Princess extends Australian Pause until March 2022

• Princess Cruises, the world’s leading international premium cruise line, is extending its pause in cruise vacations in Australia/New Zealand to March 14, 2022, due to the uncertainty around the return of cruising in the region. As a result of the pause extension, four sailings on Coral Princess will be cancelled.

P&O Cruises Australia Extends Cruising Pause Until Mid-February 2022

• Amid continuing uncertainty about the resumption of cruising, P&O Cruises Australia today extended its voluntary pause in operations for a further month until mid-February next year.
• The pause applies to cruises scheduled to depart from 15 January, 2022 to 14 February, 2022.

Crystal Endeavor Rendezvous with Crystal Serenity in The Bahamas

• The world’s newest and most luxurious expedition vessel Crystal Endeavor rendezvoused with Crystal Serenity in a historic meet-up of Crystal ships off the coast of The Bahamas.
• Crystal Endeavor is on its inaugural sailing from Miami – a special two-day preview voyage for travel partners and members of the press – while Crystal Serenity is on the last leg of a week-long Luxury Bahamas Escape cruise that departed Miami on 18 Oct. Crystal Endeavor will depart PortMiami Monday on a nine-day cruise en route to San Juan then spend the winter season in Antarctica where it will offer a series of 11- to 19-night Remote Expedition voyages. Crystal Serenity continues her 7-night cruises in The Bahamas through 8 Nov.
• With the company’s signature song, “What a Wonderful World,” serenading guests, the new 20,200-GRT expedition yacht encircled Crystal Serenity with guests of both vessels waving enthusiastically during the meet-up as the captains saluted each other via multiple blasts of the ships’ horns.
• As the world’s newest and most luxurious expedition yacht, the 200-guest, German-engineered Crystal Endeavor offers a number of industry “firsts,” including the only expedition ship to feature a Japanese restaurant, the first expedition ship to feature a casino, the only expedition ship with a two-story glass-enclosed solarium for nature viewing, largest lead-in suites in the industry, and a staff to guest ratio of one-to-one – the highest in the industry, delivering the personal and genuine service for which Crystal is known.
• Video: https://youtu.be/9nzyIhvAqr4

 Carnival Cruise Line Christens Mardi Gras

• Carnival Cruise Line christened Mardi Gras at Port Canaveral, Florida. at a “Universe of Fun” celebration befitting of the world’s most fun cruise ship, in the first ship naming ceremony held in the U.S. since the cruise industry’s restart this summer (northern hemisphere).
• Carnival’s Chief Fun Officer Shaquille O’Neal attended the festivities and cut the ribbon of his first Big Chicken restaurant at sea that debuted on Mardi Gras when she began cruise operations on July 31.
• Miss Universe, Dominican Republic, Kimberly Jimenez served as the ship’s Godmother and officially named the ship and was joined by Miss Universe, Andrea Meza and Miss USA, Asya Branch who sang the national anthem. The event featured a “World of Nations” flag procession to highlight the diversity of the 120 nationalities of Carnival crew members, and, of course, a Mardi Gras parade with a Second Line Band.
• Godmother Jimenez blessed the ship in both English and her native Spanish and activated the traditional champagne bottle break, officially naming the ship. In a celebration of the ship’s name, a special Mardi Gras parade with Duffy, Donald and O’Neal leading it, capped off the festivities.
• Mardi Gras is the first cruise ship in the Americas to be powered by eco-friendly Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) and the first to feature a roller coaster.  The 180,000-ton ship boasts six distinct themed zones with a variety of food, beverage and entertainment options, including dining venues from Lagasse, Fieri, O’Neal and Rudi Sodamin. Mardi Gras sails weekly from Port Canaveral on alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.

Carnival Mardi Gras Gets Its Groove On And Raises Record Amount For St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

• The celebrations on the inaugural cruise for Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras continued today while at sea, as the ship’s Godmother Kimberly Jiménez, along with Miss Universe Andrea Meza and other Miss Universe titleholders, joined Cruise Director Mike Pack and Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy for the Groove for St. Jude, an onboard fundraiser for Carnival’s longtime partner, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Thanks to the generous donations of guests on board they broke the ship’s record and raised $21,600 for St. Jude.
• Mardi Gras was christened during a “Universe of Fun” celebration on Oct. 23 in Port Canaveral and has been sailing a celebratory inaugural cruise throughout the Caribbean this week.

