International Cruise News For The Time Period of October 19 to October 26,2020.

Below are the mini-cruise news stories on ships sailing from Ports beyond New York. Stories below include new ship construction progress, ship sales, Itinerary changes, coronavirus updates, port of call news and more.

Holland America To Have 6 Ships in Alaska in 2021.

October 20, 2020 - The significantly downsized Holland America Line has decided to place 6 ships in Alaska in the summer of 2020.

The 6 ships are the Volendam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Koningsdam which represents a 54.5% of Holland America’s fleet.

The ships are expected to sail round trip from Vancouver, Seattle, or open jaw cruises between Vancouver and Whitter (Anchorage) Alaska.

MSC Cruises Second Ship Returns To Service

October 20, 2020 – MCS Cruises MSC Magnifica is the second MSC ship to return to service joining the MSC Grandiosa. The MSC Magnifica departed on a 10-day round voyage of “relaxation and discovery in the West and East Mediterranean Sea” calling at the ports of Livorno, Messina in Sicily, Piraeus, Katakolon, Valletta, Malta and Civitavecchia.

Swan Hellenic Orders Third Luxury, Exploration Ship

October 21, 2020 - The rebirth of Swan Hellenic Line seems to be progressing nicely as the company has just ordered a third new luxury expedition cruise ship from Helsinki Shipyard. The yet to be named ship will be able to accommodate 192 guests in 96 suites. Based on this information the newly ordered vessel will be larger than her sister which have a capacity of 152 quests. The third ship in the series is expected to be delivered in late 2022 and while her sisters – the SH Minerva is expected in 2021, followed by an un-named sister in early/mid 2022.

Japan’s Venus Cruise Line Slated For December Restart.

October 21, 2020 - Japan’s Venus Cruise Line has stated that they anticipate a return to service in December, 2020. The single ship cruise line’s, 1998 built, Pacific Venus will sail short (1-3) night cruises and visit the ports of Kobe, Osaka, Nagoya, Yokohama and Tokyo. All port are located within Japan. The cruise line is expected to operate at reduced capacity as well as institute further COVID preventative methods.

Regent Seven Seas Announces 2022 -> 2023 Cruises

October 21, 2020 - Regent Seven Seas Cruises has revealed their 2022-2023 Voyage Collection, featuring 148 sailings from April 2022 to April 2023. The cruise program includes calls at exotic cruise destinations such as Africa, Arabia and the Middle East, Alaska, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, New England / Canada, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and South America. These cruises are in addition to a number of transoceanic crossings and five Grand Voyages. Cruises range from 7 nights to the World Cruise which is 143 nights. Adding to their ever increasing footprint, the itineraries include 17 maiden ports of call as well as 105 overnight stays to allow passengers to further immerse themselves in the destination.

Royal Caribbean Announces Winter 2021-22 Ship / Itinerary Adjustments

October 21, 2020 – Royal Caribbean has announced the following changes to their 2021-22 Winter Cruise Program.

From Australia and New Zealand: Ovation of the Seas will remain in Sydney with all-new itineraries. The ship will traverse the Tasman Sea, sailing 9- to 12-night itineraries to New Zealand; 5- and 7-night itineraries to Queensland, Australia; and 6- and 8-night itineraries to Tasmania, Australia; Quantum of the Seas is now slated to sail from Brisbane, Australia, offering a variety of cruises that range from 3-night weekday getaways to 7- to 9-night adventures throughout the South Pacific; Serenade of the Seas will make the voyage from Vancouver, British Columbia to Sydney, which will be her home-port through February 2022. Guests can choose to embark on 12- to 15-night cruises around the South Pacific to Fiji and New Zealand, or take a short break in Melbourne and around the east coast of Australia.

To The Bahamas and Caribbean: Allure of the Seas, previously set to make her Galveston, Texas debut, will now sail from Fort Lauderdale to offer 6-night Western and 8-night Eastern Caribbean cruises; Explorer of the Seas, originally scheduled to sail from Miami, will call San Juan, Puerto Rico home for the season and sail 7-night Southern Caribbean itineraries. Freedom of the Seas will move from San Juan to the world’s cruise capital of Miami with more 3- and 4-night short Caribbean escapes to The Bahamas and the cruise line’s private island destination, Perfect Day at CocoCay. Radiance of the Seas, originally planned to sail from Brisbane, Australia, will now embark on 5- and 9-night sailings from Miami.

Unchanged Vacation as Planned: Royal Caribbean’s other winter 2021-22 cruises will sail on as planned in the Caribbean, Australia and Asia-Pacific. Visiting more than 200 destinations in over 50 countries with 27 ships in 2021-22, the cruise line’s winter highlights bring variety, convenience and adventure to next year’s highly anticipated vacations; Winter 2021-22 calls for a family reunion in Florida, bringing together all four Oasis Class ships – Oasis, Symphony, Harmony and Allure of the Seas – for 7-night adventures to the Caribbean, The Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Royal Amplified ships Mariner, Independence and Navigator of the Seas offer short getaways to the same crystal blue waters and white-sand beaches. Caribbean vacations will also be within driving distance from the Northeast and the Lonestar state with Anthem of the Seas sailing from Bayonne, New Jersey, and Adventure and Liberty of the Seas sailing from Galveston.

Princess Cruises Advances Transition of Golden Princess and Star Princess to Sister Company P&O Cruises Australia

October 22, 2020 - Princess Cruises has confirmed the official transfer of Golden Princess and the accelerated transition of Star Princess to P&O Cruises Australia. Previously announced in 2018, the two vessels will now debut as Pacific Adventure (Golden Princess) and Pacific Encounter (Star Princess) are anticipated to sail in 2021. Golden Princess first joined the Princess fleet in May 2001 with her sister ship Star Princess setting sail the following year in January 2002. Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. "We know their wonderful legacy will continue under sister brand P&O Cruises Australia, which has become so well-known for delivering unforgettable cruise holidays for Aussies and Kiwis to some of the most idyllic destinations in the South Pacific."

4 Fred Olsen Ships Expected to Rendezvous in Lisbon

October 22, 2020 - Fred Olsen Line has announced that their fleet is still expected to rendezvous in Lisbon on October 22, 2021. The line up was expected to originally include the Balmoral, Braemar, Black Watch and Boudicca. Due to the recent sale of the Boudicca and Black Watch to be used in Turkey as accommodation ships. It was unclear if the event was still planned with the newly purchased ships, the Bolette and Borealis. Fred Olsen Line announced today that the event, branded as the Four Ladies in Lisbon, is still on and that the Bolette, the Borealis, the Balmoral, and the Braemar will unite for a historic day of celebration, fun, and excitement” in the Portuguese capital.

Outfitting Starts at Ulstein Verft For Next Lindblad Expeditions Cruise Vessel

On 22 October 2020, the hull of the ‘National Geographic Resolution’, a polar expedition cruise vessel for Lindblad Expeditions, arrived at the Ulstein Verft shipyard in Norway. Comprehensive outfitting work will now commence. For the time being, expedition cruising is on hold, due to the worldwide Covid-19 situation. The ‘National Geographic Resolution’ is still planned for delivery in 2021. The hull will be transferred to the yard’s dock hall, where insulation work, electrical installations and hotel outfitting will commence. All major equipment including engines and thrusters were installed in Poland.

Quayside at Ulstein Verft is currently also her sister vessel, the ‘National Geographic Endurance’, which was delivered in March this year and will make her inaugural voyage when Lindblad reactivates travel.

   

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