Cruise ships are in the revival mode

In early 2020s, cruise ships were in the news for all the wrong reasons. Some people even went to the extent of predicting the industry would never recover. There were news related to outbreaks, port refusals, travelers stuck onboard. Fans of cruises say all that is ancient history. As a Singaporean said - “Given a choice, we would be living on the cruise ship for the remainder of our lives.” He goes on to add that those are issues of 2020 and “not of any concern” today because people are vaccinated and they observe personal health protocols.” He and his wife loves cruises and have already planned three cruises through 2023. They love to wake up in a different country the next day. A recent report mentioned about COVID-19 outbreak in a cruise ship circumnavigating Australia. According to a survey published by Cruiseline.com and the booking app Shipmate, 91 percent of respondents planned to take a cruise by 2023. Afraid to cruise? Not at all, say fans who are causing ‘an explosion of bookings’.

Arrivia is a travel loyalty provider. It operates programs for American Express, Bank of America and USAA and 75 percent of members indicated plans to cruise in the next two years. Moreover, regular leisure travelers are also open to cruising again. The fear of the pandemic gradually reduced. An example is an Indian national who said he had “no qualms” about cruising this month with his family – it was his first cruise ever. He said he felt safe and that his family wore masks in crowded areas and might cruise again next year. A market research provider says the global cruising industry will not return to pre-pandemic levels until 2027. In Asia, the problem is due “mainly to the slow recovery in China … due to the strict zero-tolerance COVID-19 policies.”

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New luxury cruise liner Seabourn Encore is labeled as 'sexiest ship at sea'

A new luxury cruise liner Seabourn Encore has come on the travel scene. It has been labeled as the "sexiest ship at sea" and is now on its its first voyage to New Zealand. A two-week stay on the cruise liner costs up to $40,000 aboard the 604 person-capacity vessel.
The typical age of passenger is 66 years or older - and they belong to the affluent category. They are pampered like never before.
Seabourn Encore, the ship, boasts of restaurants from Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller (whose New York restaurant costs $325 a head). Then there is a wellness program designed by a celebrity doctor apart from star guest speakers (Julia Gillard will be on board during the Australian leg later this year), bars, pools, a casino and 12 viewing decks.
This has been reported in nzherald.,co.nz dated 4 February 2017.

The normal prices is between $15,799 and $40,299 for the all-inclusive 16-day New Zealand and Australia tour. Guests on board the luxury cruise liner get to taste preparations by a chef who holds seven Michelin stars over three restaurants.
Other services include sunglasses-cleaning by pool staff, white-glove service at afternoon tea etcetera.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Thaw in relationship between USA and Cuba - cruise ship leaves Miami for Havana

A thaw in relationship between the USA and Cuba is evident by the setting off of a cruise ship from Miami to Havana. It was the first time in decades after 1978 that passengers have set sail for the communist island nation of Cuba. The ship is the Carnival Corp's 704-passenger Adonia and, during the seven-day outing, the ship will also visit the ports of Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba.
This has been reported in news.sky.com dated 2 May 2016.

Re-starting of these cruises was an important part of US President Obama's bid to increase tourism following the 17 December 2014 decision to restore diplomatic relations between the two countries. Incidentally, it was in 1978 that the last cruise to Cuba had left from a different US port.
Among those on board was 73-year-old Rick Schneider who had waited for many years to make the trip - he had even bought a Cuban flag for the occasion.
Carnival has indicated that the Adonia will sail every second week between Miami and Cuba with bookings starting at $1,800 (£1,230) per person - the cruises will feature cultural and education activities such as Spanish lessons.


Image courtesy wikimediacommons.org

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Costa Concordia, which capsized in 2012, had a shipment of Mafia drugs

#costaconcordia #Ndrangheta #mafia #cruiseship #cocaine The cruise ship Costa Concordia that capsized in January 2012 and killed 32 of its passengers, was believed to be carrying a huge shipment of Mafia-owned cocaine when it set off on its final voyage.
This has been revealed in nzherald.co.nz dated 31 March 2015.
This information is based on phone calls and tape recordings between members of the dreaded Caribbean mafia syndicate Ndrangheta. It seems the investigating officers of this huge cocaine-trafficking operation have proof that the boss of the gang had admitted about drugs in Costa Concordia to one of his associates.

The drug gangs apparently have links with other vessels of Costa Cruises apart from ships owned by MSC and Norwegian Cruise Lines. These ships travel between Europe, North America and the Caribbean.
The owners were not aware of these clandestine activities because these were handled by the lower level staff and members of the crew.
Incidentally, the Costa Concordia was carrying over 4,000 passengers and crew aboard when it partially capsized on the night of 13 January 2012, close to the island of Giglio, after the captain performed a risky maneuver. As a result, it crash into rocks near the shore.
In February this year, Francesco Schettino, the captain of the ship, was found guilty of manslaughter and given a 16-year sentence. He had not only caused a shipwreck but had also abandoned the ship before his passengers.
The wreckage of the Concordia has, since, been towed to Genoa in July last year to be scrapped in a complex, €100m operation. This operation is expected to last nearly two years.

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