Holland America Line’s Rotterdam Sets Sail with World-Class Floating Art Gallery Valued at Over $4.1 Million

• More than 2,500 pieces from dozens of global artists enhance the ship’s design
• Holland America Line ships have long been regarded as floating art galleries for their extensive collections of museum-quality pieces. When Rotterdam sets sail for the first time Oct. 20, 2021, guests are in for a visually rewarding journey with some of the most thought-provoking, striking and bold pieces in the fleet — including historical works and memorabilia from beloved previous sister ships.
• Rotterdam’s art collection is valued at more than $4.1 million and was curated by Oslo-based YSA Design and London-based ArtLink, who collaborated with acclaimed hospitality design atelier Tihany Design. The result is a museum at sea with 2,645 pieces of diverse works ranging in value from $500 to $620,000 that spans the decks, public rooms and staterooms.
• More than 37 nationalities are represented by Rotterdam’s artists, with the greatest number of contributors coming from the Netherlands, United States and United Kingdom. Artists also hail from Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Italy, Republic of Korea, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and Ukraine.
• Many of the pieces focus on entertainment, showcasing themes of music, dance and movement, weaving the ship’s narrative of a “new sound of cruising” into the art. The works are in many media, including photography, painting, mixed media, illustration, prints and sculpture.
• Holland America Line History Finds a Home on Rotterdam
  • Holland America Line’s newest Rotterdam is the seventh ship in the fleet to bear the name, and some previous works of art from Rotterdam VI, which left the company in 2020, have found a new home on the newbuild. Eight historical paintings are now on Rotterdam, including depictions of Rotterdam I, Rotterdam II, Rotterdam III, Rotterdam IV and Rotterdam V. The ship also hosts three previous Rotterdam ship models, and the bell from Rotterdam VI can be found in the Crow’s Nest.
• Fun Facts, Figures and Highlights About Rotterdam’s Art Collection:
  • The largest and most expensive piece is “Harps,” a 7.5-ton stainless steel sculpture in the Atrium that spans three decks. With dynamic color-changing spot lighting and a mirrored ceiling, the work is a striking focal point on board. “Harps” was produced and designed by ArtLink, based on a concept by Tihany Design. It is valued at $620,000.
  • The smallest works are by Betty Pepper, who uses reworked books and adds intricate details and scenes made from old maps. They can be seen in the forward stairwell between decks 7 and 8. The exquisitely small elements are a testament to Pepper’s ability to work at a scale that few artists can master.
  • Each of the stairwells has a theme that reaches from top to bottom. The theme of the forward stairs is architecture, midship stairs is music and aft stairs is zoology.
  • The oldest artist is Baron Wolman (deceased), born in 1937. The U.S. native was the chief photographer for Rolling Stone magazine from 1967 until late 1970. He was ranked among the 20th century’s elite and most collectible photographers.
  • The youngest artist is Leva Berlande. The 31-year-old rising artist is a student from Latvia and has a painting featured in the Neptune Lounge.
  • As with Rudi’s Sel de Mer on Nieuw Statendam, Master Chef Rudi Sodamin’s son and emerging artist Magnus Sodamin created a visually stimulating mural that adorns the wall in his father’s namesake specialty restaurant on Rotterdam. Called “Oceans Feast,” the work measures 23 feet long and 3.6 feet tall.
  • Italian artist Federico Picci contributes conversation starters that tie in magically with the ship’s design. His photographs capture how music would look if we could not only listen to it but see it, too. In one image, balloons float out of a piano, representing the evanescence of something that evaporates in the air as it is created, like the element of sound.
  • One of the most striking and expensive pieces is a dazzling, illuminated crystal “Key” (treble clef) created by Dutch artist Hans van Bentem for Deck 3, midship. The piece is valued at $27,000.
  • Considered among the most avant-garde pieces in the collection is a fiberglass sculpture of an otter in the aft stairwell lobby on Deck 9 by Spanish artist Okuda San Miguel. San Miguel is known for his distinctive style of colorful geometric patterns that portray animals, skulls, religious iconography and human figures.
  • In the embarkation area is a work titled “Billie Holiday” by Ani Abakumova. It is made up of 3 miles of threads — 8,000 threads in total. Abakumova’s husband is a mathematician who developed an algorithm that enables her to create images from threads that change color without using paint.
  • One of the most valuable works is a mixed media on canvas piece in the forward stairwell lobby on Deck 8 by Mehdi Ghadyanloo, an Iranian artist, painter and muralist known for his gigantic trompe l’oeil–style murals. Ghadyanloo recently had solo exhibitions in Almine Rech’s galleries in Paris and Brussels, and now Holland America Line guests can enjoy his captivating art.
  • Yongsun Jang, from Republic of Korea, welds cross sections of stainless-steel pipes to configure clusters of “cells,” then puts it all together to represent different organic beings. For Rotterdam, he created cello and pan flute sculptures for the B.B. King’s Blues Club/Lincoln Center Stage space.
  • The vibrant work of Lisa Krannichfield is on display in the Club Orange specialty restaurant. Her pieces meld the border between masculine and feminine and explore what it means to be fashionable and make a statement.
  •  The art aboard Rotterdam comprises one of the finest collections at sea. Guests can admire the decks inside and out and discover inspired works from a global assembly of emerging artists who share the spaces alongside some of the most renowned talent in the world.

