(Covid-19) Has Resulted in Multiple Cancellations and Affected Itineraries for Ocean and River Cruise Operators
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As of: 29 February, 2020 (Subject to changes / updates) The outbreak of novel coronavirus (Covid-19) has resulted in multiple cancellations and affected itineraries for ocean and river cruise operators. Overview Many lines, including Royal Caribbean, Holland America, Cunard, Seabourn and MSC Cruises, have cancelled port calls in mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. Two cruise ships, Diamond Princess1 and World Dream2, have spent days in quarantine off the coasts of Japan and Hong Kong. Cruise lines have released new guidelines on boarding restrictions and screening requirements, and some have also banned anyone who holds a passport from China, Hong Kong or Macau, as well as passengers who have visited mainland China, including Hong Kong and Macau, within 30 days prior. Viking has also cancelled its China river cruises through to June 2020 and Norwegian Cruise Line has cancelled Norwegian Spirit's visits to Asian ports until December 2020. More cancellations are outlined below. 1. https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/22377-diamond-princess-held-in- quarantine-in-japan.html 2. https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/22386-world-dream-turned-away-from- taiwan-due-to-coronavirus-concern.html Document prepared by A.L. Skinner Consulting Inc https://gusskinnerconsulting.com subject to changes / amendments pg. 1 AIDA Itinerary Changes AIDA has canceled its entire Asia cruise season for ships AIDAbella and AIDAvita. Ref: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5016/ Update: 02 Feb, 2020 St. Lucia Turns Away AIDA Ship Due to Health Concerns The coronavirus outbreak scare may be extending to the Caribbean as St. Lucia turned away the AIDAperla on 01 Feb 2020 due to health concerns. Read more… https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/22371-st-lucia-turns-away-aida-ship-due-to-health- concerns.html Update: 02 Feb, 2020: AIDAperla, Refused entry (health fears) Maritime Bulletin reports the ship with more than 3000 passengers on board was prohibited from entry Castries, St. Lucia, Caribbean, on Feb 1, on arrival from St Vincent and the Grenadines, as per cruise itinerary. The ship reported several persons on board having respiratory problems, and the Department of Health found number of sick people to be unusually high, to grant free practice. There’s no mentioning of coronavirus and understood, there’s no suspicion of coronavirus infection, or any data to validate virus fears, but still… The ship approached Castries at around 0530 LT Feb 1(UTC -4), reduced speed, sailed in northern direction, turned back and approached Castries again at around 1400 LT, and again, moved away, drifting or moving at slow speed. As of 0300 UTC Feb 2 (Feb 1 2300 LT), the ship was moving north at slow speed, probably waiting out, to fit into the broken itinerary. Next port of call is Roseau, Dominica, ETA Feb 2. Read more… https://www.maritimebulletin.net/2020/02/02/aida-cruise-ship-with-3000-passengers-rejected-port- call-drifting-caribbean/ Update: 04 Feb 2020: AIDAperla, Refused entry (health fears) Jamaica Gleaner reports the Government of Antigua and Barbuda refused the ship entry for its port call February 4th. The decision was based on health concerns. Read more…. http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/caribbean/20200204/antigua-bars-cruise-ship-docking Aurora Expeditions Travel Restrictions Aurora Expeditions does not have any cruises in Asia but its ship Greg Mortimer is operating its maiden season in Antarctica, so the company has adopted guidelines set out by CLIA and IAATO (International Association of Antarctic Tour Operators), denying boarding to anyone who has traveled from, visited or transited via airports in China, Hong Kong, Macau, Japan and South Korea within 14 days of embarkation. Document prepared by A.L. Skinner Consulting Inc https://gusskinnerconsulting.com subject to changes / amendments pg. 2 Aurora has also updated its health policy for all departures from February 12. This includes pre-boarding health evaluations of every passenger and crew member, with anyone registering a body temperature above normal not be permitted to board. Read more…. Ref: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5016/ Azamara Travel Restrictions As of February 24 and until further notice, Azamara will adopt these protocols: 1. Regardless of nationality, boarding will be denied to any passenger who has traveled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea, and the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto in the past 15 days; as well as any guest who has come in contact (within six feet) with anyone with 15-day prior travel to these regions. 2. Passengers who report feeling unwell or demonstrate any flu-like symptoms. 