Travel Weekly is tickled pink to present you with this week’s Cruise Wrap, and that’s not only because it was the last thing standing between us and lunch.

Carnival updates fleet movements following resumption of some cruises

Carnival C0rporation has resumed limited guest operations, beginning 6 September, with Costa Cruises’ successful voyage visiting five destinations in Italy.

The line has revealed plans to continue the limited resumption of its guest cruise operations with additional Costa ships over September and October, as well as with AIDA Cruises’ during fall 2020.

The initial cruises will continue to take place with adjusted passenger capacity and enhanced health protocols developed with government and health authorities, and guidance from a roster of medical and scientific experts.

Since the pause in guest operations, Carnival has accelerated the removal of ships in fiscal 2020 which were previously expected to be sold over the ensuing years.

The company now expects to dispose of 18 ships, eight of which have already left the fleet. In total, the 18 ships represent approximately 12 per cent of pre-pause capacity and only three per cent of operating income in 2019.

Additionally, only two of the four ships originally scheduled for delivery in 2020, following the start of the pause, to be delivered prior to the end of fiscal 2020.

Carnival currently expects only five of the nine ships originally scheduled for delivery in fiscal 2020 and 2021 to be delivered prior to the end of fiscal year 2021.

The line has also filed a prospectus supplement with the Securities and Exchange Commission so it can offer and sell shares of its common stock.

The company plans to use the net proceeds from sales of shares under the offering for general corporate purposes.

The timing of any sales will depend on a variety of factors. Goldman Sachs & Co., J.P. Morgan Securities, BofA Securities and 12 other financial institutions are acting as sales agents or for the offering.

Silversea releases details of Silver Origin‘s 195 piece art collection

When the all-suite, all-balcony, 100-guest Silver Origin begins year-round voyages in the Galapagos archipelago later this year, a regionally-inspired collection of 195 art pieces will enrich guests’ travels, comprising 122 framed artworks, 69 sculptures, and four installations.

The art collection will combine contemporary and historical pieces to communicate the rich history of travel in the Galapagos Archipelago, as well as the region’s scientific significance and its distinctive natural beauty. In some instances, the art pieces will provide context to the legendary second voyage of Charles Darwin aboard the HMS Beagle; in others, they will inspire deeper thoughts on the islands’ unique wildlife; while other pieces might explore the theme of botany, for example.

Oceania launches one-stop-shop for trade partners

Oceania Cruises has launched a new online tool called Oceania Trade Connect.

Delivering a one-stop-shop for trade partners, the online resource integrates the cruise line’s portfolio of trade support initiatives with all the tools, insights and information needed to learn about, promote and sell Oceania Cruises successfully – and be rewarded for it.

To find out more about Oceania Trade Connect, from Oceania Trade Rewards to the cruise line’s Online Training Platform, ongoing Webinar Series and the Oceania Trade Insider Facebook Group, partners are invited to view this short explanatory video, presented by Jason Worth.

Oceania Trade Connect can be accessed via a unique landing page, which houses all of the ecosystem resources in one convenient location, allowing travel partners to conveniently bookmark the landing page.

Seabourn and Molton Brown, London’s fragrance experts, are bringing back the popular Seabourn Signature Scents for a limited time in September.

Typically only available on board the line’s five ships, the entire collection will again be available for purchase on Molton Brown’s website and at select stores in the UK and US until the end of September.

Ponant releases 10 new webinars

Ponant has released a series of bite-size 10-minute webinars specifically designed to provide a comprehensive background on the line, including a focus on key destinations, fleet, expeditions and commitment to sustainability.

Over 1,000 travel agents and consumers from Australia and New Zealand joined Ponant on Tuesday 1 September for its first live online event to find out more about the ‘Kimberley’s Big 5’.This was the first in a series of online events aimed at providing insider information about fascinating places and experiences

Craig Farrell, national business development manager at Ponant, hosted the event, keeping things rolling along as two of the line’s top expedition and destination experts Mick Fogg and Sandrine Erwin-Rose shared perspectives on just what makes Australia’s own backyard so unique and compelling.

