Vaccination Rates Are Far Higher On Cruise Ships
As noted above, cruise lines have instituted some insanely strict new COVID-19 rules. At many lines, these new rules include a requirement that every single person on the ship both crew and passengers be fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
Of the seven ships on which Ive sailed since March, five have such a requirement.
The remaining two vessels, both Royal Caribbean ships, required that nearly all passengers be vaccinated. Royal Caribbean has a vaccine-required rule but is making exceptions to it for children under the age of 12 who are ineligible for a vaccine. But even on these ships, the vaccination rate when I was on board was over 90%.
That means that the vast majority of people with whom I have come in contact on ships have been vaccinated for COVID-19.
By contrast, in the state where I live, North Carolina, fewer than 50% of people are fully vaccinated for COVID-19 . That means that, in theory, more than half of the people with whom I come in contact while living my life at home are not vaccinated.
Thats a big difference, and one big reason why I have a higher comfort level right now being on a ship than in my home town.
Saga Review Which Recommended Provider
Saga, which offers small-scale ocean cruises exclusively for the over-50s, is a new WRP for 2021. In the past, concerns over the transparency of its excursion prices have prevented us from recommending it, but it has made significant improvements in this area this year, without losing any of what makes its cruises so excellent. Customer service, quality of food and value for money are all second-to-none.
, or read our full Saga review for more information.
Small Ship Line #: Windstar Cruises
The lines six shipsthree sailing yachts and three all-suite motor yachtsspecialize in visiting ports that ban larger ships, like the Byzantine hilltop town of Monemvasia in the Greek Islands, and the sleepy, palm-fringed Caribbean island of Bequia. Those smaller ports can give a sense of intimacy that isnt always present in the most common cruise destinations, allowing for wholly different experiences. In 2017, Windstar also became the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation, introducing further special itineraries with culinary themes and guest chefs.
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William Rutala Md Ms Mph Hsp Panelist
Dr. William Rutala has extensive experience managing a variety of diseases and studying epidemiology and virology, particularly managing outbreaks and emerging pathogens. His research interests are the etiology and prevention of healthcare-associated infections with a focus on disinfection and sterilization of reusable medical and surgical devices. Other areas of research include the contribution of the hospital environment to disease transmission, hand hygiene, preventing transmission of infectious agents, including multiply-drug resistant organisms, prevention of healthcare-associated Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, investigation of healthcare-associated outbreaks, and new and emerging pathogens.
What Cruise Line Is Best For Adults
#1. Viking Ocean Cruises. #1 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. #2. Seabourn Cruise Line. #2 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. #3. Azamara. #3 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. #4. Crystal Cruises. #4 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples. #5. Regent Seven Seas Cruises. #6. Celebrity Cruises. #7. Oceania Cruises. #8. Silversea Cruises.
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Small Ship Line #1: Crystal Yacht Cruises
In early 2015, Crystal brought a yacht into its fleet for the first time, and following its success, the cruise line decided to custom-build a polar-class expedition megayacht. The ultra-luxe Crystal Endeavor, which sails to remote locations like the Arctic and the Antarctic, as well as urban ports around the world, launched in 2021, and can carry up to 200 passengers.
Small Ship Line #1: Star Clippers
Star Clippers has a fleet of three ships, with its flagship Royal Clipper holding the record as the worlds largest full-rigged sailing ship. All three are sailing yachts, unfurling their sails for itineraries across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Southeast Asia, with classic exteriors and interiors featuring several bars, a swimming pool, library, and formal dining room.
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The 5 Safest Cruise Ports For Passengers
For some cruise passengers, safety is a major factor in their decision to pick a particular cruise. Whether fairly or unfairly, some ports of call have reputations for being dangerous, whether that reputation be based on data, anecdotes of other passengers, or just preconceptions of a place.
The good news? Statistically, cruising is the safest form of travel.
As Travel Pulse reported in 2016, cruise ships have the lowest rate of deaths per billion passenger miles with 0.08. Compare that to 11.9 for rail travel, 3.3 for cars and trucks and 0.8 for commercial air.
