(PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., March 16, 2021 — Holland America Line has announced it is extending its pause of cruise operations to now include all June 2021 roundtrip sailings to Alaska from Seattle, Washington. This includes six cruises on Eurodam and Oosterdam with a call at Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
 
At this time, Alaska cruises sailing roundtrip from Seattle departing in July and onward have not been canceled. Following the earlier Canadian Transport Ministry Interim Order that closed Canadian ports to passenger vessels, discussions continue with Canadian and United States government authorities to try to preserve remaining Seattle Alaska sailings. Holland America Line previously announced the cancellation of all 2021 Alaska cruises to or from Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
 
“We continue to stay actively engaged in dialogue with authorities in Canada and the United States to understand what cruise opportunities may still exist in Alaska, knowing how important this market is not only to our brand, but to the communities and individuals who depend on our business,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “We share with our guests the disappointment of canceling these voyages, and we remain hopeful that we can operate some of the Alaska cruise season.”
 
All Guests Will be Moved to a Comparable Alaska Cruise in 2022
Guests currently booked on the canceled roundtrip Seattle-Alaska June departures will automatically be moved to an equivalent cruise in 2022 at the 2021 fare – with all cash and Future Cruise Credit funds moved to the new booking.
 
Once a new booking confirmation is received, if guests decide not to accept the 2022 cruise booking, they will have the option to decline the booking and receive an FCC of 110% of any cash paid. Guests will also be able to request a full refund of all monies paid to Holland America Line.
 
The minimum FCC is $25 and will be valid for sailings departing through Dec. 31, 2022, and will be moved to the guest loyalty account. Non–cruise fare purchases (shore excursions, airfare, gifts, dining and spa) will be transferred to a new booking or automatically refunded via the method of payment used to purchase the goods or services.
 
Other booking and cancellation conditions and policies may apply if the cruise was not booked through Holland America Line. 
 
For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Participants the world-over “zoomed” together March 8-9 for “Seatrade Cruise Virtual – Expedition Cruising” to learn more about one of the cruise industry’s fastest-growing segments. The keynote session, “The State of the Expedition Cruise Industry,” brought together five leaders who provided insight into where it stands and where it’s going.
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Moderated by the Seatrade News Editor Anne Kalosh, she asked the panelists why expedition cruising is booming. One reason, cited by Roberto Martinoli, president and CEO of Silversea Cruises, is “it’s a great value for the whole cruise industry, going to places you can only reach on a ship” and attracting many first-time cruisers.

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(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, MARCH 12, 2021 – Reservations are now open for the recently announced 2022 deployment for Crystal River Cruises’ Crystal Mozart and Crystal Mahler. Crystal River Cruises unveiled the new itineraries for the two ships this week, also announcing that Crystal Mozart will set sail next year with the industry’s first dedicated suites for solo travelers, available with no single supplement. Travelers can now book an array of new itineraries including Crystal Mozart’s convenient seven-night Danube Dreams & Discoveries round-trip from Vienna and new Christmas and New Year’s sailings. Aboard Crystal Mahler, guests have a selection of new routes at their fingertips, including five-night summer Rhine & Moselle Summer Escapes sailings between Amsterdam and Trier; 10-night fall Splendors of the Rhine & Moselle voyages between Amsterdam and Basel; 14-night Magnificent Europe sailings between Amsterdam and Budapest on the Rhine, Main and Danube rivers; and a 10-night Holidays on the Rhine sailing from Basel to Amsterdam.

In addition to the new itineraries, Crystal Mahler will sail popular seven-night Romantic Rhine and Legendary Rhine itineraries between Amsterdam and Basel and springtime Tulips & Windmills voyages on Dutch waterways and the Rhine River round-trip from Amsterdam. The latter showcases the once-in-a-decade Floriade Expo near Amsterdam, where the city and surrounding area transform with flora and greenery from across the globe.

