Most cruise lines suggest you do wear masks in crowded indoor situationsbut its not enforced. Photo by Gary Hershorn/Getty. Victoria Alvarez knew Carnival had easeditsprotocols by the time she got on her Caribbean cruise in late September. That said, specific countries have their own requirements, and several countries still require that cruise ship passengers are vaccinated and/or tested before arrival. Cruises were popular choices in previous inflationary periods, Donald added, because of their great value and largely affordable pricing. All Contents Copyright 2023 Cruise Radio, Inc. | Website Designed by Insider Perks, Inc. Get the real facts delivered straight to your inbox, with trustworthy cruise related news. Consider that only three years ago, in the first months of the coronavirus pandemic, all cruise lines suspended operations and that in the ensuing months, the shares of publicly traded cruise companies were devastated. But the risk of getting COVID-19 did cross her mind during the trip. Many top performers in the stock market for the first half of this year were exactly what you would expect, if youve been following the news. Airline points transfer ratios are poor. However, he noted that vaccinated passengers can still spread the virus. All major cruise lines suspended operations, as passengers canceled their bookings en masse. Stay up to date! Carnival hadpreviously reported 214, 265, and another 214 new cases in the three weeks leading up to the change, respectively, including the week of Sept. 4. We've had geopolitical tensions before. The companies had virtually no revenue and mounting debt, and their ability to remain going concerns was in doubt. "Wejust saved our swimming for the islands," she said. The damage could be seen from Chopper 5, and on the ground, passengers embarking on the Ruby Princess' next 10-day trip to Alaska got an up-close look. Princess Cruises two newest ships, both of which are still under construction, will be posted to the Mediterranean in 2025. Get all the latest & greatest posts delivered straight to your inbox, Notorious Ruby Princess Cruise Ship, Which Carried Early COVID Cases, Just Crashed Into Pier 27, showed up in Hawaii with over 100 positive cases, Remember the COVID-Stricken Cruise Ship That Docked In SF Last Month? Linda Klauschie, 68, was ready last month to take her first cruise since 2019 but she also assumed her ship . Returns like these might be puzzling if you were unaware of what happened on the planet in the last . There were many other cruise stories from the past week that we covered on Cruise Hive, including a cruise guest seen on video climbing between balconies on Carnival Cruise Lines Mardi Gras, a small port town in Maine looking for cruise business, cruise arrivals in Mexico soaring to record levels, new Canada/New England voyages from Princess Cruises, and Explora Journeys unveiling its opulent Owners Residence. Royal Caribbean Group, up 110 percent in the first half of 2023 but down 22 percent since 2020. Confused about changing COVID-19 rules for cruise ships? Here's The numbers also onlyrepresent new COVID-19 cases identified by positive viral tests on cruise shipsentering or leaving fromthe U.S. Cruise Radio provides the latest cruise line news and updates from the cruise industry. Cruise line stocks have had major gains this year, but are still down since the start of 2020. Ships are being scrapped as $150 billion industry still waits to set sail again. In the stock market, cruise line shares plummeted as 2020 wore on. The collision didn't dull the excitement for some passengers like Rence Dimalanta. The launch of a luxury cruise ship was delayed by faulty . However, several companies still have stricter measures on several routes, typically dictated by local rules and regulations, while others have re-instated mask wearing rules onboard due to the increases in cases worldwide in November and December. 1:48 Nathan Diller USA TODAY Hear this story Many cruise lines dropped COVID-19 vaccine requirements and further eased testing rules in early September. It's a different ship from the Grand Princess which got stuck trying to come into port in San Francisco in early March 2020 because there were over a dozen crew members and a couple of passengers who tested positive for COVID before national lockdowns even began. The ship eventually docked safely and passengers were able to disembark. Royal Caribbean is headed back to China for the first time since the industry-wide pandemic pause. Open All Close All Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line further lift requirements, What it's like to cruise with fewer COVID rules, ended its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, dropped all pre-cruise testing requirements, Country reopens to international cruise ships for first time since the pandemic, Holland America's anniversary transatlantic crossing highlights how cruising has changed, not all passengers