans will enjoy,” said Andres Villalever, director of retail for Carnival Cruise Line. “We’re always looking for new ways to celebrate the Carnival brand and when we had the opportunity to be a part of this custom-designed Monopoly game, we jumped at the chance.”
 
Monopoly Carnival Fun Edition is colorfully packaged with a giant image of its newest ship, Mardi Gras, on the cover, as well as on the game board itself.
 
Carnival Cruise Line Monopoly is available on the line’s online retail site, https://shop.carnival.com/, for $39.95 

(PRESS RELEASE)_​MIAMI, Feb. 11, 2021 – Royal Caribbean International today opens a new lineup of 2022-2023 adventures on three award-winning ships – Adventure, Anthem and Voyager of the Seas – cruising from the Big Apple and Boston. Vacationers can set sail into vacation mode on cruises headed north or south for 4 to 11 nights. Whether exploring the island jewels of the southern Caribbean, relishing the famed beaches of Bermuda and The Bahamas, taking a day for thrill and chill at Royal Caribbean’s top-rated private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay, or catching the golden hues of fall foliage in New England and the Great White North, guests have their choice of Royal Caribbean’s best season in the Northeast yet.

The new sailings from the Northeast departing from May 2022 to April 2023 are now open for sale. Highlights of the upcoming warm-weather and cooler escapes include:

Adventure of the Seas, packed with onboard thrills like The Perfect Storm trio of waterslides and a variety of dining options including Izumi, will return to Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey to sail a combination of itineraries to Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada. City-dwellers can opt to recharge in the sun with 5-night Bermuda cruises to enjoy the island’s colorful culture, natural beauty and an evening out in the historic city of Kings Wharf during overnight stays. New for summer 2022, Adventure’s 9-night Eastern Caribbean sailings will bring within reach highly sought-after islands, including St. Maarten, Puerto Rico, Bermuda and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Labadee, in Haiti. Vacationers looking to venture north for a brisk getaway have the option of 4- and 9-night cruises heading up the east coast to visit memorable ports of call Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, New Brunswick; Boston; Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine.

New York will also see the return of longtime favorite Anthem of the Seas when it arrives from Southampton, England in October 2022. Known for its groundbreaking attractions, from RipCord by iFly skydiving to the North Star observation capsule, next-generation entertainment and world-class dining, Anthem will set out on 7-night cruises to The Bahamas that include full days in Nassau and Perfect Day at CocoCay. From the tallest waterslide in North America and a signature helium balloon ride that offers the highest vantage point in The Bahamas, to The Bahamas’ first floating cabanas at the island’s exclusive Coco Beach Club, every kind of traveler can find their perfect dose of thrill and chill on Perfect Day at CocoCay. Guests looking for extended time in the tropics can opt for one of Anthem’s 11-night southern Caribbean sailings to iconic isles such as San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John’s, Antigua; Castries, St. Lucia; and Basseterre, St. Kitts & Nevis.

Rounding out the season, Voyager of the Seas will make her Boston debut touting Royal Caribbean favorites, including Battle for Planet Z laser tag and The Perfect Storm waterslides duo that get hearts pumping with three stories of twists and turns. The thrilling combination of experiences will make for unforgettable family vacations on picturesque cruises showcasing the rugged beauty and rich history of the North Atlantic. In the midst of prime leaf peeping season, the 7-night sailings to Canada will bring guests to charming coastal towns, including Saint John, Halifax, as well as Bar Harbor and Portland. Vacationers looking for an escape to warm waters before winter can chart course for San Juan on a 7-night cruise with stops in the Dominican Republic and St. Thomas as well as a day of memory-making at Perfect Day at CocoCay. Voyager will arrive to the U.S. to start her season in Boston following a 14-night Arctic Crossing from Copenhagen, Denmark, which will bring guests to the wild landscapes of Iceland and Greenland along the way. 

(PRESS RELEASE)_New Albany IN, Feb. 2, 2021 – American Queen Steamboat Company (AQSC) and Victory Cruise Lines (VCL), part of the Hornblower® Group, have announced a COVID-19 vaccination mandate for all guests that will go into effect for all sailings beginning July 1, 2021. Additionally, the vaccination requirement will apply to shipboard crew members and non-shipboard employees across all seven vessels in the AQSC and VCL fleets. Established by the operators, this latest protective measure expands upon the enhanced health and safety measures announced in 2020, which includes, but is not limited to, pre-cruise COVID-19 testing of all guests and crew and mask mandate in all public areas where social distancing is not possible. Additionally, AQSC and VCL are continuing to work with leading health advisors, including a partnership with VIKAND Medical Solutions, and under the discretion of the CDC on evolving guidelines to protect guests, crew and the communities the boats visit.

“The health and safety of our guests, crew members and partners continues to remain our top priority. Vaccination requirement for both our guests and crew is the most prudent next step to ensure that we are providing the safest cruising experience possible,” shares John Waggoner, CEO and founder of American Queen Steamboat Company. “Our new vaccination requirement, coupled with comprehensive health and safety protocols and risk-free booking policy, will give our loyal guests another added level of assurance to join us as we return to sailing.”

The mandatory vaccination requirement will be in effect for all itineraries beginning July 1, 2021, and thereafter. Based on current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendation that Phase 1c of the vaccination allocation includes essential workers engaged in transportation, vaccinations should be readily be available and able to be administered to crew members before the July 1 target date, All existing health and safety protocols will continue to remain in place following July 1 and until the CDC recommends otherwise. Guests who are unable to receive both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine prior to their scheduled trip, or who have no intention of receiving the vaccine, should contact the reservations department.
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For additional questions, please visit the AQSC and VCL website for ongoing health and safety protocols.


Health & Safety Protocols
AQSC and VCL have created enhanced health and safety protocols to keep guests, crew and the communities the vessels visit safe in the face of COVID-19. New steps being implemented include 100% testing for guests and crew members, an onboard mask mandate in public areas where social distance cannot be maintained, pre-cruise screening, updated boarding processes and increased sanitation measures. These new policies are in place and ready to be implemented when both cruise lines resume operations this spring. As the situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, AQSC and VCL are prepared to continue to adjust operations and protocols to ensure the wellbeing of everyone involved. These policies, combined with the flexible change policy, reinforce AQSC and VCL’s dedication to guests.