Travel News November/December 2020


HAT a year! It’s not all that surprising that so many of us have written 2020 of as one of those unforgettably disastrous years. We’ve seen a huge nuke land on the travel industry and the great Northern Irish holiday being moved to the back garden with a G & T. We seem to be moving two steps forward, three steps back, but one thing is for sure, travel will return. It has to. We have morphed into a breed of sun worshippers and adventure seekers; the garden is great, but there’s only so much culture one can absorb from sniffing the daisies. We want more. One of the most effected casualty in this tidal wave wipe out, has been our much loved cruising industry. Covid may have crushed our cruising dreams for 2020, but keep your eyes on the prize folks… Nothing stays the same forever. The media affect so much of our perceptions and our mindset, cruising really got a battering, but we can’t live without the duchess of dreams forever and as soon as we get the all clear to set sail, I’ll been the queue for a balcony suite! Forward planning from this point on is the best way to keep one step ahead of the cold turkey - keeping the dream alive, making your booking and knowing, that you’re in safe hands with your local travel agent! (I think most of us have learned the value of having an actual human being in the travel agency up the street after this horror show over the past lot of months!) I’m taking my own advice and I’m keeping my eyes on the days of future travel and I have booked my next cruise with confidence through Travel Solutions… In a world where no-one has any confidence in anything anymore, I can rest easy knowing that if my 2023 Caribbean cruise goes floating up the river, I will be looked after and my hard earned cash will not be flittered into space! That’s the beauty of cruising, so many of the itineraries are released well in advance, it gives ample time to hope that surely, the world has to be somewhat normalised by then, and it allows for plenty of time to make plans for a holiday of a lifetime and pay it off over time. My 2023 dream is due to set sail that April, I managed to bag my outside balcony cabin, a little bit of early bird discount and I have the islands and some sunshine on the horizon. I will be setting sail with Norwegian Cruise Line on NCL Sky, for 9 nights, leaving from Miami… Drinks package included! Holidaymakers chose to cruise for different reasons, some love the opulence the great ships, the onboard entertainment, the food, the drinks packages! They chose to voyage across the seven seas in a glorious large ship like Encore with it’s fabulous theatres, Go Karting and laser tag… Me? I go for the destinations! When you prefer to have your feet on the ground as opposed to in the air, cruising is the best way to make the most of your flight. Two flights, six destinations, five less panic attacks. My itinerary will see me visiting Norwegian Cruise Line’s own private island, Great Stirrup Cay, Puerto Rico, St. Marteen, Dominican Republic and Grand turk before returning to Miami. In many ways, this is the ideal time to book the trip of a lifetime you never thought you would make - our new restrictions are allowing us to look at travel through a long distance lens and amalgamate all of our disappointment at failed attempts at travel of 2020 and focus our energy and our cash on something bigger and better, just a little bit further ahead! The opportunities are as vasty as the ocean and there’s not vitamin D supplement that can beat the real warmth of the Caribbean sun! Book now for your future cruise!


CRUISE WITH CONFIDENCE W


By Gemma Weir


Diamond Princess gets ready to set sail for her maiden season with two new Pacific crossings in 2021 and 2022


Silverseas Cruises Takes Delivery of New Ship, Silver Moon


SILVERSEA Cruises took delivery of new ship Silver Moon—the ninth vessel in the leading ultra-luxury cruise line’s fleet.


During an intimate celebration held at Fincantieri’s


shipyard in Ancona, executives from Silversea Cruises, the Royal Caribbean Group, and Fincantieri expressed gratitude to all involved: delivering live speeches via video feed, Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group, and Jason Liberty, Executive Vice President and CFO of the Royal Caribbean Group, each commended the more than 1,000 craftspeople who contributed to the build. Present in Ancona, Luigi Matarazzo—Fincantieri’s General Manager Merchant Ships Division—and Roberto Martinoli—Silversea’s President and CEO— addressed attendees, before Martinoli penned his signature to officially take delivery of the ship. Giovanni Stecconi, the Director of Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, subsequently presented Captain Alessandro Zanello, Silver Moon’s Master—who was also at the helm for the delivery Silver Moon’s sister ship, Silver Muse, in 2017—with a commemorative ampoule that contained seawater from the launch. Concluding Silver Moon’s delivery, those present raised a glass of champagne, while respecting physical distancing protocol, to welcome the ship to Silversea’s fleet.