have felt completelysafe on cruises, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Despite removing these guidelines, the company has reassured guests that it will still have measures on board to help minimize the impact. Cruise lines change COVID-19 rules: Royal Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line further lift requirements, 'Was it worth the risk? Rebeiro also noted that if transmission among the general population is lower at the time a passenger boards a cruise, the likelihood theywill spread the virus is lower. Previously: Remember the COVID-Stricken Cruise Ship That Docked In SF Last Month? Jeff Sommer is the author of Strategies, a weekly column on markets, finance and the economy. STORY: Starlink Satellite Internet Added to Another Cruise Line. She also recommended they make a plan with their doctor in case they do get sick, and contact the cruise lineto see what options they would have. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. Cruise ship still docked in San Francisco after hitting pier Florida Today. The specifics of each company matter, of course. Exceptions currently include: *Last modified April 4, 2023. Paroc, a Finnish supplier of the panels to the shipbuilder Fincantieri, informed the Italian company that a second type of panel had also lost its certification, the sources told the FT. "We've had fuel spikes before. prowess. 0:00. Others have expressed concerns about the safety of cruising and have called on the company to continue enforcing strict safety measures. More than two years after the industry shut down, most ships are back in service, and capacity has increased, thanks to cruise lines' stringent safety protocols, many of which exceed requirements set forth by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Madison addedthat as a condition of their membership, cruise lines must keep upcertain protocols, including "maintaining elevated public health measures to mitigate the introduction or spread of COVID-19 on board ships" and sailing with high vaccination levels among passengers and crew members,among others. They survived by taking on enormous debt loads and paying sky-high junk-bond yields, which were needed to attract investors. Vaccines and precruise testing are generally not required to sail with Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Bookings for both ships will open on June. Allocate them in a proportion that makes you comfortable, and then devote yourself to more pleasant pursuits. Later, the rules started to go by the wayside, and it was hard to keep track of who was requiring what. Sign up for notifications from Insider! Jacob Passy. There was no immediate word on what caused the collision. SAN FRANCISCO -- Crews are assessing the damage to a cruise ship in San Francisco after the ship struck the dock upon arrival Thursday morning. C. A. Bridges. The ship will head south from New York on December 6, 2024,sailing a 12-Day Southern Caribbean Carnival Journeys cruise and calling at St. Thomas, St. Croix,Aruba, Curacao, andGrand Turk. Royal Caribbean Returning to China in 2024, Carnival Venezia to Homeport in Port Canaveral, Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Ships Alaska Season, Princess Cruises New Sphere-Class Ships Head to the Med, more detailed information about the types of crimes, spend the winter of 2024-25 sailing from Port Canaveral, several mega-ships that were in port on the same day, canceled almost all of the ships scheduled voyages, will be posted to the Mediterranean in 2025, cruise guest seen on video climbing between balconies, port town in Maine looking for cruise business, Discuss this topic at our Cruise Boards >, Free daily cruise updates to your inbox >, Subscribe for daily cruise news on YouTube >, It's time to check today's cruise deals right here >, Faulty Safety Materials May Put Dozens of Cruise Ships at Risk, Damaged Ruby Princess to Depart on Revised Itinerary, Cruise Line Unveils New Features for Its Largest-Ever Ship. The numbers represent a big hike over previous records. Precautions taken by the cruise lines initially included reduced capacity, vaccine requirements, mandatory mask-wearing, social distancing, virtual muster drills, enhanced cleaning protocols, contact tracing implementation, beefed-up medical facilities and the development of onboard quarantine and isolation rooms. When cruising restarted in spring 2021, after a nearly 15-month pandemic-spurred shutdown imposed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), cruisers faced a barrage of rules, including strict requirements for COVID-19 vaccinations and precruise COVID-19 testing. That number includes both passengers and crew members. Another cruise line has added SpaceXs Starlink internet to its ships. It was followed closely by Meta, the Facebook owner, which has been promoting its own A.I. MORE: More cruise ships under CDC investigation due to COVID cases Norwegian Cruise Line