Cruise lines continue to return all their ships to service. Ponant's entire 12-ship fleet was operational as of May 28, 2022. On that day, Le Soleal, the last in the fleet to resume operations, sailed from Darwin on a new cruise to explore the Kimberley in Australia. In addition, today MSC Cruises announced that its entire fleet of 19 ships is back in service. MSC Musica, the last ship in the fleet to return, is now sailing to ports in Greece and Italy.
Helpful in the cruise industry's recovery is the loosening of entry requirements in many countries. For example, Italy has removed all COVID-related travel restrictions.
New ships also are creating marketplace excitement. New luxury brand, Explora Journeys, celebrated the float out of its new Explora I on May 30 during a ceremony at Fincantieri's shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The first of four luxury ships planned, Explora I is scheduled for a May 2023 delivery.
In addition, Emerald Azzurra, the first ocean luxury yacht for Emerald Cruises was christened last week in Venice, Italy. It’s cruising in the Adriatic and Mediterranean, and will reposition later this year to Doha, Qatar, and Dubai, U.A.E.
More Cruise Tidbits
In addition to cruise restarts and new ships, new destinations are on the horizon. In Alaska, a new cruise port destination will open near Klawock. Developed by Alaska native businesses Na-Dena` LLC and Klawock Heenya Corporation, this new destination is situated on a 16-acre site along the Pacific Coast side of Prince of Wales Island in southeastern Alaska.
Paul Gauguin Cruises will offer a new "Moana Explorer Program” on select cruises this summer for vacations in French Polynesia and beyond. Young cruisers ages 5 to 15 can visit a sea turtle care center, play real-life beach "Survivor," and snorkel among coral reefs.
MSC Cruises announced that the MSC World Europa, the first of the line’s “World Class” ships, will feature an enhanced MSC Yacht Club when the vessel debuts later this year.
Cruise Personnel
On the personnel front, Atlas Ocean Voyages has appointed Michael Shapiro as cruise director for World Navigator’s summer season. An actor and vocalist, Shapiro brings over 30 years of travel and tourism industry experience, 16 of which were spent as cruise director aboard small luxury ships.
Star Clippers appointed industry veteran June Muenzer as business development executive for the Northeastern region. Her territory includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont in the U.S., plus New Brunswick, Nunavut, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Quebec in Canada.
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