Carnival Cruise Line announced that two Fantasy-class ships, Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Sensation, will leave its fleet. It's also pulling Carnival Splendor and Carnival Spirit from the South Pacific as it adjusts for what it called “the continued uncertainty of cruising in Australia.” The changes have canceled some voyages in Jacksonville, FL and many more in Mobile, AL, and Australia.
In addition, Disney Cruise Line announced that the delivery of its newest ship, Disney Wish, will be delayed, citing issues at Meyer Werft in Germany, which has been hit hard by Germany's Omicron variant surge. Disney Wish's voyages through mid-July have been canceled.
In the latest chapter of the Crystal Cruises drama, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity have been “arrested” in the Bahamas, as reported by Cruise Maritime Executive, which has a recording of the Crystal Symphony's announcement to crew members aboard. All passengers are off the ships. It’s the latest in legal gyrations for Crystal, following a petroleum firm's claim about millions of dollars in unpaid fuel bills.
Late in the week, Crystal Endeavor, the line’s new expedition ship, completed its voyage in Ushuaia, Argentina and all passengers disembarked. The ship has sailed from the port, Crystal confirmed to Travel Agent on Sunday, but did not say where the vessel is headed.
The Yacht Portfolio, a maritime investment company, has entered into a letter of intent to acquire Sea Cloud Cruises of Hamburg, Germany. Sea Cloud operates a fleet of masted, full-rigged luxury tall ships.
Cruise Product Developments
Guests traveling on Princess Cruises' MedallionClass ships now have an expanded MedallionPay option. Those going ashore in select destinations can use their Princess Medallion wearable device to shop, play, eat and drink. Currently, MedallionPay is accepted by some merchants in St. Thomas, U.S.V.I, as well as Cabo San Lucas, Cozumel and Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Look for Alaska options soon.
Other positive cruise industry product developments included:
- Celestyal Cruises is launching a new Seaware Reservations Platform
- Cunard Line's popular "Literature Festival at Sea" will return aboard Queen Mary 2 on December 3, 2022
- Qatar Tourism and Emerald Cruises are partnering on land add-ons and promotion for the line's new superyacht, the 100-passenger Emerald Azzurra
- Uniworld has added a new course to its travel advisor training program
More Tidbits
Providing insight on a new luxury-category product to our sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor, Chris Austin, chief sales officer of Explora Journeys, talked about trade policies to foster advisor logevity in sister publication, Luxury Travel Advisor.
On the personnel front, Riviera River Cruises expanded its North American reservations team with the addition of two new reservation specialists. In addition, Seabourn named Wendy Whitener as director, North America sales.
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