has not disclosed who is chartering the ship, but avid cruise watchers believe it might be Sixthman, the company that organizes cruise ship-based music festivals. Wall Street analysts, including those at JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America and Jefferies, have given them high grades and helped to drive up their share prices. But the triumphant tales of water rescues are few and far between. The line said it beta tested Starlink last year, with guests giving the internet rave reviews. The launch of a luxury cruise ship was delayed by faulty fire panels, the Financial Times reported. Discuss this topic at our Cruise Boards >, Free daily cruise updates to your inbox >, Subscribe for daily cruise news on YouTube >, It's time to check today's cruise deals right here >, Faulty Safety Materials May Put Dozens of Cruise Ships at Risk, Damaged Ruby Princess to Depart on Revised Itinerary, Cruise Line Unveils New Features for Its Largest-Ever Ship. requires everyone on board be fully vaccinated, JetBlue Says It Will Terminate Its Partnership With American Airlines, The 7 Best Travel Credit Cards to Apply for This July, Have a Trip to Paris Planned? "It's my first cruise so I'm still excited about it," he said. But the ship is labeled as orange status per the agency's cruise ship Covid-19 threshold, indicating that 0.3% or more of total passengers and or crew members tested positive, according to CDC . There were more than 3,300 guests and more than 1,100 . "We all worked very hard on sets of protocols to make sure that cruising not only was perceived but was the safest place you could possibly be. Cruisers booked on any one of a dozen 2024 Alaska sailings aboard Norwegian Cruise Lines Norwegian Spirit will have to make other arrangements after the line canceled almost all of the ships scheduled voyages to the Last Frontier State. Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel. Anna Bershteyn, an assistant professor in the Department of Population Health at New York University Grossman School of Medicine, said thatthere may be other factors the data does not reflect, "but it doesn't seem that this policy (change) had any consistent effect across cruise lines.". The Ruby Princess cruise ship appears damaged following a collision with the pier in San Francisco, July 6, 2023. Live Ships Tracker, Cruise Offers and Bookings. a young boy and his mother who both died after going overboard a large passenger ferry, a woman was successfully rescued after she fell from the 10th deck of a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, Experts told Insider it was "nothing short of miraculous", a man who fell off a cruise ship in the Gulf of Mexico was successfully rescued. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. ", "What the industry has managed to achieve reputationally is so important," said Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman of MSC Cruises, which was the first major cruise line to resume operations with Mediterranean sailings in summer 2020. Offer ends 5/3/23. Ruby Princess remains docked in San Francisco after collision with pier, Public File for KBCW-TV / KBCW 44 Cable 12. Cruise Ship coronavirus information and stats Norwegian, Cunard and more end pre-cruise COVID testing - USA TODAY For the week of Sept. 18, two weeks after dropping requirements, Norwegian reported 204 new cases, and just25 the following week. For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter. (If testing is required, it can typically be either a PCR test or tele-health-monitored antigen test, paid for by the passenger. Millions of travelers rely on Cruise Hive in the United States, Europe, Australia, and around the world. Check here before booking an award fare. "I'm sure they know what's best, I have been on many cruises and I don't see this as being a huge issue, it didn't look that bad.". In addition to reportedly delaying the Explora 1's launch, sources told the FT that Paroc had identified 45 other ships carrying the faulty panels. Cruise Hive was established back in 2008 and among the earliest blogs in the industry. By. For sailings embarking from the United States, which are the bulk of Disney Cruise Lines sailings, no vaccination or testing is required. The higher-ups have been consistent in their message that, although things are trending upward, lines are unlikely to see things exceed 2019 levels until next year. No vaccine or testing required except on certain Seabourn itineraries where a country may have specific requirements. Royal Caribbean hasnt yet disclosed the ships itineraries from Singapore, but they are expected to be similar to Spectrum of the Seas current sailings. That message from the leaders of some of the world's largest cruise lines came through loud and clear during a panel discussion Tuesday at Seatrade, the cruise industry's annual conference in Miami. Destinations with stricter requirements include: the Galpagos, Australia and New