Mega Ship Line #: Msc Cruises
Though MSC is headquartered in landlocked Switzerland, this cruise line has mastered the art of mega-ships, building five of the 15 largest in the world: MSC Grandiosa, MSC Bellissima, MSC Meraviglia,MSC Virtuosa, and MSC Seashore. Each can hold between 5,300 and 6,300 passengers at maximum capacity. MSC Seashore, a New York Citythemed ship, is the newest of the five, setting sail in November 2021. It’s the longest vessel in the fleet at 1,100 feet, allowing for more than 140,000 square feet of outdoor space, plus 7,500 square feet of dedicated space for kids, including the Pirates Cove Aquapark. MSC has some plans for mega-growth, too: it has four World-class mega-ships in the pipeline, each with a capacity between 5,800 and 6,850 passengers.
Your Itinerary Could Change
While health authorities no longer are quarantining whole ships when a few passengers or crew test positive for COVID-19, the presence of the illness on board a vessel still could result in notable disruptions to your itinerary.
Cruise lines in recent weeks have faced a growing number of ports that are baulking at allowing ships with COVID-19-positive passengers or crew to dock.
Several ships recently had to skip port calls in Mexico, for instance, after passengers and crew onboard the vessels tested positive for COVID-19. The ports have since reopened after Mexicos Health Department overruled the decisions of local port officials.
Cruise ships also have had to cancel stops recently at the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaçao, and at San Juan, Puerto Rico, due to local worries about COVID-19-positive passengers and crew on board and/or tighter COVID-19-related entry requirements.
Lines also are dealing with a small but growing number of destinations India and Hong Kong, for example that are at least temporarily closed to cruising completely, even for ships where no one has tested positive for COVID-19.
List Of Top 10 Biggest Cruise Ships
Take a look at the current largest cruise ships in the industry, as expected it will keep changing as newer more advanced ships are built. Here is a quick list of the top 10 largest cruise ships in the world:
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Will There Be Cruises In 2022
Along with more existing cruise ships sailing in 2022, there are a number of brand new cruise ships scheduled to set sail. … Some of these amazing and innovative ships include Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady and Valiant Lady, as well as Celebrity Apex, Royal Caribbean’s Odyssey of the Seas, and Enchanted Princess.
Medium Ship Line #: Msc Cruises
Showing up for the third time on our list, MSC Cruises is clearly beloved by many! The Swiss cruise line has just four medium-size shipsthe Lirica classwhich accommodate between 2,000 and 2,600 passengers. Theyre also the oldest ships in the fleet, though they each underwent refurbishment as part of MSCs Renaissance program to modernize interiors and expand their size. The line is known for its Mediterranean inspirationthough its fleet sails far beyond the region, calling at ports all over the worldso youll find delicious Italian food on board no matter where your ship is taking you. MSC sailings are quite lively, especially at night, with many guests partying at nightclubs into the late hours.
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Despite The Pause On Cruising Ships Are On The Move
The cruise industry is estimated to be around us$ 45.6 billion with around 26 million passengers annually. The symphony of the seas cruise ship docked at port miami, on may 20, 2020. At the time, 40 cruise ships carrying 90,000 passengers were in the middle of their planned itineraries around the world, according to the department of homeland security . The report offers a look at the trends impacting cruise travel in the coming year and beyond as well as the overall global economic impact. So here lies our list of the world’s largest cruise vessels, ranked in order of gross tonnage, a measure of volume. Built between 1939 and 1947 as the willem ruys, a passenger liner for rotterdamsche lloyd.began service as the achille lauro for starlauro cruises since 1965.
That’s why many people opt for cruise holidays. The cruise industry is estimated to be around us$ 45.6 billion with around 26 million passengers annually. At the time, 40 cruise ships carrying 90,000 passengers were in the middle of their planned itineraries around the world, according to the department of homeland security . By emily mcpherson ? senior journalist.
Perfect day at coco cay bahamas. But some cruise ships offer better experiences than others due to their size. That’s why many people opt for cruise holidays. But clearly, unlike airliners, the over 300 cruise ships that are out there, aren’t just static, shutdown, mothballed, and tied up somewhere.
Cruise News: Whats The Latest From The Industry
Sue Bryant
Tuesday January 18 2022, 12:00pm
As Omicron continues to sweep around the world, cruising is facing uncertain times for the immediate future, at least. Outbreaks of Covid among passengers and crew mean ships are suddenly being turned away from some Caribbean and Mexican ports in what would normally be peak season. There have been cases in Europe, too, of infected passengers being disembarked and transferred to medical facilities ashore to quarantine. Some cruise lines have delayed the great comeback theyd announced for 2022.