Cunard announces new itineraries on Queen Elizabeth for 2022

• Cunard has announced that a series of new itineraries sailing on Queen Elizabeth between February and May 2022 will go on sale in November.  All sailings will depart from Southampton and will include a voyage in search of the Northern Lights, journeys to the Canary Islands and the Western Mediterranean as well as a grand voyage across the Atlantic Ocean, through the Panama Canal and on to Vancouver, Canada.
• The new itineraries will replace the existing published schedule.   Cunard continues to work very closely with authorities in all the destinations visited to ensure compliance with local health and entry requirements.  Unfortunately, based on the most recent advice for cruise guests, and given the complexities of many of the international destinations involved, it will not be viable to maintain Queen Elizabeth’s existing schedule and all departures from 20 February to 17 May 2022 inclusive are now cancelled. 

Ponant pioneers safety regulations in the polar regions

• Ponant, the world leader of luxury expeditions, and an expert in navigation in polar regions for over two decades, recently organised the world’s first international rescue exercise in a remote polar zone. During a trial voyage to the North Pole with its polar exploration vessel, Le Commandant Charcot, the company raised the bar again for maritime safety and standards in polar tourism. 
• The one-off on-site scenario was live coordinated between Russia, Greenland, Iceland, Canada, the United States and Norway, as well as the PONANT teams aboard and PONANT’s head office in Marseille, France. The exercise took place over a 24-hour period on the ice, during which the 67 participants had to set up a polar survival camp among other tasks. American and Canadian coastguards, as well as Norwegian Arctic rescue experts were also present as observers.
• The objectives of the simulated rescue exercise were to optimise the coordination between the region’s international rescue centres and conduct medical research and behavioural studies on participants to understand the impact of spending long periods of time on the ice. Conclusions are being shared with polar environment experts and will help the expedition cruise industry and rescue centres across the world to not only devise new safety strategies, but also improve their knowledge about the impacts of such a crisis situation.
• For Ponant, the exercise was also an ideal opportunity to test all the rescue and safety equipment, particularly the Ice Cube, the group survival kit, the floating polar shelters and the survival suits. Developed and designed from scratch by Ponant, they currently exceed the existing safety criteria established by the tourism industry as well as the military. 
• With the tools developed by Ponant and the organisation of such a large-scale exercise, the company continues to set new standards of safety at sea, as well as pioneering new ways of exploration.

Ponant opens Kimberley 2023 Season!

• Ponant has released sales for the highly anticipated 2023 Kimberley Expedition season for one of the company’s most popular expeditions for both adventure and beauty. 
• Offering multiple departures between April and October 2023, the enormously popular 10-night ‘Australia’s Iconic Kimberley’ itinerary journeys between Broome and Darwin showcasing the wild and grandiose landscapes of the Kimberley on board Ponant’s Le Lapérouse or Le Soléal, both of which will be sailing throughout the season. 
• Highlights on the itinerary include visiting the Hunter River inhabited estuarine crocodiles; discovering the King George River on a Zodiac® excursion and reaching the majestic Twin Falls, the highest in Western Australia; and a visit to Collier Bay to explore Montgomery reef. Sailing along one of the most spectacular coasts in Australia, the Kimberley’s falls, savannah, and tidal phenomena promise never to disappoint.
• Environmentally friendly, fitted with state-of-the-art equipment and complete with lounges designed to be largely open to the exterior, Ponant’s modern, purpose-built, intimately sized ships offer a unique sailing experience, offering unparalleled comfort and luxury for exploring the region. Le Soléal provides 95% balcony accommodation while Le Lapérouse offers a balcony or private deck area for all accommodation. Both offer a selection of world-class dining options, open bar*, a spa and an outdoor swimming pool.
• Both purpose-built ships offer the perfect base camp to relax after spending days on immersive expedition experiences on Zodiac® outings and shore excursions with PONANT’s knowledgeable expedition team.