Zealand, transatlantic crossings, and select Central and South America itineraries. Just as cruise lines have begun to come into their own, a series of companies that prospered during the pandemic are laggards now. Must spend $60,000 in a year for second free-night award. Before your trip, you will need to review your cruise lines health and safety protocols. Carrying more than 2,000 passengers, luxury cruise ship Cordelia Empress pulls into Mumbai harbor in India, on January 4, 2022, after a crew member tested positive for COVID-19. Tens of thousands of passengers and staff were stranded as the outbreak hit. The ship arrived with 3,328 guests and 1,159 crew members onboard, and a whole new set of 3,000+ passengers was supposed to be embarking today at 4 p.m. for the Ruby Princess's next Alaska voyage. "We are definitely on the other side of this," said Jason Liberty, the president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. Many recent cruise linepolicy changesreflect a shifting approach to the pandemic. Additional terms and conditions may apply, see our COVID- 19 Policies and Procedures and your Cruise Ticket Contract for details. Coronavirus cases have been reported on every cruise ship sailing with passengers in U.S. waters. Hi, this may be of interest to you: Cruise News Today January 5, 2023 [VIDEO]. 1 position. The "CDC has determined that the cruise industry has access to the necessary tools to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 on board," CDC spokesperson Tom Skinner said in an emailed statement. The San Francisco Bar Pilots spokesperson said in a statement to KPIX 5: "We can confirm a pilot was involved in an incident at Pier 27 this morning. Woman Overboard From 10th Deck of Royal Caribbean Cruise Ship - Insider I think that we will continue to work together to make sure that the platform for cruise and travel will be successful and will continue on.". He went on a cruise for the first time, hugged a sloth at an animal park in Honduras, and at some point during the trip, likely contracted COVID-19. Watch Video: Travel health expert explains how to stay safe when taking a cruise, Watch Video: Cruise for a lifetime on a luxury residential ship. MSC and Fincantieri didn't immediately respond to requests for comment from Insider, made outside normal working hours. Carnivalmade similar changes on Sept. 6, scrapping itsrequirement for unvaccinated passengers to apply for a vaccine exemptionand further easing its pre-cruise testing rule for vaccinated passengerson many sailings. The ship currently is undergoing a dry dock refit and will debut in New York next month. Star Princess will offer a variety of 10-day cruises roundtrip from Rome, calling at destinations such as Florence, Barcelona, and Mykonos, while Sun Princess will sail a series of 7-day cruises from Barcelona, Rome, or Athens, calling at Istanbul, Naples, and Santorini. Fire safety fears are delaying the launch of the world's newest luxury cruise liner, report says. That's not deterring the executives' optimism, however. The behind-the-scenes tour takes guests into areas of the ship that are usually off-limits, which in the past included places such as the main galley, laundry room, engine control room, and the bridge. Compared to themore than 13.7 million passengers who boarded a cruisein the US alone that same year, the likelihood of going overboard clocks in at less than 0.000001%. Sign up for our newsletter to get the latest on the culture & business of sustainability delivered weekly to your inbox. There were no injuries and Princess Cruises said no guests or crew were in danger. If you are doing an itinerary outside of the Caribbean or Europe (where most vaccine and testing requirements have been dropped)including to select countries in Central and South America or to Australiayou still have to read your cruise lines precruise health and safety information carefully to make sure you comply with the latest requirements. Viking recommends but does not require a predeparture COVID-19 test (except if required by a destination). Royal Caribbean Group's "Cruise with Confidence" program has been in place since March 2020 and applies to flagship line Royal Caribbean International, Silversea Cruises and Celebrity Cruises . A Princess Cruises ship crashed into the dock at Pier 27 in San Francisco on Thursday morning, officials said. Insider recommends waking up with Morning Brew, a daily newsletter. The CDC is investigating a Covid-19 outbreak on board a Carnival cruise Get the latest posts delivered right to your inbox. The ship will arrive in Port Canaveral on December 18, 2024, to begin her winter series. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. For all sailings embarking in January, all guests who hold current passports from or have visited . https://cruiseradio.net/cruise-news-today-january-5-2023-video/. The . No vaccine or precruise testing is required on the majority of Royal Caribbean itineraries, with a few exceptions: Cruises from Australia, transpacific and transatlantic sailings, and cruises from Hawaii to Vancouver. Bershteyn also recommendedtravelerslook for opportunities to take extra precautions when doing so "is not going to take away" from the experience, which she noted may be different for each traveler. The Ruby Princess cruise ship docked at San Francisco Pier 27, July 6, 2023. Norovirus and more As part of its Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tracks occurrences of gastrointestinal disease on board, which cruises are. U.S. More than 300 sickened on Ruby Princess cruise ship, CDC says By Aliza Chasan March 8, 2023 / 12:32 PM / CBS News Hundreds of passengers and crew members fell ill while on board a. Peloton, Zoom and Etsy are trailing in this years stock market performance derby. A Princess Cruises ship hit a dock at Pier 27 in San Francisco Thursday morning. COVID-19. / CBS San Francisco. The cruise line said that its 4,246-guest Spectrum of the Seas, a Quantum-Ultra class ship, will begin sailing from Shanghai in April 2024 on 4- and 5-night cruises to ports such as Fukuoka,. "I guess I'm willing to accept that they wouldn't be getting all these people on a boat if they had concerns is my hope," added Will. "But because I was vaccinated and boosted, my symptoms were mild," he said, adding that he would definitely go on a cruise again. Credit: 2021 vladimirhodac/stock.adobe.com This page was last updated on June 29, 2023. During roughlythe same period, the weekly COVID-19 case rate per 100,000 people steadily declined in the U.S., from 209the week ofAug. 17to 96.5the week of Oct. 5, according to CDC data. Big tech companies were well represented at the front of the pack, led by Nvidia, which makes computer chips that power artificial intelligence programs. If you thought cruising was back, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Every U.S. cruise ship with passengers has covid cases on board - The However, after theCenters for Disease Control and Prevention ended its COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships in July and stopped updating its related webpage, COVID-19 spread amid the more relaxed approaches has been a relative mystery. For anyone who tests positive during their cruise with Fred Olsen, the company will provide a new cabin (with a balcony whenever possible) where they can rest. Her favorite cities include London; Amsterdam; Krakow, Poland; Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Dawson City, Yukon; and anywhere known for outstanding pizza and theater. If you have a weakened immune system, talk with your healthcare provider about your cruise travel plans. Now, fortunately, ships again are moveable assets, so we stopped calling on St. Petersburg so we rerouted our itineraries in Northern Europe to more of the fjords and Scandinavia. It was only in 2022 that their finances and share prices stabilized, and only this year that they have begun to report sufficient earnings and cash flow to show signs of paring down their debt and returning to steady profit-making operations. The cruise line may also require a test at the pier, paid for by the cruise line.). Travelers will need to present a health declaration form at embarkation. It's time for another busy cruise news update with coverage of Carnival's new addition, Norwegian cancellations, Miami numbers, and even a warning! There are no precruise testing or vaccination requirements on most Holland America Line itineraries. Passengers are advised to be up to date on the latest regulations for all destinations on their cruise itinerary. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. And they wont be alone: The cruise line also will send three other ships to the region in 2025, Emerald Princess,Majestic Princess, andSky Princess. CNN Cruise ships turning around mid-voyage. As capacity increases, that also means ships could begin to feel more crowded. The assets are mobile. Fuel prices go up; they come down. The overarching theme of the discussion was one of hope, resolve and tenacity. The Explora I, run by cruise giant MSC, lost a crucial safety certification over faulty fire-resistant panels, per the newspaper, which cited unnamed sources. We'll send you the latest cruise updates daily to your inbox. CDC data shows COVID-19 numbers on cruises after vaccine rules dropped We make sure cruisers are fully prepared for their cruise vacation with tips on ships and ports. Jeff Sommer writes Strategies, a column on markets, finance and the economy. People are still cruising, though, and the Ruby Princess just finished a 10-day roundtrip to Alaska that left San Francisco on June 26, coming into port this morning at 6 a.m. As NBC Bay Area reports via a Princess Cruises spokesperson, the Ruby Princess "made unexpected contact" with the dock at Pier 27 at 6:05 a.m., causing a gash in the hull of the ship both the Chronicle and NBC have photos.