TUI announces cancellation of restart date

[A&L_Ont]

I’m not sure how this will effect cruising but it should have a domino effect of some variety, even if it is just quarantines for those that sail in Europe. 
 

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/europe-s-travel-windows-are-slamming-shut-1.5084506

Edited August 30, 2020 by A&L_Ont

[steamboats]

3 hours ago, A&L_Ont said:

I’m not sure how this will effect cruising but it should have a domino effect of some variety, even if it is just quarantines for those that sail in Europe. 
 

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/coronavirus/europe-s-travel-windows-are-slamming-shut-1.5084506

 

Not that much so far... MSC announced that they are doing a second test after leaving Malta, as Malta is on the no travel list of Italy. Tests are also needed for the planned Greece cruises (that´s the reason for the delay of the MSC Magnifica´s cruises - new regulations). Costa starts out of Italy without any non Italian ports (and skipped Greece and Malta) with Italians only. Norway is the problem... that caused TUI Cruises to change their itineraries and delay AIDA´s restart.

 

steamboats

[Biker19]

On 8/30/2020 at 10:51 AM, steamboats said:

TUI Cruises has full charter flights only and no individual shore tours for the Greece cruises.

That may not mean much if you have this: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53970217

 

 

A flight from Zante where nearly 200 people were told to self-isolate was a "debacle" with many travellers not wearing masks, a passenger has said.

 

Stephanie Whitfield told the BBC the Tui flight was full of "covidiots" who appeared to disregard the rules.

Sixteen passengers on flight TOM6215 from the Greek island to Cardiff have now tested positive, Public Health Wales (PHW) said.

 

Tui said safety was a priority and it was concerned by Ms Whitfield's claims.

 

"A full investigation is now under way as these concerns weren't reported during the flight or before today," Tui added.

 

The 193 passengers and crew who were on board the flight on 25 August are being asked to self-isolate for a fortnight.

Health officials said seven people from three different parties are believed to have been potentially infectious on board the aircraft.

[steamboats]

5 hours ago, Biker19 said:

That may not mean much if you have this: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53970217

 

😲😲 At least those are full charters for the cruise. They all have been tested two days prior to the flight. And all of them are aware that they do have to wear masks onboard (not just the plane but the ship). If they don´t obey they have to leave the ship (so far this did not happen with TUI Cruises - at least that´s not been heard of).

 

steamboats

[Biker19]

Genting Cruise Lines announced that the company is working to forge a strategic partnership with the Sanya CBD Administration and a prominent national travel industry corporation to establish a joint venture company to facilitate operations of Dream Cruises in Sany, according to a press release. 

 

The goal of the new joint venture will be to launch domestic cruise itineraries out of the central cruise hub of Hainan, and to support the development of a free trade, pilot cruise tourism zone on Hainan Island.

 

“We are keen to support the Chinese government’s efforts in rebuilding its travel and tourism sector by providing a safe and care-free vacation option for consumers,” said Kent Zhu, President, Genting Cruise Lines. “Genting Cruise Lines has enjoyed a long and fruitful relationship with China, and especially in Hainan Island, for nearly 30 years and we will continue to build on the strong collaborative spirit we have forged together.”

 

Since 1994, Genting Cruise Lines’ ships have been visiting Hainan as a regular port of call. In 2011, Genting Cruise Lines became the first international cruise company to homeport in Sanya, developing the city into an international cruise destination.

 

Sanya boasts an abundance of advantages to complement the pilot implementation of the “Hainan Cruise Port Sea-Upstream Route” plan, such as the first dedicated cruise terminal providing the only cruise itineraries to the Xisha islands in the country, Genting said.

 

The city’s location also allows for the longest number of cruising days for domestic sailings, and there are plans to further develop Sanya into the largest cruise homeport in China.

 

Mr. Wu Haifeng, Vice Mayor of the Sanya Municipal People’s Government and President of the Sanya CBD Administration said: “Genting Hong Kong is the first cruise company to homeport in the city and with the longest deployment period and the highest number of sailings to date. Since its establishment, the Sanya CBD Administration has initiated planning for the industry and devised policies in support of the industry. We have also established a cruise and yachting service center and a representative system for commercial stakeholders, as well as hosted a Forum on the Innovation of the Cruise and Yachting Industry. Moving forward, the Sanya CBD will collaborate with the government to diversify the supply of cruise travel products in the market, to develop cruise destinations and extend the industry chain, with the aim to build Sanya into a key cruise travel hub in the Asia-Pacific region. The Sanya CBD Administration will continue to strive for excellence in its public service to the industry, to foster an ideal business environment for investors, as well as to work with companies to rebuild consumer confidence in cruise travel and to drive the sustained development of the cruise industry.”