Paul Gauguin Cruises opens sales for 2023 small luxury itineraries

• Paul Gauguin Cruises has launched sales of its 2023 small-ship sailings. Sun, turquoise seas, idyllic beaches and scenery await. Six itineraries crafted by Paul Gauguin Cruises’ destination experts offer a chance to explore the wonders of the South Pacific and beyond aboard newly renovated luxury small vessel Le Paul Gauguin.
• Paul Gauguin Cruises, the South Pacific specialists, has devised six idyllic itineraries, from 7 to 16 nights, to explore Tahiti, the Society Islands, and the Marquesas, Tuamotus, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Fiji Islands.
• Swimming, diving, kayaking, paddle-boarding and snorkelling are just some of the activities on offer to enjoy to the full these picture postcard landscapes. Aboard, impeccable service and fine cuisine take inspiration from the Polynesian lifestyle. Combining this with privileged moments such as a traditional Polynesian barbecue on private islet, Motu Mahana, off the protected Taha’s Island, completes a voyage to this far-flung paradise.
• With 166 staterooms and suites, Le Paul Gauguin was designed to sail in Polynesian waters, her shallow draught allows her to get in close to shallow lagoons. In the heart of paradisical islands and the atolls of French Polynesia and its neighbouring archipelagos, the vessel invites guests to discover the traditional way of life and customs of Polynesia and the South Pacific.
  • NEW ITINERARY: From Fiji to Bali
    • Departing from Lautoka in Fiji, this exceptional voyage takes you on a journey of discovery to seven countries in the South Seas including Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia, East Timor and Indonesia in the quest for idyllic surroundings.
    • “From Fiji to Bali” cruise – from Lautoka to Bali (or vice versa) – 17 days, 16 nights – 2 sailings in 2023
  • Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands
    • White sandy beaches, coral atolls and turquoise lagoons line the route of this stunning itinerary to explore four beautiful archipelagos of the South Pacific. Discover nature and culture among dreamy French Polynesian atolls, the Cook Islands, Tonga and Fiji.
    • “Fiji, Tonga, Cook & Society Islands” cruise – from Papeete to Lautoka (or vice versa) – 15 days, 14 nights or 13 days, 12 nights – 2 sailings in 2023
  • Tahiti & the Society Islands
    • Embark on Le Paul Gauguin for an unforgettable tour of the beautiful Society Islands which inspired so many artists like Henri Matisse, Paul Gauguin and Jacques Brel. From Papeete, guests will sail to isolated coves on Huahine, the turquoise waters of Motu Mahana, fabulous lagoons in Bora Bora and the lush vegetation on Moorea – an itinerary planned to offer the very essence of French Polynesia.
    • “Tahiti & the Society Islands” cruise – from Papeete to Papeete – 8 days, 7 nights – 14 sailings in 2023
  • Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society Islands
  • Dive into Polynesian history and culture on this cruise into the heart of idyllic atolls surrounded by coral reefs. This itinerary takes guests on a voyage to discover French Polynesia’s natural treasures: Tahiti, Fakarava’s coral ellipse, the Tuamotus, Fatu Hiva and its sacred “tohua” sites, Hiva Oa, “Garden of the Marquesas”, Bora Bora and many other South Pacific pearls.
  • “Marquesas, The Tuamotus & Society Islands” cruise – from Papeete to Papeete – 15 days, 14 nights – 6 sailings in 2023
• Available now from all good CLIA cruise specialists.

Norwegian Bliss returns to the Mexican Riviera

• Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), the innovator in global cruise travel continues its Great Cruise Comeback across the globe with the restart of its seventh vessel, Norwegian Bliss, sailing week-long voyages to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles.
• Norwegian Bliss, one of the most successful ships ever launched in the company’s 54-year history will be the Brand’s second vessel sailing from the West Coast of USA following the celebrated restart of her sister ship Norwegian Encore, which resumed voyages to Alaska from Seattle in August 2021. On Sunday 24 October 2021, Norwegian Bliss’ crew members welcomed eager and excited guests as they embarked to sail the majestic Mexican Riviera while looking forward to enjoying unforgettable onboard experiences including world-class fare across its 19 dining options, 20 bars and lounges, a two-level racetrack with the Bliss Speedway and Broadway-caliber entertainment including “Six: The Musical,” which premiered onboard Norwegian Breakaway before hitting the stage on Broadway in March 2020.
• Norwegian Bliss will sail from the Los Angeles World Cruise Centre, offering week-long voyages and five-day sailings to the Mexican Riviera, visiting marquee Mexican ports including Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlán, and Ensenada, Mexico. On 21 January 2022 she will embark on a 14-day journey crossing the Panama Canal and making port calls to notable destinations including Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera), Costa Rica; and Cartagena, Colombia before making her way to the cruise capital of the world, Miami.

