This Week in Cruise: New Itineraries, Biofuel Test, Canada Decision

Interest in international cruising continues to build, as Americans are eager to travel abroad. For example, MMGY Global’s latest "Portrait of American International Travelers" study, presented in collaboration with USTOA, revealed that high-income, outbound U.S. travelers intend to take an average of 3.8 international vacations in the next 12 months, up 72 percent from 2.2 in 2019.

In addition, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reported strong demand for cruise vacations, up from 2019 levels.

Paul Gauguin Cruises unveiled its 2024 South Pacific itineraries for the Paul Gauguin. Seven itineraries including two new ones will explore Tahiti, French Polynesia, Fiji and beyond. New are the seven-night “More Society Islands & Tahiti” itinerary including Raiatea and a 14-night “Islands of the Marquesas & Tuamotus” voyage; the latter offers maiden calls at Hatiheu and Hakahau in the Marquesas Islands

On the river side, Uniworld Boutique Cruises will also launch four new 2023 itineraries, including a new eight-day “Belgian Holiday Markets” itinerary that will showcase Belgium’s Christmas markets and holiday treats. Most notably, a 46-night “Rivers of the World” cruise will depart on May 20, 2023, taking guests to nine countries in Europe and Egypt aboard five luxury ships.

Today, Transport Canada ended all its COVID-19 restrictions, which should be a relief to the thousands of cruise guests arriving in Canadian cities such as Vancouver or Quebec to embark their cruise ship. 

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On the environmental front, Holland America Line completed the cruise industry's first multi-week test of biofuels on Volendam at Rotterdam, Netherlands. Conducted in partnership with GoodFuels and Wartsila, the 20-day test showed positive results in cutting CO2 emissions.

Celestyal Cruises has scrapped its COVID-19 protocols effective March 2, 2022, unless required by local regulations. The line also beefed up its North American sales team by appointing Jon Grutzner as vice president, business development, North America, and Michelle Suker as business development manager, southeastern U.S. 

This month, sister publication Luxury Travel Advisor covered what's new with luxury cruising in the Galapagos Islands of Ecuador.

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