3. There will be mandatory specialized health screenings performed on any passenger who has traveled from, to or through Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Italy (all regions other than Lombardy and Veneto) in the past 15 days, and those who are uncertain about contact with individuals who have traveled from, to or through these regions in the past 15 days. 4. Passengers presenting with fever or low blood oximetry in the specialized health screenings will be denied boarding. Ref: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5016/ Carnival Cruise Line Travel Restrictions Effective from February 7, Carnival Cruise Line is following all CLIA regulations, and all booked guests who have traveled to, from or through China, Hong Kong or Macau in the 14 days before their departures will not be allowed to sail. If you have recently visited China, Hong Kong or Macau and are potentially affected by a travel restriction, contact Carnival. Ref: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5016/ Itinerary Changes All South Pacific cruises on Carnival Splendor and Carnival Spirit that were scheduled to visit New Caledonia's Lifou, Mare or Isle of Pines have been diverted to other ports in Vanuatu. Carnival Spirit, which departed Melbourne on February 10, called on Santo, Mystery Island and Port Vila instead of the three closed ports. Carnival Splendor, which departed Sydney on February 10, replaced Mare and Isle of Pines. Update: 27 Feb 2020 https://www.cruisehive.com/carnival-crew-member-tested-for-coronavirus-ship-denied-at-caribbean- port/38025 Document prepared by A.L. Skinner Consulting Inc https://gusskinnerconsulting.com subject to changes / amendments pg. 3 The Carnival Fascination cruise ship which is operated by Carnival Cruise Line has not been allowed to make its scheduled port of call in St. Lucia (February 27) due to flu-like symptoms onboard. Celebrity Cruises Travel Restrictions Until further notice, all ships in the Celebrity Cruises fleet will adopt these protocols: 1. Regardless of nationality, boarding will be denied to any passenger who has traveled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Iran, South Korea, and the Italian regions of Lombardy and Veneto in the past 15 days; as well as any guest who has come in contact (within six feet) with anyone with 15-day prior travel to these regions. 2. Passengers who report feeling unwell or demonstrate any flu-like symptoms. 3. There will be mandatory specialized health screenings performed on any passenger who has traveled from, to or through Japan, Singapore, Thailand, and Italy (all regions other than Lombardy and Veneto) in the past 15 days, and those who are uncertain about contact with individuals who have traveled from, to or through these regions in the past 15 days. 4. Passengers presenting with fever or low blood oximetry in the specialized health screenings will be denied boarding. Ref: https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/5016/ https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/22451-norwegian-and-celebrity-cancel-asia- sailings.html Itinerary Changes Celebrity Cruises has canceled the rest of Celebrity Millennium's 2020 season in Asia. This includes cruises departing February 15 and 29, March 14 and 28, April 10 and 21 and May 10. The ship will reposition to the U.S. West Coast earlier than originally planned and offer a series of three, four and five-night Pacific Coastal sailings. March through mid-April, the ship will be hosting a number of "Cruising for Heroes" sailings in support of California's firefighters, first responders and veterans. Later in April, the ship will sail roundtrip from Seattle prior to the start of its 2020 Alaska season from Vancouver. In addition, the line has changed its series of Dubai-to-Singapore and back sailings on Celebrity Constellation that were scheduled for February and March. The February 16 trip will also embark in Dubai, instead of Singapore, and travel roundtrip. The new itinerary will skip Phuket, Thailand, and extend port times in three India ports -- Cochin, Goa and Mumbai. Celebrity Constellation's March 2 cruise will also become roundtrip from Dubai and skip Phuket, replacing it with a day at sea. This means Celebrity Constellation's March 17 departure will now embark in Dubai Document prepared by A.L. Skinner Consulting Inc https://gusskinnerconsulting.com subject to changes / amendments pg. 4 instead of Singapore, and Phuket will also be replaced with a sea day, plus port times extended in Cochin, Goa and Mumbai. Passengers on these two March cruises will receive an onboard credit equal to the rate of one cruise day. Celestyal Cruises Travel Restrictions Celestyal Cruises has suspended crew movements from mainland China, including Hong Kong and Macau and will deny boarding to any individual, whether guest or crew, who has travelled from or through mainland China, including Hong Kong and Macau within 30 days from their embarkation, until further notice. In addition, specific to the "Three Continents" itinerary only passengers who have visited China including Macau, and Hong Kong as well as Japan, Singapore and Thailand within 30 days from their embarkation will not be allowed to embark the Three Continents cruise in accordance with the requirements of Israeli public health authorities.