Cruise Industry News February 2021; Coronavirus still hurts but positive signs for the industry emerge as future demand seems high. Today we look at some of the key stories from a sector we are proud to specialise in.
The pandemic continues to impede upon cruising in 2021. This article from Cruise Critic outlines the most recent policy changes and cancellations. At the time of writing, cruise line operations are temporarily suspended around the world, with the US advising against travelling abroad. The UK is advising against ocean cruising, whilst the borders of Australia and New Zealand have been shut.
Many cruise lines are now allowing passengers to cancel up to 24 hours before travel, and the article includes a list of cruise companies with details on restrictions and itinerary changes.
All of this paints a very bleak picture for the upcoming months, although the fact that this has been the case for almost a year now surely means the time can be used wisely.
Speaking of using time wisely, our experts spent much of 2020 refining and developing new IT solutions for cruise. You can view some of those on our new ICE Innovation page. Whilst the website is still under construction, you can access some interesting documents on products designed to augment the safe return to cruising and to solve longer-standing issues.
This story from our friends at Cruise Industry News, on the other hand, is sure to serve as a welcome boost.
A statement from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) has revealed that the Oceania Cruises’ 2023 world cruise sold out in a single day.
The fully-booked voyage will see more than 33% of its guests experiencing their first Oceania cruise. One-fifth of the total guests will be staying for up to 218 days, leaving from San Francisco in January 2023.
This week, Seatrade Cruise News offered a similarly upbeat piece. In it, they focus upon a resolution for PortMiami’s terminal deal with MSC Cruises increasing to $400m. This sum will include $136m from Miami-Dade County going into the shared facility over a total period of 10 years.
MSC are set to build a shared terminal with two berths for its ships and a third berth for another cruise line – potentially Disney Cruise Line. The approved resolution will now go to a full County Commission vote but certainly illustrates the tremendous value still recognised in the cruise industry.
Cruise industry news February 2021, aka, ‘The good, the not-so-good, and theICEway’. We’re working hard with our many cruise partners to tackle the issues that they face. We have always looked to adopt innovation in this endeavour and continue to do so now. The pandemic has been a game-changer, and we have changed some aspects of our own game accordingly. Our newest solutions are designed to not only negate historical problems but to also ‘fight back’ against Covid-19.