After several weeks of uncertainty, Crystal Cruises shut down its U.S. office in Miami and employees received termination notices last week. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity are now in the hands of parent Genting Hong Kong's secured creditors.
Also, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unveiled rules for its new voluntary compliance program for cruise lines sailing from US ports; hwever, Cruise Lines International Association was not happy with the specifics of the new voluntary compliance program, saying that the industry is being held to a higher standard than other segments of society and that some of the specific rules are unworkable and confusing.
Showing the continuing importance of health/safety elements to the industry's recovery, Royal Caribbean Group announced the appointment of Michael Leavitt to its board of director. He's the former U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services and co-chaired the "Healthy Sail Panel" to develop recommendations adopted by the cruise industry in response to COVID-19.
In a business outlook report, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings issued tidbits about bookings and fleet deployment. Seventy percent of its ships are back in the water and 85 percent of its berth capacity will be operating by the end of first quarter 2022. While Omicron had impacted bookings over the past few months, the situation appears to be turning for the better.
On the product side, Holland America Line introduced its 2023 schedule of voyages in Alaska, while Princess Cruises is repositioning Sapphire Princess to the Port of Los Angeles, starting June 25, 2022. The ship will sail to Mexico, Hawaii and the California Coast. Cruises start June 25, 2022.
Silversea Cruises, as reported by our sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor, announced a 71-day "Grand South America Voyage" for 2024. Also from Luxury Travel Advisor, Cunard Line said it will name its new ship, Queen Anne.
More countries in the world are beginning to reopen to visitors. After a two-year ban, the Philippines opened once again to international travelers. In addition, Australia also announced plans to reopen to international visitors on February 21, 2022.
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