 

Zhu added: “The establishment of a joint venture company in Sanya demonstrates our commitment and determination to further drive the development of cruise tourism in Hainan. Our aim is to provide a dedicate presence in Sanya, focused on promoting the rich cultural heritage of the island coupled with the wealth of cruise experience of Genting Cruise Lines. In the post-pandemic era of travel, we hope that the authorities will further relax their policy for cruise companies operating domestic cruises and we will leverage on policies in Hainan, such as the “Flag Of Convenience” pilot program, to entice inbound international travelers. The long-term goal is to put Hainan on the map as one of the most popular global cruise homeports and the central hub among popular destinations that can be easily reached within 24-hours.”

[sgmn]

On 8/31/2020 at 10:50 AM, Biker19 said:

That may not mean much if you have this: https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-53970217

 

 

Zante is renowned for a party destination for groups of young people. I would think that a charter for ships cruisers would be of a different demographic. Though I agree that reading the article, the crew did little to enforce the covid rules 

Edited September 2, 2020 by sgmn

[little britain]

On 8/31/2020 at 4:19 PM, steamboats said:

 

😲😲 At least those are full charters for the cruise. They all have been tested two days prior to the flight. And all of them are aware that they do have to wear masks onboard (not just the plane but the ship). If they don´t obey they have to leave the ship (so far this did not happen with TUI Cruises - at least that´s not been heard of).

 

steamboats

I don’t think these passengers were anything to do with a cruise 

[Biker19]

I think the info in this article gets the ship wrong (MS2 instead of MS6) :

TUI Cruises is preparing to start sailing from Greece on Sept. 13, which could make it the first international line to do so since the pandemic.

Marcus Puttich, head of port & ground operations, told the Cruise Europe newsletter Mein Schiff 2 is readying for weeklong cruises from Heraklion, calling at Piraeus and Corfu, with scenic sailing of Santorini.

 

Charter flights, controlled excursions

Passengers will arrive on charter flights from Germany, and these will be TUI's first cruises with shore excursions that must be booked through the line. (Tours are provided by Intercruises, part of the TUI Group.)

 

Starting this month, TUI Cruises will be requiring passengers to present a negative SARS-CoV-19 PCR test and, like sister company Hapag-Lloyd Cruises, it has an arrangement with Germany's Helios hospitals to conduct the tests.

 

MSC to follow Sept. 26

MSC Cruises plans to begin Greece sailings on MSC Magnifica Sept. 26, a date it pushed back from late August, while Marella Cruises canceled what would have been its re-entry to service with cruises from Corfu in October, and instead aims to start from the Canary Islands in mid-November.

 

TUI Cruises resumed sailing July 24 when Mein Schiff 2 embarked from Hamburg on a short scenic cruise to Norway. Mein Schiff 1 then began short sailings from Kiel July 31, with both ships progressing to weeklong cruises on Aug. 7, according to the Cruise Europe newsletter. Capacity initially was held at 50%, or 1,500 passengers, and, now, 60%.

 

When Norwegian ports closed to cruise ships carrying more than 100 passengers following Hurtigruten's coronavirus outbreak, TUI switched from navigating to southern Norway and the Oslofjord and went toward the Baltic, Stockholm and Turku.

 

So far, Puttich told the Cruise Europe newsletter, no passengers or crew on an active TUI ship have exhibited coronavirus symptoms.

[steamboats]

Yes, it´s definitely Mein Schiff 6 doing the Greece cruises.

 

Starting by September all passengers need a negative Covid-19 PCR test. TUI Cruises has teamed up with a hospital chain which operates 86 hospitals all over Germany. Anyway that doesn´t mean you have to drive up to 200 km (one way) to reach one of those test centers. This test is included in the price and they guarantee a result until a certain time. You only get an answer until that certain time when your test is positive. Negative results are directly processed to TUI Cruises.

 

steamboats

[B-52]

Yesterday, my Wife and I went to U-Penn's Perelmen Medical Center in Philadelphia, which is, a Pulmonary - Lung Transplant facility. They take this pandemic very seriously due to the fragility of their patients,

Elevators: They have personnel stationed at the elevators, and only allow 4 people on at a time. Circles marked on floor showing where to stand.

