NYCruiseInfo Blog

Beautiful Beaches of the Bahamas Closed to United States Citizens to Contain Coronavirus The Bahamas has temporarily banned all United States Citizens from vacationing at the island nation. The ban, depending on how long it is enforced, could impact cruises from New York and New Jersey. These cruises frequently called at Nassau, Freeport and private islands in the Bahamas  on 7 day winter cruises. Here is the details of the current ban. "Our current situation demands decisive action if we are to avoid being overrun and being defeated by this virus," Minnis said in his address, noting that the Bahamas has confirmed 15 new cases for a total of 153 cases. 49 of the cases had been identified since the Bahamas reopened its borders on July 1.  Sea vessels carrying commercial passengers will also not be permitted to enter. However, private international flights, charters and yachts from all countries will be allowed.  National airline Bahamasair will en...

Meyer Werft Shipyard Turku Finland Expecting layoff due to cruise lines impacted by the coronavirus. The Meyer Werft Turku Finland shipyard  has initiated talks to lay off up to 450 of its roughly 2,000 employees. The shipyard, which relies heavily on the construction of cruise ships.has seen a slow-down in construction as cruise lines have requested extended delivery dates for ships currently under construction.  The cruise industry was hit very had by the sudden shutdown of operations and is more focused on having exiting ships return to service rather than add additional capacity. Many cruise lines are in negotiations to delay / slow down / eliminate the construction of new ships due to the coronavirus pandemic.   The shipyard, which is on the west coast of Finland, had initially started talks over temporary layoffs, but said the market situation had now forced it to look for permanent cuts.  “These negotiations will include the permanent layoff of 45...

Where is the Norwegian Bliss?  The Ships are continuously moving. 3/22/20 - Although originally reported to be laid up temporarily in Norfolk, the Norwegian Bliss headed from New York directly to Nassau and then on to Miami where she is with the Norwegian Encore, Carnival Pride, MSC Armonia, MSC Seaside, MSC Divina, Explorer of the Seas, Sirena and Scarlett Lady (docked at the container terminal). MSC Mergavilla is anchored off shore. The Norwegian  Bliss will most likely move to a new destination to make room for the next ship. In general, the cruise lines have been alternating ships in ports to give crew an opportunity to go ashore and too take on supplies. The ships are continually moved and refueled.  Onboard plumbing, lighting and air-conditioning is exercised. Idle ships deteriorate more quickly so the cruise lines are keeping them moving. RETURN TO NYCRUISEINFO.com   ---------------------------------------   Sister Sites => NYCruiseInf...

Grand Lucaya Resort Today Will Be Transformed into a Resort and Shore Excursion for Cruises Calling at Freeport in the Bahamas. Royal Caribbean's new joint venture, Holistica Destinations, announced on 3/2/2020 a $300 million investment in Freeport, Grand Bahama that will redevelop the Freeport cruise ship terminal to bring a new world-class destination with a one-of-a-kind hotel, convention center, water adventure park and more. The new project will span two locations including the enhancement and expansion of the port terminal, to be called Harbour Village, and the Lucaya Property, which will be situated at the current Grand Lucayan resort. The first phase of the Lucaya Property will be a world-class beachfront destination with a 526-room hotel, shopping village, spa and wellness center, water-based family entertainment including a massive water and adventure theme park, a 40,000-square-foot convention center, adventure activities such as zip lines and off-roa...

Coronavirus Prevention for Cruise Ship Passengers.   Most people are concerned about traveling and the corona virus. The Center for Disease Control has released the following information to help reduce your chances of contracting the Coronavirus, Norovirus and the flu. There is currently no vaccine to prevent 2019-nCoV infection. The best way to prevent infection is to avoid being exposed to this virus. However, as a reminder, CDC always recommends everyday preventive actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, including: Avoid close contact with people who are sick. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands. Stay home when you are sick. Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash. Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe. Follow CDC’s recommendations for using facemask. CDC does not recommend that people who are well wear f...

Celebrity Summit - Sails from New York to New England & Canada  and/or Bermuda Sunday was a busy morning in the port of New York and New Jersey with three cruise ships, 2 military ships and 3 container ships arriving in the wee hours of the morning. The Norwegian Escape arrived from a week long sailing to Bermuda, Her arrival time was about 4:30 AM at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. Arriving at the Brooklyn Cruise Terminal at around 6:00 AM was Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2 returning from a New England, Canada Cruise. Finally the Celebrity Summit was slightly delayed with her arrival at Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal,  Bayonne, New Jersey - pulling along side around 7:15 AM. The ship was arriving from a 7 Day Cruise to Bermuda. The Celebrity Summit was delayed due to the arrival of the USNS Watkins which was being eased into the dry-dock at the Bayonne Drydock and Repair facility located at the end of the Cape Liberty Peninsular. The delay was short while the massi...

Hurtigruten's MS Fram Entering New York City. - Copyright Hurtigruten. Exploration, small ship cruise line Hurtigruten's MS Fram arrived in New York this past week. The MS Fram departed New York on Monday 4/22/19 and embarked on a 11 Day New England Canada cruise. The MS Fram is expected to call at the port of Yarmouth, NS Canada, Halifax, NS Canada, Louisbourg NS, Canada, St Lawrence Seaway cruising, Bonaventure Island, Quebec, Canada, Baie-Comeau, Quebec, Canada, Saguenay, Quebec, Canada and Quebec City, Quebec Canada where the cruise ends. The MS Fram is certified to operate in the Arctic and Antarctic and in the thickest ice. The ship offers zodiac rafts where guides take passengers off of the ship to explore the coastline and/or come ashore. The entertainment tends to be educational. The MS Fram  offers a Scandinavian feel and Northern European Specialty foods. The MS Fram will depart from Quebec on May 2, 2019 and operate a similar itinerary in reverse ending in...