Cruise fares for the new 2022 Crystal River Cruises start at $2,999 per guest, with Book Now Savings up to $1,000 per guest, five percent savings when guests book back-to-back cruises and exclusive Crystal Society savings.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line today announced it will partner with the Rotary Clubs of Grand Bahama Island to distribute humanitarian aid to local food banks around Grand Bahama Island. The official statement, delivered by Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line CEO Oneil Khosa, is as follows:

“The past year has been an incredible challenge, not just for the cruise industry, but for the many destinations that rely on cruising as their primary source of economic development and sustainability. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line has always had a special bond with our ‘home-away-from-home’ Grand Bahama Island, and we remain committed to helping our friends and neighbors there in every way we can. This was seen in the 2019 aftermath of Hurricane Dorian, and can be seen through other various initiatives we have launched to support GBI over the years.

"While we are eager to return safely to sea and welcome guests back onboard, the delay in sailing operations we’ve encountered during the COVID-19 global pandemic has presented a unique opportunity to further our mission of giving back. We are pleased to share that beginning today, we will offload a large quantity of supplies, including frozen meats, canned goods and other non-perishables, from Grand Classica. These items will be donated to those in need within our community. This comes with the help of James Sarles from the Rotary Clubs of Grand Bahama Island, who we worked with during our humanitarian sailings in 2019, at which time we successfully delivered more than 275,000 pounds of food and other supplies to the Bahamas. 

"We are grateful for the tremendous support of the Bahamian government, who we have worked closely with throughout the years, to make this happen.”"

For information on the cruise line, visit www.BahamasParadiseCruise.com. Follow Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line on Facebook at Facebook.com/BPCruiseLine, Instagram @BahamasParadiseCruiseLine, and Twitter @BPCruiseLine.

(PRESS RELEASE)_NASSAU AND MIAMI, MARCH 11, 2021 – Today, in a joint virtual press conference with the Honorable Dionisio D’Aguilar, Minister of Tourism & Aviation for The Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Crystal Cruises announced its plans to restart cruising with new close-to-home Bahamas Escapes beginning July 3, 2021 with a series of 16 seven-night, round-trip cruises from Nassau on its award-winning flag ship, Crystal Serenity. In addition to its Nassau itineraries, Crystal will also offer 16 seven-night voyages round-trip from Bimini beginning on July 4, 2021. With her new Bahamas Escapes cruises, Crystal Serenity becomes the first ship to homeport in The Bahamas, as well as the first ocean ship to sail from the Americas since the cruise industry’s voluntary halt in operations almost a year ago. In attendance at today’s press conference announcing the new Bahamas Escapes cruises were Jack Anderson, Crystal’s interim president and CEO, Minister D’Aguilar and Director General Joy Jibrilu, The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism.

“Like our guests, we have been eagerly looking forward to the day we can welcome them back on board, and we’re thrilled that this day will come in The Bahamas,” Anderson said. “The new Bahamas Escapes cruises will allow travelers to enjoy luxury cruising now, as well as bring much-needed benefits to the local workforce, airlines, restaurants, retailers and hotels for pre- and post-cruise stays. The launch of these cruises will also drive economic growth to The Bahamas, which, like other destinations around the world, has been negatively affected by the global pandemic.”

“The Bahamas is ready and delighted to welcome cruise visitors back to the islands and to partner with Crystal Cruises in the effort to restore and help re-activate our tourism industry and protect jobs and businesses,” D’Aguilar said. “Crystal Cruises will go on record as the only cruise line offering Bahamas-only voyages that highlight the signature features and experiences travelers can find here in our islands, and the support that these cruises will bring to multiple communities within the country will be tremendous. We have worked tirelessly to ensure a safe and healthy stay for all travelers, enhancing the innately spacious and outdoor-focused experience the islands provide. Guests will find ample room to roam and a warm welcome from the people of this unique destination.”