MSC Cruises invites artists to design the hull art of MSC Euribia

• MSC Cruises is giving artists and designers around the world the opportunity to transform the hull of MSC Euribia into a giant, floating canvas to communicate the importance of respect for the environment. The ship, which is the most environmentally advanced ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet to date, is named after the ancient goddess Eurybia who harnessed the winds, weather and constellations to master the seas and the vision of the ship is to master the deployment of state-of-the-art sustainable technologies to protect and preserve the precious marine ecosystem. 
• MSC Cruises is calling on artists from around the world to create a unique artwork inspired by the sea and its important marine ecosystem that will be featured as a permanent design across the ship’s hull, as she sails the world’s oceans. The design contest, which is now open, is a first for MSC Cruises and shines a light on the Company’s ongoing commitment to the environment and its commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) by 2050.
• The entries will be judged by a panel of international judges including sand artist Jben, known for his large-scale ephemeral sand frescoes that wash away with the tide, architect Martin Francis and Pierfrancesco Vago, Executive Chairman of the Cruise Division of MSC Group. Jben has travelled the world sculpting Beach Art in the United States, France, Morocco, Holland and Portugal, raising awareness of sea-related environmental issues, encouraging marine protection and preservation. 
• Only one winner will be lucky enough for their artwork to be showcased on the ship’s hull, as a sailing outdoor gallery for the world to see. Five further shortlist finalists will also have their designs displayed in an exhibition on board MSC Euribia, where guests will be exposed to their art and its important message for years to come.
• MSC Cruises has also shared a video [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m8nWPhH4bRY] of artist Jben calling on other artists to join him. On 19 October, he created an immense 45 metre x 45 metre fresco on French beach the Côte Sauvage, telling designers ‘MSC wants you’ and calling on them to join the competition.
• MSC Euribia will come into service in 2023 and become the second LNG-powered ship in MSC Cruises’ fleet, marking another step forward in substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. LNG plays a key role in the journey towards climate change mitigation and MSC Euribia’s engines have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 21% compared to standard fuels while also virtually eliminating other air emissions.
• https://www.talenthouse.com/i/Create-a-design-for-the-hull-of-MSC-Euribia-cruise-ship

Dream Cruises collaborates with Tourism Western Australia

• Dream Cruises has partnered with Tourism Western Australia (TWA) in Singapore to feature the ‘Western Australia Adventure Awaits’ showpiece on World Dream, as part of the ship’s ‘Markets of the World’ thematic cruises from Singapore until 6 November 2021. With current international travel restrictions, Dream Cruises brings the world and its popular cuisine and cultural activities aboard World Dream to provide Singapore residents with the ultimate ‘Super Seacation’ cruise experience without leaving the waters around Singapore.
• Since July 2020, Dream Cruises was the first cruise line in the world to resume safe cruises with stringent and enhanced safety and preventive measures, starting with Taiwan and subsequently in Singapore in November 2020, followed by Hong Kong in July 2021. Since then, Dream Cruises had launched a series of successful global thematic cruises with the likes of “Rhythm of Korea”, “Amazing Thailand”, “Wonders of Japan” and currently “Markets of the World” with a special highlight of the “Western Australia Adventure Awaits” showpiece.
• Dream Cruises brings unique Western Australia adventures on board World Dream with 10 Western Australia Balcony Staterooms specifically re-created and inspired by Western Australia’s iconic landmarks such as the Blue Boat House, Busselton Jetty, Bungle Bungle Range, Hutt Lagoon at Pink Lake and Wave Rock. Guests staying in these cabins are in for a real Aussie treat and will be delighted with the extra goodies, which include a Quinton the Quokka plush toy, Western Australia exclusive merchandise and a special on board lunch or dinner set menu paired with Australian Wine for 2 persons at the Prime Steakhouse & Seafood Grill Restaurant by Australian renowned chef, Mark Best.
• Guests can further elevate their “Down Under” experience on the ship with a variety of curated adventures and activities inspired by what Australia has to offer, complemented by delicious Australian delicacies. The month of October is also Lobster mania month with a Western Australia lobster and prawn pasta linguini cooking show, as well as Western Australia Lobster menus that are available at specialty restaurants for selected sailings.
• Besides that, Dream Cruises together with TWA has also put together a series of fun-filled on board activities for guests to maximise their Australian adventure on the ship. Be sure to visit the interactive and pop up booth packed with insta-worthy opportunities and don’t miss the special appearance of Quinton the Quokka, the World’s happiest animal on board for a meet and greet session. Fans of the adorable animal can also stand a chance to take home a Quokka soft toy and other exciting prizes by joining the exciting on board activities, including the ‘Western Australia Amazing Race’ game and the ‘Western Australia Trivia Wall’. For the ultimate prize and Australian vacation, World Dream guests can also stand a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip* to Western Australia by entering the on board photo contest, available exclusively on World Dream.

