Icon of the Seas starts sea trials
Meyer Turku has announced that the world’s largest cruise ship by gross tonnage, the Icon of the Seas, is set to commence its maiden sea trials.
The trials, lasting a week, will evaluate a range of untestable features while the vessel is docked, including speed, maneuverability, safety, propulsion, and navigation systems, alongside testing noise and vibration levels.
Post trials, the Icon of the Seas will return to Meyer Turku for further outfitting and adjustments based on the outcomes of the sea trials.
The Liquefied Natural Gas ship will enter service in January from Port Everglades.
Viking Cruises lifts vaccine mandate
In an announcement by Chairman Tor Hagen, Viking Cruises said it would drop the requirement for guests to be fully vaccinated from November 1, 2023, onward.
For cruises departing on or before October 31, 2023, the present mandate of full vaccination will still apply.
Hagen, acknowledging the gradual shift back to normalcy, cited many countries’ easing of vaccine requirements, allowing freedom to travel across all continents.
Viking resumed operations in May 2021. The company has a fleet of both river and ocean cruise ships.
Follow the rules or get fined
A reminder to watch what you can take off the ship.
A cruiser sailing from New Zealand to Australia on a cruise ship was slapped with a fine of $3,300 for violating the latter’s stringent biosecurity laws.
The traveler was caught at the Brisbane International Cruise Terminal possessing numerous prohibited items, including two live plants, a coconut shell, seed pods, betel nut, mustard sticks, shells, coral, and dried plant materials.
Australian officials have highlighted the importance of respecting these regulations due to the country’s unique biodiversity, which is free from many worldwide diseases and pests.
The recently increased penalties, in effect since January 1, led to the tourist incurring a more substantial fine.