Yet is this all gloom and doom? No. Read on to understand more about why were hearing so much about Covid on cruise ships, how it might affect your travel plans and what there is to look forward to later in 2022.
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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.
What Can You Do To Ensure A Smoother Trip
Although the CDC recommends that people avoid cruises, Treffiletti says that there are some things you can do to help mitigate your risk if you do decide to travel.
For one, before setting sail, check the color-coded chart on the CDC website to see if your ship is participating in the agencys voluntary COVID-19 program. If so, youll be able to see whether there are any outbreaks on board. If things look grim, most cruise lines have implemented fairly flexible rebooking and cancellation policies.
If youre just booking now, research the protocols of each cruise line to see if they align with your own comfort level. Gray Faust recommends purchasing trip delay and COVID-19 insurancean extra cost that will be worth it if you get infected and cant board your ship.
Gray Faust says your packing list should also account for uncertainties. She recommends packing extra clothing and medication in case you are quarantined at any point. If you can snag them, toss in some extra KN95 masks and rapid antigen tests, too.
But most of all, Gray Faust says cruisers need to go into a trip accepting that there will be health protocols in placewhich might change as conditions worsen or improveand that theyre there to keep you safe.
You need to be OK with that, she says. You can still have a great trip. But youre protecting yourself and other people by wearing masks and by getting your vaccines.
Amy McKeever is a senior writer and editor at National Geographic. You can find her on .
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Small Ship Line #: Seadream Yacht Club
Sailing through the Caribbean, around Europe, or across the Atlantic on either of SeaDreams two 112-passenger yachts means quickly getting to know your fellow guests. Facilities on the six decks include a pool, whirlpool, and casino, but the real highlight is the watersports marina that can be lowered down to the waves for easy ocean swimming, kayaking, and more. The ships often overnight in port, allowing guests the opportunity to experience the local nightlife before taking off for their next destination.
We Were Willing To Embrace The Risks
Five days after Utah resident Brett Williams and his wife set sail on what was supposed be an 11-day Caribbean cruise, he said 48 crew members and 51 passengers of the small 342-passenger sailing ship, the MSY Wind Surf, tested positive and had to be taken off the ship for quarantine in Barbados. Within a few days, he and his wife and many other passengers also tested positive and were told they couldnt fly home until they each received a negative test result.
Despite experiencing no symptoms, Brett Williams tests remained stubbornly positive. The psychologist and author made the best of what turned out to be 12 extra days stuck on the ship, eating complimentary deluxe room service meals, taking pictures of beautiful sunsets and working on his new book, a self help guide, ironically titled Unstuck.
At one point, when all the other passengers had been sent home, he and his wife even got to enjoy the ships spa pool by themselves, where he joked he wanted to order up a quarantini.
Life has risks, said Williams, who described the trip as awesome despite the disruptions. We were willing to embrace the risks.
Ghent and her husband, Allen Podell, also managed to enjoy their South America trip even though their ship, the Viking Jupiter, spent so much time at sea, since they couldnt dock, that the entertainers aboard used up all their routines in the first few days and had to resort to improvising entirely new material.
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Cruise Industry Statistics And Facts For 2022
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The cruise industry was hit hard by the pandemic with operators seeing huge drops in sales. But you may be wondering how is the industry is recovering in 2022
Ive highlighted some of the most important cruise statistics for 2021 and 2022 as well as some incredible cruise ship facts that you probably wont be aware of.
What Does The Latest Cruise Advice From The Cdc In The United States Mean
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised its cruising advisory to Level 4. This means Americans are advised against cruise travel, even if they are fully vaccinated. Its not a legal ruling just an advisory, although it has prompted outrage among the cruise lines.
Similar advisories have not been applied to hotels, airlines, theme parks, ski resorts or any other sector of travel. The issue with cruising is that even a single case of Covid on board has to be reported and outbreaks of 0.1 per cent of passengers and crew trigger an investigation by the CDC. So on a big ship with, say, a total of 6,500 people on board, including crew, this means that at the moment, just seven need to test positive to merit an investigation.
As a snapshot of the week to January 5, 94 US and foreign-flagged ships sailing in US waters were being monitored by the CDC for Covid on board, while only 16 were below the threshold for reporting, or had no reported cases. None in the CDCs colour coded chart had red status, which meant they had exceeded the threshold for reporting. But this doesnt mean cruising is grinding to a halt.