We are both Diamond +, so have experiences on cruises. We both looked at each other and commented, can you imagine something like this on a cruise ship? No way.
Also, we met with a Pulmonary Specialist, one of the top in the country for Lung Transplants, research, etc. I asked him about a vaccine. He has been actively involved and said don't expect anything soon.....everything you hear is political. His words.

[Biker19]

Looks like MS2 is going to Skagen for her short sailings this week (3/4 day sailings).

[Germancruiser]

I can´t wait to get tested to board the MS1 in four weeks time. Should be interessting to see when it is my turn to be tested. At the moment I am rather postiv to be negativ. LOL.

[little britain]

Costa Cruise will restart its cruise operations beginning with Costa Deliziosa from Trieste on September 6, 2020, and Costa Diadema from Genoa on September 19, 2020. 

To ensure maximum safety for guests, crew, and the destination communities, the September cruises of Costa Deliziosa and Costa Diadema will be reserved exclusively for Italian guests, with one-week itineraries calling at Italian ports only, allowing to rediscover in safety Italy’s finest destinations.

 

 

[livingonthebeach]

2 hours ago, little britain said:

Costa Cruise will restart its cruise operations beginning with Costa Deliziosa from Trieste on September 6, 2020...

 

Looks like Costa Deliziosa is on the way to Bari, having left Trieste.  Hoping all goes well. 🤞

[Biker19]

 

[Biker19]

 

[Roger88]

24 minutes ago, Biker19 said:

 

Thank you so much for your videos, they made me feel so comfortable and confident right now. I cant wait to jump on the first cruise available. I also like  the way you share the information, I like the way you speak and film the videos. Thank you very much for such a good inside video of a cruiser. Hope to meet you someday somewhere man 

[Biker19]

 

[Biker19]

 

[Biker19]

33 minutes ago, Roger88 said:

Thank you so much for your videos

Just to be clear, these are not mine - just something I found on Youtube.

[Biker19]

 

[livingonthebeach]

Interesting videos.  Thank you @Biker19 for posting them.  There are many things I liked and a few I disliked.  

 

Liked:

• Staggered appointment boarding
• 60% capacity
• Short (six minute) muster drill limited to a few people at a time with a window of time to complete
• No lines or crowds anywhere
• Dining tables spaced out not crowded together and a seat always available
• Buffet buddy (waiter) to assist in buffet selections
• Most specialty restaurants included
• Smoothies and gelato included
• Lounge chairs spaced out more
• No chair hogs
• Pool and hot tub all to yourself
• More sanitation and overall improved cleanliness
• Very organized and professionally run
• Relaxing atmosphere

Disliked:

• Wearing masks (I would rather wait until this is no longer a requirement although I agree with wearing them in this case)
• Teeny tiny casino with smoking allowed
• Black jack tables limited to a few hours a day
• Daily temperature checks (Again would wait until this is no longer a requirement)
• Very limited activities
• Limited music and dancing
• No port stops
• No English translations (although I'm sure there's enough people who speak English who could translate) I realize the cruise was for geared for Germans only. 

Overall great job TUI!  It gives us a glimmer of hope and a look into how cruising might restart here at home. 

 

 

[Vera/Lee]

5 hours ago, Biker19 said:

Just to be clear, these are not mine - just something I found on Youtube.

Thanks for sharing!

[MommaBear55]

On 9/4/2020 at 7:06 AM, B-52 said:

Yesterday, my Wife and I went to U-Penn's Perelmen Medical Center in Philadelphia, which is, a Pulmonary - Lung Transplant facility. They take this pandemic very seriously due to the fragility of their patients,

Elevators: They have personnel stationed at the elevators, and only allow 4 people on at a time. Circles marked on floor showing where to stand.

We are both Diamond +, so have experiences on cruises. We both looked at each other and commented, can you imagine something like this on a cruise ship? No way.
Also, we met with a Pulmonary Specialist, one of the top in the country for Lung Transplants, research, etc. I asked him about a vaccine. He has been actively involved and said don't expect anything soon.....everything you hear is political. His words.

Just went to my pulmonologist today, and my experience was the same. I also asked about the vaccine and he is dubious that it will be before Spring. 

[Biker19]