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June 12: Eastport shelters Riviera, Crystal's new Miami-San Juan cruises, CMV delays, destinations get #SafeTravels stamp

CRUISE Crystal Serenity.jpg
Crystal Serenity will operate weeklong Miami-San Juan voyages eligible for a bundle of 'Simply the Best' offers
Here's a quick read of some of today’s coronavirus-related cruise news and announcements.

Keep checking back. This is being continuously updated.

Eastport lay-up berth for Riviera

Maine's Eastport is providing its Breakwater Pier as a lay-up berth for Oceania Cruises' Riviera, starting Sunday.

The ship is a familiar visitor to Maine on regular Canada/New England itineraries, and last October sought refuge in Searsport Harbor, dropping anchor to ride out a nor’easter. 

'The port is ready to assist the maritime community during this time, and is honored to be capable of providing much-needed relief to the captain and crew as they wait for further instruction from the cruise line,' Port Director Chris Gardner said.

The crew will be complying with the governor’s executive order to quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. They also have a stay on board order from US Customs and Border Protection for the duration of their stay.

CMV delays to late August

Cruise & Maritime Voyages further extended the suspension of all worldwide cruises from July 1 to Aug. 25.

New Crystal Serenity Miami-San Juan cruises

Crystal Cruises is bringing Crystal Serenity closer to the US source market with seven-night voyages between Miami and San Juan in October and November. These can be combined for 14-night round-trips from Miami.

The new voyages offer Crystal's 'Simply the Best' program, which includes the best stateroom or suite available at the time of booking, reduced deposit of $100 per person, low solo fares from 125%, a $250 shipboard credit per stateroom or suite (based on double occupancy) and 10% cruise fare savings on the combined 14-night itinerary.

Miami to San Juan sailings embark Oct. 1, Oct. 15 and Oct. 29 and call at Cruz Bay, St. John, US Virgin Islands (maiden call); St. John’s, Antigua; Gustavia, St. Barts (overnight); and Phillipsburg, St. Maarten. San Juan to Miami cruises embark Oct. 8, Oct. 22 and Nov. 5 and call at Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Costa Maya, Mexico.

Fares start at $1,399 per person.

#SafeTravels stamp

Major destinations around the world, including a number that handle cruise ships, are signing up for the World Travel & Tourism Council's safety and hygiene stamp to enable travelers to identify destinations and businesses that have adopted designated 'Safe Travels' health and hygiene global standardized protocols. The United Nations World Tourism Organization has embraced the stamp.

Since the launch last week of the Safe Travels stamp last week, Turkey, Bulgaria, Jamaica, Mauritius, Ontario (Canada), Portugal, Saudi Arabia and the Mexican destinations of Baja California Sur, Quintana Roo and Yucatán, have adopted the protocols. Cities with the #SafeTravels stamp include Barcelona, Cancun, Madrid and Seville.

The 'Safe Travels' protocols were devised following the experience of WTTC members dealing with COVID-19 and are based on guidelines from the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.