If you missed the live event, you can learn about the Kimberley’s ‘Big 5’ by watching the replay.

Meanwhile, while navigating towards Russia, the Line’s ship Le Boréal crossed Latitude 85° North on the night of 8 September. She became the northernmost ship in the world.

Azamara announces new explorations for 2022 and 2023 

Azamara has announced the remainder of itineraries for 2022 as well as 2023 (Q1), featuring over 80 new itineraries, and more than 170 overnights and 300 late-night stays.

As the brand furthers its commitment to more in-depth exploration by connecting guests to a country’s local life and culture, Azamara will offer more Country-Intensive Voyages between 2022 and 2023 than ever before, allowing guests to experience iconic destinations as well as hidden gems, all within a single country.

With over 275 ports of call in more than 70 countries, 26 of the ports will be offered in Greece, with two maiden ports: Syros, and Tinos. Azamara will also add on returning guest favourites including, Greece Country-Intensives, voyages to the Black Sea and Egypt-Israel intensive voyages.

Further south, Azamara will continue another guest favourite, South Africa Intensive voyages.

Viking’s additional 2022 Europe departures

In response to strong demand for 2022 sailing dates, Viking has announced the release of more than 150 new departures across its European river cruise program from March to November 2022, and all are currently on sale as part of the ‘Explore the Viking Way’ suite of offers.

The sale features generous flight credits and incredible savings of up to $5,000 per couple on Viking’s most popular and iconic river, ocean and expedition cruises.

Though only announced in July, Viking’s brand-new 2021-2022 Viking World Cruise – spanning 136 days, 27 countries and 56 ports – is proving popular for travellers, with the majority of staterooms almost completely sold out.

Setting sail on 24 December 2021 from Fort Lauderdale on board Viking’s award-winning 930-guest Viking Star, the voyage includes 11 overnight stays as well as three brand-new ports of call for the cruise line: Phillip Island in Victoria, Eden in NSW and Yangon in Myanmar.

MSC updates Magnifica‘s itinerary

MSC Cruises has announced that its second ship to return MSC Magnifica will have an even longer itinerary when she returns to sea and a new re-start date of 19 October 2020 with a series of seven cruises including an eight-night Christmas cruise departing on 18 December 2020 from Genoa, Italy.

Simultaneously, the Company also extended MSC Grandiosa’s current sailings through year-end, including the ship’s Christmas cruise to depart Genoa, Italy on 20 December 2020.

MSC Grandiosa is offering seven-night cruises with embarkation in the Italian ports of Genoa, Civitavecchia, Naples and Palermo, plus calling at Valletta, Malta.

Following the completion of her updated itinerary, MSC Magnifica – one of MSC Cruises’ most popular ships – is due to perform MSC Cruises’ trademark World Cruise in 2021, for the second consecutive year.

The MSC Cruises flagship resumed sailing in August following the approval of national and local authorities in Italy, Greece and Malta of the company’s new health and safety operating protocol which is designed to protect guests, crew and communities that the ship calls.

As a result of the ship’s schedule change, MSC Magnifica’s four proposed seven-night cruises from Bari, Italy between 26 September to 24 October have been cancelled.

Costa Cruises’ new itineraries for winter 2020-2021

After announcing restart of its cruise operations starting this month with Costa Deliziosa and Costa Diadema, the Italian company has redesigned its itineraries from October 2020 to March 2021 with the gradual return of an increasing number of ships, offering enhanced safety as a result of new health procedures.

Costa cruises in winter season 2020-2021 will be open to European citizens residing in the countries included in the decree of the Italian government, while limitation to Italians only is confirmed in September for the first three departures of Costa Deliziosa and the first departure of Costa Diadema.

Details and opening of sales of the new winter itineraries will soon be available on the company’s website and from travel agencies. Costa is working with the national governments and the local authorities to offer a safe and positive experience for all its guests through the effective implementation of the Costa Safety Protocol in all destinations.

Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au