When it comes to cruise safety, there are two distinct areas to look at being on the ship and being in port .
Fortunately, several factors protect most cruisers from crime when visiting port cities. Cruise ships usually arrive in a port in the morning and depart by early evening, meaning passengers are back onboard before nightfall.
Also, cruisers visiting ports frequently travel in groups with official tours organized by the cruise line and led by experienced guides. If youre a novice cruise traveler and feel apprehensive about safety, you may want to stick to these guided tours rather than venturing out on your own.
In general, these factors make visiting a port of call relatively safe.
Hurtigruten Review Which Recommended Provider
It’s all about the destination on a Hurtigruten ocean cruise. Its vessels may not be the most luxurious around, but they are compact enough to access smaller ports and towns that large ships can’t. Throw in exceptional customer service and there are few better ways to explore Norway and the Arctic.
, or read our full Hurtigruten review for more information.
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Large Ship Line #: P& o Cruises
The United Kingdoms premier cruise lineand the worlds oldest, having commenced passenger operations in 1837P& O sails Europe, North America, and the Caribbean with a crowd made up primarily of British nationals. As such, prepare for the ships amenities to have a British bent . Three of the fleets six current ships fall into the large category, while its two adults-only ships, MS Aurora and MS Arcadia, are medium-sized. P& O’s newest ship, MS Iona is a mega-ship, as will be her sister, MS Arvia, due to sail in 2022.
River Ship Line #: Grand Circle Cruise Line
Grand Circle Cruise Line might not have the largest followingyou probably haven’t heard of it, have you?but it certainly has a loyal one. Known for its immersive itineraries, this smaller cruise line is part of tour operator Grand Circle Travel, but it does have its own fleet of six river ships. Five of them sail in Europe, while the sixth, appropriately named Nefertiti, sails Egypt’s Nile.
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River Ship Line #: Crystal River Cruises
Crystal River Cruises launched in 2016 with custom-built river ships. The company is dead-set on matching the top-of-the-line service of its ocean ships, and it certainly has readers convinced. The fleet has five river shipsfour of which, Crystal Bach, Mahler, Debussy, and Ravel, are Europes only all-suite, all-balcony river shipssailing the Moselle, Rhine, Danube, and Main rivers. Guests enjoy an all-inclusive experience, with free butler service, unlimited drinks , Wi-Fi, and fitness classes.
Small Ship Line #1: Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity’s three expedition vessels are by far the smallest ships in the cruise line’s fleet: Celebrity Xpedition carries 48 passengers, Celebrity Xploration carries just 16, and Celebrity Flora carries 100 passengers. All three sail the Galápagos, with some itineraries including pre- or post-sailing tours to mainland Ecuador and even Peru, where guests can visit Machu Picchu.
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Majestic Princess Princess Cruises
The Majestic Princess was launched in the summer of 2017 for the Princess Cruise Line. This ships home port is in Shanghai, China and they offer Asian cruises throughout Korea and Japan. Its a highly lauded ship because of its multi story atrium and specialty dining. It also features the glass floor that goes beyond the ships edge, called the Sea Walk if you like a good thrill. The ship also offers an outdoor theater so you can watch the latest movies under the stars. There is also live music and a varitey of entertainment and educational experiences awaiting.
Phyllis Kozarsky Md Hsp Panelist And Sailsafe Council Member
Dr. Phyllis Kozarsky is a Professor Emerita in infectious diseases at Emory University and has been a clinician, researcher, and teacher for over 35 years. She was the catalyst behind the building of Emorys serious communicable disease unit that cares for patients with highly transmissible diseases such as the Ebola virus. Dr. Kozarsky has been a consultant to the CDC for over 20 years including in the Division of Global Migration and Quarantine, where she was chief of travelers health and the long-time editor of Health Information for International Travel. She has received several honors and awards from U.S. Health and Human Services and the CDC for her involvement in responses to outbreaks such as anthrax, SARS, and H1N1. Dr. Kozarsky has also been a medical consultant for several Fortune 500 companies and the White House medical unit. Dr. Kozarsky was a founder of the International Society of Travel Medicine and the GeoSentinel Surveillance Network, where she is the senior advisor.
