In top cruise news, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) loosened rules for cruise lines with foreign-flagged ships sailing from U.S. ports -- specifically those lines that have opted into the agency's voluntary health/safety compliance program.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) describes the changes as “welcome steps.” Separately, CLIA issued a public statement of condolence to the family of U.S. Congressman Don Young (R-AK) who died unexpectedly on Friday. CLIA said the cruise industry would not have had 2021's Alaska cruise season without Young’s assistance.
Good news continues on the cruise destination front with Antigua and Barbuda lifting testing requirements. In addition, quarantine and authorization are no longer needed for Jamaica travel, while Italy will begin easing COVID-19 restrictions on April 1.
Holland America Line is implementing mBark facial recognition and the VeriFLY vaccine verification program in all its home ports across the U.S., Canada and Europe.
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Princess Cruises has introduced two new home ports, San Diego, CA, in September 2022, plus Galveston, TX, starting in December 2022.
On the product side, Regent Seven Seas Cruises will debut new "Behind the Design" and "Eco Connect" shore excursion concepts in summer 2022.
Small-ship-wise, American Cruise Lines' new American Symphony was "floated out" at Chesapeake Shipbuilding in Salisbury, MD. This new riverboat will begin cruising the Mississippi River in August 2022.
Kontiki is launching explorations on two routes along coastal Ecuador. The18-passenger Wayra is slated to begin sailing later this month. Also, AmaWaterways has launched its 2022 European river cruise season