“I congratulate all those involved in the build of


Silver Moon; it is a proud moment for everybody at Silversea Cruises, the Royal Caribbean Group, and Fincantieri,” says Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of the Royal Caribbean Group.


“This beautiful ship represents the resilience of the global cruise industry and it is encouraging to see such innovation and progress in this challenging period. I


have long said that Silversea Cruises is the jewel in the crown of the Royal Caribbean Group and I am today reminded of the cruise line’s quality. “Silver Moon represents the pinnacle of luxury travel; I look forward to welcoming our guests aboard in the near future.” “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Silver


Moon to the Silversea fleet. The epitome of 21st- century luxury travel, she possesses a number of innovations that will build on the success of her sister ship Silver Muse, such as our pioneering new S.A.L.T. culinary programme, which we are eager for our guests to experience,” says Martinoli. “Every exquisite detail of Silver Moon is an expression of our successful collaboration with one of the world’s premier shipbuilders. It is apt that Silver Moon was built here in Italy, a cradle of luxury and a country celebrated for its rich culinary heritage. I thank Fincantieri’s leadership team and the more than 1,000 talented craftspeople who overcame the unprecedented challenges of 2020 to make this delivery possible. I also thank Royal Caribbean Group for their invaluable support; Silver Moon is a testament to the success of our collaboration.” “Silver Moon is the third of Silversea’s ultra-luxury cruise ships to result from our longstanding, successful collaboration, and we at Fincantieri take great pride in handing over a ship that embodies the highest standards of style, comfort, and whispered luxury,” says Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. “We are honoured to have partnered with Silversea in launching their highly successful Muse-class ships, and we are confident that Silver Moon will strengthen the line’s legacy of pushing boundaries in luxury cruise travel.”


Holiday World Show Belfast 2021 Cancelled – Rescheduled Until 2022


THE Holiday World Show, which was set to take place next year from January 14-16 has been rescheduled to 2022 in line with current COVID-19 health guidelines.


Business Exhibitions Ltd said they had made the


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difficult decision to reschedule this year’s show, along with the Holiday World Show Dublin, The Holiday Show in association with Shannon Airport and the Caravan & Motorhome Shows in Belfast & Dublin, to ensure the safety and comfort of all exhibitors, partners and attendees. The Irish Travel Industry Awards and The TRAVEL Extra Journalist of the Year Awards will also be rescheduled to take place in 2022. Holiday World Show features exhibitors from home and abroad, and presenting just about every type of holiday experience imaginable. Holiday World Show also offers a wide range of multicultural entertainment, as well as competitions, attractions and special show-only offers. Business Exhibitions will return with the events in 2022. Maureen Ledwith, Sales Director of Holiday


World Show, stated: “It is with a very heavy heart that we have made the difficult decision to reschedule the 31st Holiday World Show Dublin, The Holiday World Show Belfast, The Holiday Show in association with Shannon Airport, The Caravan & Motorhome Shows Belfast & Dublin, The TRAVEL Extra Journalist of the Year Awards and The Irish Travel Industry Awards 2021. With the rising cases of COVID-19 in Ireland and throughout the world, we as organisers have a duty of care to all our visitors, exhibitors and staff.” She continued: “We understand this will be a huge disappointment to many of our frequent attendees,


exhibitors and partners alike, but on balance we consider rescheduling the events to be the best course of action at this time. These events will take place in 2022 and have the ability to showcase all aspects of the Travel Industry both Domestic and International. We look forward to bringing the Travel Industry together again in 2022. On behalf of all of us here at Business Exhibitions, thank you for your continuing support and understanding.”


Business Exhibitions will proceed with events for 2022 on the following dates: • The Holiday Show in association with Shannon Airport 8/9 January • Holiday World Show Belfast – 14/16 of January • Holiday World Show Dublin – 21/23 of January • Caravan & Motorhome Shows – Belfast 14/16 of January and Dublin – 21/23 of January • Irish Travel Industry Awards – January 20 • TRAVEL Extra Journalist of the Year Awards – January 21 Pat Dawson, CEO of the ITAA said: “The annual


Holiday World Shows and the Irish Travel Industry Awards are highlights of the travel trade and press calendars in Ireland. Unfortunately, due to concerns surrounding the spread of COVID-19, we feel that it would be in everyone’s best interests to reschedule to 2022, to ensure the health and safety of all parties involved.”