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Disney Dream Disney Cruise Line
The number one favorite cruise ship in the world is the Disney Dream of the Disney Cruise line. Its the largest ship n the line and has undergone updates to make it one of the most technologically modern cruise ships on the seas. Its created with families in mind and it provides children with the vacation of a lifetime, especially appealing now to the teenage group and younger, providing specialized gathering places, gaming consoles and a variety of activities and entertainment for people of all ages.
Allure Of The Seas Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
The Allure of the Seas is the next to the biggest cruise ship on the planet. It has a capacity for almost 6,000 guests but there is so much room that even when fully booked, guests report that there is plenty of room without feeling crowded. There are tons of activities for all ages as well multiple dining options and lots of entertainment. The crew is friendly and helpful which helps to make this one of the most beloved ships in the fleet.
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Medium Ship Line #: Hurtigruten
What started as a coastal ferry company in Norway in 1893 has expanded its operations to include expeditions to such destinations as Antarctica, Cape Verde, and Greenland. Of Hurtigruten’s 14-ship fleet, there are seven expedition vessels, five of which fit 500 to 1,000 passengers. The cruise line’s two newest ships, MS Roald Amundsen and MS Fridtjof Nansen, are hybrid-powered ships, demonstrating Hurtigruten’s dedication to sailing as cleanly as possible to protect the environment.
River Ship Line #: Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Uniworld’s 21 ships cruise around the globe in Europe, Egypt, Russia, China, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, and Peru. Their excursions offer passengers the opportunity to get a little closer to their destinations of choice, with visits to local homes, farms, and artisans, and every excursion is rated by ability level. In 2018, two of its ships were overhauled for a new venture, U by Uniworld Cruises, with itineraries, dining, and activities that appeal to younger prospective passengersthink silent discos, mixology classes, and rooftop camping.
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Small Ship Line #: Metropolitan Touring
Operating three expedition vessels in the Galápagos, Metropolitan Touring is the ideal cruise line for those seeking a casual experience in the wildlife hotspot. The tiny ships, which only accommodate between 40 and 78 passengers, have a laid-back atmosphere where the focus is very much on wildlife spotting. The company also offers land-based tours in mainland Ecuador, Peru, and Colombia that can be combined with a Galápagos expedition.
Cruises Are A Recipe For Transmission
Even on a good day outside of the pandemic, cruises are challenging environments from an infection-control standpoint, Ostrosky says.
On a cruise, you often spend time in shared common areas. You eat and drink indoors at buffet restaurants with large communal tables, attend shows in theaters and touch all kinds of surfaces, from railings to casino games. If an outbreak happens at sea, youre restricted to the boat, which can make the outbreak harder to contain and treat.
Its just a recipe for transmission, Ostrosky says. Thats why its common to see outbreaks of other contagious respiratory or gastrointestinal viruses, like norovirus, aboard cruises.
Cruises are even particularly risky when compared to other types of travel, like driving or flying, because they present more opportunities for prolonged exposure. Frankly, the risk on a two-hour flight where everyone is masked and airflow is good is than being on a cruise ship for five days straight, says Dr. Preeti Malani, chief health officer at the University of Michigan.
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Regent Seven Seas Review Which Recommended Provider
For a luxurious, all-inclusive ocean cruising experience, it’s hard to beat Regent Seven Seas. Almost every cabin has a balcony, staff are friendly and helpful, and the port excursions are consistently enjoyably and well-organised. The only real downside is the cost.
, or read our full Regent Seven Seas review for more information.
