Welcome to the Cruise Radio News Brief for the Week of February 7, 2021, where we bring you the latest cruise news, our weekly podcast, and recent YouTube videos.
1. Royal Caribbean Group is the next company to require a COVID-19 vaccine for all crew members, which includes all who work onboard for the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands. In an email to all crew members, the company called it “a key component of our healthy return to service.” Just two weeks ago, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings announced the same news.
2. The port of Cozumel is inviting cruise lines to use the Mexican island as a home port. Unable to continue to wait for cruising to resume from the US, port authorities are anxious to reignite the local tourism. Since cruising is not looking to resume too soon in the US, Cozumel is hoping that, despite the logistics of people getting to Cozumel, that it be considered as an embarkation port.
3. Oceania Cruises, owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, sold out its 180-night cruise in one day. Not sailing until 2023, the cruise will call on 96 ports in 33 different countries, including three days of cruising Antarctica. However, perhaps the most surprising part is that more than one-third of all bookings for the cruise were from first-time, new to Oceania travelers.
4. Norwegian Cruise Line announced the extension of its Peace of Mind policy. This means that new and existing bookings made by March 31 for any cruise embarking through and including October 31 can be canceled up to 15 days in advance of embarkation for future cruise credit. It also extended its final payment policy and future cruise credit offerings.
5. MSC Cruises revealed details about a new Starship Club debuting on MSC Virtuosa. Inspired by MSC’s vision of a spaceship of the future, the venue will have a futuristic atmosphere with 3D holograms, a digital art wall, and a 12-seat infinity digital interactive table that allows guests to explore space through their own galactic tour.
Featured Article: Alaska Cruise Weather in May, June and July: What to Expect in the Early Season
Unfortunately, Canada’s ban on cruise sailings through February 2022 means this year’s Alaska cruising season is canceled. However, many of us still have an Alaskan cruise on our bucket list. But before you start planning that dream cruise, check out what to expect from the weather early in the cruise season.
This Week’s Podcast: Norwegian Epic in the Mediterranean Cruise Review
On this week’s episode, guest Francine reviews her seven-night Mediterranean cruise on the Norwegian Epic. The cruise departed from Rome, Italy, and stopped in Livorno, Italy; Cannes, France; Mallorca, Spain; Barcelona, Spain; and Naples, Italy.
Featured Video: Symphony of the Seas Ship Tour
Take a look at a complete bow-to-stern tour of Symphony of the Seas, the largest cruise ship in the world and one of Royal Caribbean’s newest ships in the fleet.
