If this week’s Cruise Wrap is anything to go by, the sector is pushing for its return in a big way, rewarding agents in the process.

New PONANT training module now available on CLIA learning academy for members AND non-members

Evergreen Cruises and Tours launches red-hot offers on 2021 Europe River Cruises

With encouraging signs that Australian travellers are starting to plan their 2021 holidays, Evergreen Cruises and Tours has launched a new campaign offering savings of up to $5,500 per couple on three of its most popular river cruises.

Simply quote ‘EVC20’ and book by 1 June 1 2020 with a $250 per person deposit to enjoy red-hot offers on all 2021 departures of the following cruises:

• Save up to $5,500 per couple on the 24-day ‘Eastern Europe Escapade & Splendours of Europe Cruise’. Cruise from just $8,595 per person.
• Save up to $5,000 per couple on the 15-day ‘Splendours of Europe River Cruise’. Cruise from just $4,085 per person.
• Save up to $3,200 per couple on the eight-day ‘Sensations of Lyon & Provence Cruise’. Cruise from just $2,945 per person.

Seychelles bans cruise ships for two years 

The tourism department of Seychelles has placed a two-year ban on all cruise ship calls at Port Victoria, Seychelles Nation has reported.

The ban, which aims to prevent the spread of COVID-19, will be effective immediately and will go until the end of 2021.

RCL extends global suspension of cruising

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is extending the suspension of global operations for all sailings departing on-or-before 31 July 2020.

Celebrity Cruises, Royal Caribbean and Azamara are offering several compensation options, depending on date of sailing, including the option to ‘life and shift’ existing bookings to the following sailing year, 125 per cent Future Cruise Credit (FCC) or 100 per cent refund.

Further information can be found via the RCL travel agent portal, HomePort.

Norwegian extends suspension 

Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ suspension now covers all voyages with embarkation dates from July 1 to July 31, 2020.

Guests who are currently booked on voyages with embarkation dates from 1 July to 31 July 2020 on Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises or Regent Seven Seas Cruises are asked to contact their travel agent or the cruise line for more information.

SAvings to be made on Adventure Canada’s new 2021 expedition cruises

In line with a worldwide spike in pent-up bookings for travel in 2021, space is filling fast for Adventure Canada’s new 2021 expedition cruises to the Canadian Arctic, Greenland and Newfoundland. The adventure voyages showcase the region’s icebergs, dramatic fjords, stunning glaciers, polar bears, seabirds and whales. On some cruises, the single supplement has been waived in selected cabin categories, saving solo travellers thousands of dollars.

Due to the cancellation of the 2020 season (due to COVID-19 restrictions), these new 2021 departures are being met with much excitement by expedition cruise lovers around the world. A 15 per cent saving is available for bookings made by 31 October 31 2020.

New bookings made until 30 June 2020 can be made with a special, half-priced deposit of US$500 per person (was US$1,000 per person). Until 30 June 2020, a flexible transfer policy also allows travellers to transfer their booking up to 121 days prior to departure to another Adventure Canada departure, or select a future travel credit, with an alternative departure available within 30 months of the original expedition date.

A-ROSA outlines health and hygiene concept on board ahead of restart

A-ROSA River Cruises has outlined its onboard health and hygiene concept ahead of its planned restart in June 2020.

The health and hygiene concept is based on recommendations from the Robert Koch Institute, Germany’s disease control and prevention agency and the World Health Organisation. It considers the pandemic regulations of the individual countries that a ship passes through.

A care team, led by the ship’s management will be responsible for implementation on board.

Measures being put in place include: social distancing protocols for the entire ship, enhanced cleaning procedures; the wearing of mouth and nose coverings in public spaces; pre-screening and temperature checks prior to embarkation; meals to be served at tables, at set times and reduced excursion participant numbers.

In addition, all A-ROSA ships are already equipped with a state-of-the-art air conditioning system that pumps fresh filtered outside air into cabins and public places, ensuring that every section and cabin has its own separate air supply.

Return with Regent booking promotion launched with extended ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ policy

Regent Seven Seas Cruises has launched Return with Regent, a brand-new offer to inspire guests to travel the world once more with confidence.

Along with 10 per cent reduced deposits, for extra flexibility, plus a generous US$1,000 Shipboard Credit per suite, the offer includes the security of Regent Reassurance which allows guests to cancel their cruise for any reason up to 15 days before departure date and receive a 100 per cent Future Cruise Credit. 

To further demonstrate its unwavering commitment to travel partners during these unprecedented times, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced two new incentives across Australia and New Zealand. Travel agents who make a booking before 31 July 2020 will directly receive a $500 Visa Gift Card. Meanwhile, those who book any three suites between 18 May and 31 July 2020, will have the opportunity to sail free with Regent, in a Sell and Sail incentive.

Valid for new bookings made by 31 July 2020, Return with Regent is applicable to all sailings through 2022, expanding the line’s ‘Cancel for Any Reason’ policy to cover all possible destinations and voyages.

As well as booking with confidence, Return with Regent encourages guests to explore their wanderlust on a choice of hundreds of sailings around the globe, using the US$1,000 Shipboard Credit per suite to enhance destination exploration through Regent Choice shore excursions or indulge themselves through the Serene Spa & Wellness.

Viking launches 2022-23 Mississippi river cruise brochure 

Viking has launched its 2022-23 Mississippi River e-brochure, showcasing the line’s inaugural journeys in 2022 and 2023 through the heart of America.

The digital brochure features imagery and information on Viking’s purpose-built ship, Viking Mississippi as well as the four different itineraries on offer; three 8-day voyages and one 15-day sailing between St Paul and New Orleans, covering the entire length of the Mississippi River.

The five-deck Viking Mississippi will feature cutting-edge design and Scandinavian-inspired spaces that Viking guests will know and love, such as the Explorers’ Lounge, the Living Room and an infinity plunge pool at the aft of the ship. Viking Mississippi will host 386 guests in 193 all-outside staterooms, with seven spacious stateroom categories to choose from.

Dining options will include The Restaurant, known for its ever-changing destination-inspired menu, as well as the River Café, a casual al fresco setting serving Mamsen’s Norwegian specialties.

Windstar to resume cruising in September 

The 148-guest Wind Spirit will be Windstar Cruises first yacht to resume sailing after suspending operations further due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. Wind Spirit will resume sailing in Tahiti with its first cruise departing on 3 September 2020.

Windstar’s Star class all-suite yachts are undergoing a major renovation adding additional suites, new restaurants, an expanded pool deck and other amenities. Due to the pandemic, the shipyard in Italy closed for several weeks and is now on a reduced workforce schedule to provide a safe working environment for their employees.

As a result, completion of the Star class ships will be delayed. 312-guest Star Breeze: Due to the delay, sailings in Asia, New Zealand and Australia are cancelled. Star Breeze will begin sailing 27 October 2020 in the Mediterranean before moving

Windstar’s reservations team is reviewing all affected bookings and will send a letter outlining details to guests with cancelled cruises and also to those with only a change in which Star class ship they’ll be aboard.