NEWS UPDATE: Emerald Princess Cancelled | Alaska Cruising Returns | Women Kicked off Freedom OTS

Join my private Facebook group for cruise deals, tips and advice - the more members we have, the better we’ll get! www.facebook.com/groups/CTGdeals Head to my website for great cruise and travel deals: www.thecruiseandtravelguy.com.au Follow me on Facebook and Instagram: www.facebook.comn/thecruiseandtravelguy www.instragram.com/thecruiseandtravelguy The state of Alaska is enjoying their cruise revival, with ships from multiple fleets set to embark on 84 round trip voyages from Seattle to the spectacular state before the end of October. Serenade of the Seas was the first ship to return to the region, with each cruise voyage set to bring an estimated $4.2 million dollars into the region for a total windfall of over $350m to Alaskan towns. Supporting over 5,500 jobs, the return of cruising to the Alaska region marks the beginning of a North American cruise resurgence, and one that I hope can be emulated down under before long. Scotland has also joined the growing list of countries allowing cruising to resume within their territory. The country had originally chosen to remain shut to the cruise industry, even as England opened its ports to leisure ships, but as of July 19th, travellers can once again enjoy the fun and joy of a cruise from their Scottish doorsteps. Cruises will be a domestic only affair, exclusively sailing with residents of the UK. In Singapore, Quantum of the Seas and World Dream have once again returned to heightened onboard health restrictions, in line with a reintroduction of strict protocols on land. The measures will be in place until August 18th, with each ship reduced to a passenger capacity of 25%. Cabin capacity will be limited to 2 passengers, except for the case where all cabin occupants are from the same household. There will be no seated dining or bar service, with room service and take away the only options to enjoy a meal or beverage. Guests that don’t want to sail under these strict measures can opt for a full refund. Princess has detailed some changes to it’s 2022 season, with a number of itineraries scheduled to visit the South Pacific and Fiji altered to instead visit Australian and New Zealand ports. The change is in line with expectations that broader international travel will not be possible until mid to late 2022. Cruises affected include South Pacific and Papua New Guinea cruises on Sapphire Princess, Royal Princess and Coral Princess between January and March. Affected guests can cancel their reservations for a full refund before August 21st. Princess also announced just this morning that Emerald Princess will be redeployed to the Northern Hemisphere and as a result, her entire upcoming Australian season has been cancelled. Affected cruises include all of those between December 28th and March 9th. Details of the redeployment have yet to emerge. Guests affected by the cancellation can opt for a full refund, a future cruise credit with 10% bonus, or can transfer their booking to an alternative voyage as determined by Princess. In what is perhaps a sign of the confusion and complexity behind Royal Caribbean’s dual-experience cruises from Florida, two passengers claim they were incorrectly identified as vaccinated guests during boarding on Freedom of the Seas. The two women reported that they were provided with purple bracelets, indicating that they were vaccinated when in fact they were not. The claim continues that upon realising the mistake, Royal Caribbean crew tested the ladies and one came back with a positive result. The pair were disembarked in the Bahamas and flown to their homes. Cruise lines operating from Florida are subject to laws which prevent them from seeking a passenger’s vaccination status. To get around this, cruise lines are allowing passengers to volunteer their status, and the onboard experience is tailored for each group. Some of the restrictions for unvaccinated guests include limited access to onboard venues and restrictions in port. A similar law was recently introduced in Texas and Carnival Cruises are trialling a similar arrangement in that state. Thanks for watching!