Nobody is expecting every cruise to be Covid-free even the CDC acknowledges this. But as Cruise Lines International Association , the industry body, points out: The majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little or no burden on medical resources on board or on shore.
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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.
River Ship Line #: Viking River Cruises
Parent company Viking Cruises has expanded feverishly in recent years, with more than 60 river ships and six ocean vessels in its fleet. Under Viking River Cruises, the company’s riverboats explore familiar waters like the Danube and Rhône in Europe, as well as faraway itineraries on the Volga in Russia, the Nile in Egypt, and the Mekong in Southeast Asia. Viking River Cruises also includes complimentary Wi-Fi and select shore excursions in its prices, and its Culture Curriculum offers experiential learning through events like regional wine tastings and menus that rotate seasonally.
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Whats The Situation Regarding Family Cruises This Winter
To sail to the Caribbean, some cruise lines including Disney Cruises, P& O Cruises, Cunard and Princess Cruises are asking that children from age five upwards are fully vaccinated. This rule has been introduced now that over-fives in the US, the worlds biggest cruise market, are being offered the Pfizer vaccine. It makes sailing with these lines almost impossible for British families planning a Caribbean cruise this winter, as were not yet double-vaccinating five-year-olds.
Under-fives must have a negative PCR test before travel and all passengers, regardless of vaccine status, will still need to take a PCR test before embarking the ship. Whether other cruise lines follow suit remains to be seen.
If youre travelling to Europe, most lines say that unvaccinated children can sail but must have a negative PCR test before embarking. You wont be allowed ashore independently, either, if your children arent double vaccinated, only on the cruise lines official bubble excursions.
Another thing to bear in mind is that childrens clubs on some ships will operate at limited capacity, so you may need to book in advance. P& O Cruises says its night nursery, a much-loved feature by parents, wont be operating for the time being.
Large Ship Line #: Holland America Line
As its name indicates, Holland America is a cruise line that was established in 1873 to primarily ferry passengers, many of whom were emigrants, between the Netherlands and the United States. Of course, these days, the cruise line sails more broadly to more than 470 ports around the world on its 11 shipsand its highly regarded for its Alaska itineraries. While passengers can enjoy classic cruise activities like swimming, sports, and gambling, Holland America is particularly noted for its culinary and musical programs: it has a partnership with the TV show Americas Test Kitchen for cooking demonstrations, cooking classes, and a number of live music venues , and stage productions dedicated to the history of music on many of its ships. The latest addition to Holland Americas fleet is the Rotterdam, which first set sail in July 2021, with a capacity of 2,650 passengers.
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Medium Ship Line #: Viking Ocean Cruises
Originally a river cruise line, Viking has launched six ocean-going vessels since 2015, the most recent being the brand-new Viking Venus, whose maiden voyage took place in 2021. The ships are nearly identical, carrying 930 passengers each, housed in balcony staterooms. Though not all-inclusive, Viking Ocean offers guests one free excursion in each port , beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and an unlimited Wi-Fi connection.
There Are More Than 50 Cruise Lines In The World
There are more than 50 cruise lines operating in 2022, as recognised by the Cruise Lines International Association as well as some smaller brands.
In 2020, three cruise lines went out of business as a result of the pandemic the UK-based Cruise & Maritime Voyages, Spains Pullmantur Cruises and a Swedish cruise line called Birka Cruises.
New cruise lines for 2022 include Ambassador Cruise Line which was launched in 2021 by the same team who ran the not defunct Cruise & Maritime Voyages and Explora Journeys which is owned by the MSC Group.
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Are Cruise Ships Safe From Sinking
Cruise ships are designed to be as safe as possible, but it is still possible for them to sink. … The sinking of these ships was a result of many different factors. The Titanic, for example, collided with an iceberg in 1912 and sunk after taking on too much water through holes or cracks in its hull.
Large Ship Line #: Cunard
For those longing for the romantic nostalgia of bygone transatlantic sailings, Cunard is your go-to. The legendary cruise line was established in 1840 and has had dozens of ships in its fleet, though today, there are just three active vessels: the Queen Mary 2, the worlds only true transatlantic ocean liner, designed specifically for ocean crossings, as well as the worlds only pet-friendly ship the Queen Elizabeth and the Queen Victoria. Activities havent changed all that much in the last 180 yearstheres still a proper afternoon tea, black-tie dinners, and galas in the ballrooms. Its quite like a step back in time, with all the modern safety measures, of course. Cunards next ship is scheduled to set sail in 2022 or 2023.
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