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April 15 updates: QM2 home, NSW inquiry into Ruby Princess, Disney delay, CroisiEurope houses more health workers, Fred. Olsen goes virtual

In addition to feature story coverage, here's a quick read of some of today’s other coronavirus-related cruise news and announcements.

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Helen Hutcheon, Michèle Valandinaand 2 more

April 15, 2020

2 Min Read
CRUISE Disney Magic
Disney Magic's cruises to June 7 were canceledPHOTO: DISNEY CRUISE LINE

Keep checking back. This is being continuously updated.

Queen Mary 2 home

Queen Mary 2 arrived this morning at its Southampton homeport, the last of the three Cunard vessels to go out of service, for now.

NSW premier launches Ruby Princess inquiry

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian established a special commission of inquiry into how Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess was allowed to dock in Sydney before swabs handed over to NSW Health had been tested for coronavirus.

The independent inquiry, with powers similar to a royal commission, will be headed by senior counsel barrister Bret Walker who will report back to the government within three to four months.

This follows advice given to Berejiklian that the criminal investigation under way by homicide detectives will not be completed until around September and separate coronial inquiries could take more than a year.

‘It is important that answers are provided quickly for the people of NSW,’ she said. ‘As I have said before, we will leave no stone unturned until we find out exactly what happened.’

Disney extends delay

Disney Cruise Line canceled Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy sailings through May 17 and Disney Magic sailings through June 7. Disney Magic's Europe season had been scheduled to start in mid-May. Disney Wonder's Vancouver, BC sailings were earlier canceled through June. 

Those booked on affected sailings will be offered a future cruise credit to be used within 15 months of their original sail date or a full refund.

Passengers booked on Europe sailings after June 7 through the July 25 departure can change their reservation up until the day before embarkation and receive a 100% future cruise credit. Alternatively, those booked on the July 13, July 18 and July 25 Europe sailings may delay their final payment to 30 days before sailing.

CroisiEurope offers a second vessel for medical personnel

Since the beginning of April, CroisiEurope has been housing nurses on board Botticelli, docked on the Seine in the center of Paris. Now it's doing the same in Bordeaux with Cyrano de Bergerac, which normally sails the Garonne, Dordogne and Gironde.

Based on the same scheme as in Paris, 25 cabins — to respect the public health rules — are available to doctors, nurses and caregivers. Dinner and breakfast are offered. A reduced crew comprised of volunteers provides the services.

Fred. Olsen goes virtual

Fred. Olsen's new 'Virtual Cruising' programme is streaming footage of some of the world’s most enviable sceneries. This week's schedule includes explorations of Bergen and Olden and a shipboard lecture from marine conservation charity ORCA. Highlights of the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores are to be aired next week.

A story-writing competition (up to 500 words, with a cruise theme) offers the chance to win a five-night cruise for two in 2021.

 

About the Authors

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

Michèle Valandina

French correspondent

A graduate from Lyon University, where she specialised in foreign languages and American literature, Michèle worked as an interpreter/translator (English, German and Italian) for major international events before entering the diplomatic world for a few years. As a Paris-based freelance travel and lifestyle writer, she has been a contributor to a host of publications and has long specialised in two sectors: cruising and wellness. Her features have appeared in, among others, Le Monde, Le Figaro, Le Figaro Magazine, Les Echos Week-end and periodicals dedicated to the MICE sector. She has also featured on radio and TV travel programmes and, since 1992, has been the author of the only French cruise guide, Croisières Passion.

 

Anne Kalosh

Editor, Seatrade Cruise News & Senior Associate Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review

Anne Kalosh covers global stories, reporting both breaking and in-depth news on cruising's significant people, places, ships and trends. A sought-after expert on cruising, she has moderated conferences around the world, including the high-profile State of the Industry panel at Seatrade Cruise Global. She created and led the acclaimed itinerary-planning case study for Seatrade's cruise master classes held at Cambridge and Oxford universities. She has been the cruise columnist for AFAR.com, and her freelance stories have appeared in a wide range of publications, from The New York Times to The Miami Herald.

Holly Payne

Editor Video Production and Deputy Editor

Holly is Deputy Editor, Seatrade Cruise Review & Seatrade Cruise News and has experience managing a range of highly successful international business and consumer titles. With a flair for video reporting and a history of overseas work documenting people and places of diverse cultures, Holly brings a variety of skills to the Seatrade Cruise portfolio.

Holly’s academic credentials include oral and written Arabic language skills (intermediate-advanced), an MA Multimedia Journalism with NCTJ accreditation, and a BA (Hons) Degree in Classical and Archaeological Studies with English and American Literature.

 

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