Royal Caribbean Group Announces “Destination Net Zero”

• Royal Caribbean Group announced a giant step on its sustainability journey: Destination Net Zero, a comprehensive decarbonization strategy that includes pledging to establish Science-Based Targets (SBT) and achieving net zero emissions by 2050.
• Royal Caribbean Group’s Destination Net Zero builds on decades of progress and a deep sense of responsibility to embed sustainability throughout the organization.
• Over 18 to 24 months, the cruise company will develop goals to be validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), the first such pledge for the cruise industry. The work will begin following the publication of SBTi’s marine transport methodology. Science-based targets show companies how much, and how quickly, they need to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to help limit global warming.
• Along the journey to net zero, key milestones will be critical to making progress. One of the most ambitious milestones includes the delivery of a net zero cruise ship by 2035. To achieve these ambitions, the company will rely on strong partnerships with governments, suppliers and shipyards to develop alternative and accessible fuels and technology.
• The company’s focus on achieving these measurable goals builds on its track record of designing and operating some of the most energy efficient ships on the seas. Thanks to optimized hull design and system upgrades such as AC chillers utilizing 30-40% less energy, Royal Caribbean Group has consistently delivered a new generation of ships 20-25% more efficient than their predecessors.
• From Silversea Cruises’ ‘Project Evolution’ – the cruise industry’s first hybrid-powered ship set to debut summer 2023 – to the wind farm in Kansas that will offset up to 12% of our scope 1 and 2 emissions per year, Royal Caribbean Group is already executing on its Destination Net Zero strategy to drive the development of emissions-reducing technology and alternative fuel solutions.
• “Royal Caribbean Group has a history of innovating in every aspect and level of the company,” said William K. Reilly, chairman, Royal Caribbean Group’s board of directors’ safety, environment, and health committee. “This is another important step on the serious and ambitious path to preserve the health and allure of the sea and the beauty of the oceans.”
• Destination Net Zero’s four-pronged approach includes:
  • Modernization of our global brands fleet through the introduction of 13 new energy-efficient and alternatively fueled vessels, including its recently announced ‘Project Evolution’ — the industry’s first ship to remove all local emissions while at port.
  • Continued investment in energy efficiency programs for its fleet, including energy saving technologies, enhanced data systems and digitalization.
  • Development of alternative fuel and alternative power solutions.
  • Optimized deployment and integration of strategic shore-based supply chains.

Pandaw closes after 26 years of pioneering river cruises.

• Pandaw regrets to announce that due to the continuing Covid 19 impact on international leisure travel, the closure of its destinations in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, and India, and the critical political situation in Myanmar, the company has no alternative but to cease its river cruise operations due to the lack of financial liquidity and failure to find additional funding in the wake of the Covid 19 crisis.
• Though forward bookings for a restart in 2022 remained strong, with great support from the ever-loyal Pandaw community, the company lacks the funding to continue layup operations of their seventeen ships for another year, and then undergo essential refurbishment to prepare for renewed operations, the timing of which is highly uncertain, even assuming this may occur for the winter 2022/23 season.
• The company has worked tirelessly over the past year to find new investors or other forms of finance to carry the company through, but without success.
• Founded in 1995, Pandaw pioneered river expeditions in Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and India with its iconic boutique ships. Up till the impact of Covid, Pandaw had enjoyed the support of a loyal following of travellers, high occupancy and year on year growing revenues, with positive financial results.
• Despite the closure of Pandaw Cruises, the Pandaw Charity, which has done much to support people in Myanmar during the on-going crisis there, will continue its work under the guidance of its trustees.