(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI, March 11, 2021 – Royal Caribbean International is inviting vacationers to venture off –the beaten path as part of the cruise line’s 2022-2023 long Caribbean deployment. A variety of 6-night Western Caribbean and 8- to 11-night Southern Caribbean sailings will tout jaw-dropping itineraries and immersive excursions across 16 destinations. From strolling the brightly colored neighborhoods of Antigua and stopping for roadside barbecue in St. Maarten, to reveling in the historic ruins of Colón, Panama and exploring the twin Piton mountains in St. Lucia, vacationers can find their stride exploring both soft-sand beaches and inland gems. Evening and late-night stays in the ABC Islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) and Puerto Rico mean more time for travelers to journey further into the islands, experience the Caribbean nightlife, or do both.

There will be no shortage of adventure on the 6-night, sun-soaked winter cruises with nearly all itineraries visiting Royal Caribbean’s game-changing private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas. Primed for memory making, family and friends can partake in first-of-their-kind thrills at Thrill Waterpark on their choice of 13 jaw-dropping slides, including the tallest waterslide in North America, and one-of-a-kind ways to chill in the Caribbean’s largest freshwater pool – complete with swim-up bar – or at Coco Beach Club, home to the first floating cabanas in The Bahamas, a beachside dining experience, infinity pool and private cabanas.

(PRESS RELEASE)_Seattle, Wash., March 9, 2021 — While Holland America Line continues to work with government and port authorities to develop its plans to return to cruising, the company is extending its pause of European cruise operations to include departures through June 30, 2021.
 
The pause will impact cruises departing in May and June on Nieuw Statendam, Volendam and Westerdam, along with the Collectors’ Voyages associated with those canceled cruises. Collectors’ Voyages combine nonrepeating itineraries for an extended, back-to-back cruise experience.
 
Cruises affected by this pause in operation are:

• Nieuw Statendam: Eight departures from May 2 through June 27, 2021, that include seven- and 14-day Norway and Baltic itineraries, as well as the 14- and 21-day Collectors’ Voyages of those cruises.
• Volendam: June 19, 2021, 14-day Adriatic Dream cruise and the 24-day Adriatic Dream and Greek Odyssey Collectors’ Voyage departing the same date. 
• Westerdam: June 19, 2021, 12-day Greece and Adriatic Antiquities cruise and the 24-day Adriatic Antiquities and Mediterranean Romance Collectors’ Voyage departing the same date.

 
All Guests Able to Rebook in 2022 on a Comparable Cruise
Holland America Line is notifying all guests and their travel advisors of their options. Guests currently booked on the canceled Europe departures will be able to rebook on an equivalent cruise in 2022 at the 2021 fare – with all cash and Future Cruise Credit funds moved to the new booking. Guests will be offered a comparable cruise in 2022 to replace the canceled voyage and instructions on how to confirm this selection online.
 
If guests decide not to accept a cruise booking in 2022 by April 15, 2021, they automatically default to receive a Future Cruise Credit of 110% of any cash paid on the booking. The minimum FCC is $25 and the maximum will be an amount up to the base cruise fare paid. Guests will retain any other FCC used for the canceled 2021 booking with all FCC amounts moved to their loyalty account for use on a future cruise booking. For all bookings in 2022, standard cancellation policies apply.
 
Full Refund Option Also Available
Guests who prefer a 100% refund of monies paid to Holland America Line can visit the Cancellation Preferences Form to indicate their preference no later than April 15, 2021. 
 
The FCC is valid for sailings departing through Dec. 31, 2022. Noncruise fare purchases — shore excursions, airfare, gifts, dining and spa — will be transferred to a new booking if possible or automatically refunded via the method of payment used to purchase the services.
  
The above options are not applicable to guests booked on a charter sailing. Other booking and cancellation conditions and policies may apply if the cruise was not booked through Holland America Line. See the terms and conditions in the Cancellation Preferences Form for all details.
 
Holland America Line previously paused global cruise operations and canceled all   departures on all ships through April 30, 2021; Mediterranean cruises through early June; and all departures sailing to or from a Canadian port in 2021.
 
Holland America Line is closely following the protocols set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other authorities and is preparing ships and implementing procedures to meet all requirements for approval once a restart date is determined.
 
For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.