Flexibility When You Need It
Know that weve got your back. Cancel up to 48 hours before your departure for any reason at all and get 100% of the value back in a Future Cruise Credit you can use towards any sailing you like*. And if you or someone in your travel party test positive for COVID-19 before your cruise, get a 100% cruise fare refund.*
*Sailing must depart on or before May 31, 2022.Cruise with Confidence program applies to bookings made on or before January 31, 2022 additional terms and conditions apply. COVID-19 Assistance conditioned upon compliance with the RCG COVID-19 Policies and Procedures in effect at the time of the cruise. To qualify for a refund, you must present your verified positive test result in a form acceptable to Royal Caribbean. Additional terms and conditions apply. See our COVID-19 Refund and Cancellations Policy and your Cruise Ticket Contract for details.
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Mega Ship Line #: Royal Caribbean International
If you truly want to feel like youre living in a floating city, Royal Caribbean is the cruise line for you, given that it has the four largest cruise ships in the world. Symphony of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, and Oasis of the Seas top the lists in terms of passenger count , length , and gross tonnage . Given their size, these ships provide every amenity you can think ofand plenty you cant even imaginefrom waterparks to world-class musical productions to autonomous bars staffed by robots to double-decker suites with slides for the kids. Youll find these behemoths sailing the Caribbean and Mediterranean throughout the year, but with so many activities on board, you might not even want to leave the ship.
River Ship Line #: Delfin Amazon Cruises
Sailing the Amazon River in Peru isnt quite like other river journeysits a blissful escape into the wilderness, where you might be surrounded by pink dolphins or piranhas at any given moment. Delfin, the first Relais & Chateaux cruise line, makes the journey incredibly comfortable, offering boutique hotellike accommodations aboard its three rustic-luxe ships. And, as part of the Relais & Chateaux family, the cuisine is spectacular, incorporating regional dishes made with local ingredients.
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Lind Rcl And Nclh Are Top For Value Growth And Momentum Respectively
The cruise line industry is part of the broader travel and tourism industry, focused primarily on providing sea-based vacation experiences. Companies in the industry own and operate cruise ships in various destinations worldwide, offering a variety of itineraries and themed cruises. They also may provide other travel and vacation services. The big cruise line companies include Carnival Corp. and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. . The cruise line industry has been severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions and other social-distancing measures. The Delta variant of the coronavirus continues to pose a public health threat, posing new risks to the industry.
All pure-play cruise line stocks available to U.S. investors are underperforming the broader market, having provided total returns below the 35.7% total return of the iShares Russell 1000 ETF over the past 12 months. This market performance number and all statistics in the tables below are as of Sept. 9, 2021.
Below, we look at the top 3 cruise line stocks with the best value, least sales decline, and most momentum.
There are just 4 pure-play cruise line companies easily available to U.S. investors, but we look at them in our usual style. Because the entire industry has suffered losses in the most recent quarter, the value section below will be based on price-to-sales ratio rather than the usual price-to-earnings ratio .
What One Cruise Line Is Doing To Keep Guests Safe On Cruises
Azamara, a boutique cruise line with a focus on Destination Immersion experiences, has unveiled their plan on how they will keep guests safe when they resume cruises this summer.
The cruise line is implementing new health standards on their cruise ships by launching their Explore Well at Sea program. Azamara took guidance from the Healthy Sail Panel so they can offer a safe and healthy cruise experience.
Here are the highlights of Azamaras Explore Well at Sea program. The cruise line will continue to evaluate these protocols and update them as public health standards and the global situation evolves. Booked guests and travel partners will be advised of the latest requirements prior to voyage departure.
Testing & Screening: All guests will be required to be fully vaccinated two weeks prior to sailing, as an added layer of protection to keep guests and crew safe, in addition to providing a negative SARS-CoV-2 test result. Once aboard, complimentary COVID-19 testing and medical evaluations will be available.
Air Filtration: With new HVAC filtration systems, the air indoors aboard each of Azamaras cruise ships is comparable to the fresh sea air. This advanced filtration system takes in fresh sea air and moves it through a two-stage filter, plus copper coils, to eliminate 99.99% of germs, making the transmission of aerosol particles between spaces extremely low to virtually impossible.
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