He continued: “These last few months have been incredibly stressful for the Irish Travel Industry, with many businesses under immense pressure due to travel restrictions brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are looking forward to rescheduling these events in 2022, so that we can come together as an industry once again.”


CRUISE UPDATE 23


Key West to Limit Cruise Ship Traffic


THE Key West cruise ship ballot has approved measures to restrict the size of vessels and the number of cruisers able to come ashore each day. Priority will also be given to ships attaining the highest environmental and health safety standards. The number of cruise passengers coming ashore has been limited to 1,500 a day, and the capacity of ships calling at Key West has been limited to no more than 1,300 passengers.


The changes will be added to the city’s charter.


MSC Cruises Opens Sales for 2023 World Cruise


MSC CRUISES has opened sales for the MSC World Cruise 2023 featuring 53 stunning destinations in 33 countries across six continents with a focus on aspirational locations in Asia. The spectacular 119-day voyage on board MSC


Poesia will commence on 5 January 2023 from Genoa in Italy and the ship will undertake a 30,000 nautical mile journey that will eventually cross 24 separate time zones with other embarkation ports of Civitavecchia/ Rome, Marseille and Barcelona. Crossing the Atlantic Ocean from Europe, MSC


Poesia will visit the tropical islands of the Caribbean and then sail through the Panama Canal, an experience that will live long in the memory for all on board. Next on the voyage of a lifetime will be the west coast of Central America with calls in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Guatemala and Mexico before heading to San Francisco. The Pacific leg will feature visits to Maui, Hawaii,


Samoa, Fiji, Auckland in New Zealand, Sydney, the Australian Gold Coast, Cairns and the incredible Great Barrier Reef, Papua New Guinea and the Philippines. The ship will then arrive in Japan during the beautiful cherry blossom season with calls at Kyoto and Tokyo. Guests will further discover the sights and sounds


of Asia with visits to Shanghai, Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia. Crossing the Indian Ocean to the Gulf region of the Middle East, MSC Poesia will then head home to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal, yet another unforgettable experience to behold.


CDC Lifts ‘No Sail’ Order Giving Green Light for Return to Cruising


THE CDC has lifted its ‘no sail’ order for cruise lines, but replaced this with a conditional order with specific protocols cruise lines must follow before they can resume operations.


Also, cruises must be limited to no more than seven days and all crew and passengers must be tested for Covid-19 before embarking and disembarking. The CDC said there would be a phased return to cruising, after the operators have demonstrated their ability to mitigate the risks of Covid-19. CLIA, who represent 95% of the world’s ocean-


going cruise lines, have voluntarily suspended all US cruises for the remainder of 2020.


The extension to the pause in operations will give the cruise lines more time to comply with new guidance from public health experts and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CLIA represents cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Princess Cruises, MSC Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Carnival Cruise Lines.


Costa Cruises Cancels Caribbean and World Cruises


COSTA Cruises has cancelled its Caribbean cruise onboard Costa Favolosa, and its 2021 World Tour on Costa Deliziosa.


Guests are being given the option to re-book for 2022. The cruise line’s other ships will continue to operate a reduced scheduled until next year due to the ongoing travel restrictions in some countries. Costa Smeralda will sail only in Italy until the end


of February 2021, visiting Savona, La Spezia, Cagliari, Messina, Naples and Civitavecchia/Rome. Costa Deliziosa will continue operating her current one-week itinerary in Italy and Greece until January 3, 2021, calling at Trieste, Katakolon/Olympia, Athens, Heraklion/Crete and Bari, instead of visiting Montenegro and Croatia as originally planned. Costa Diadema will postpone the start of her Mediterranean cruises until April 6, 2021, offering 14- day cruises to Turkey and 14-day cruises to Egypt and Greece, as scheduled. The new ship Costa Firenze, which is currently in the


final stages of completion at the Fincantieri shipyard, will be delivered as planned in mid-December 2020, but the launch of its seven-day cruises to Italy, France and Spain has been postponed until February 28.


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