Cruise & Ferry Review - Autumn/Winter 2020

2 1 4 “The port’s position is to wait for federal, state and cruise industry standards and expectations. With prevention protocols changing on a daily basis it’s much too early to know where we’ll be when the cruise lines are ready to set sail. Our intent is to work closely with the industry, by having protocols that support the onboard experience.” Kathy Alves, public buildings/port operations manager Port of Portland, Maine “As the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic continue to rampage around the world, cruise lines have begun taking the first tentative steps towards resuming operations in Europe. SeaDream is currently operating voyages for the domestic market from Norway, calling at a number of Cruise Europe member ports. In Germany, Tui Cruises and AIDA Cruises began three- and four-day Blue Cruises to Nowhere. The first foreign destinations could well be integrated into AIDA’s itineraries too. Hapag-Lloyd offered roundtrip sailings from Hamburg for guests from Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Hurtigruten’s decision to expand its itineraries to offer a range of British Isles sailings was met with an extremely positive response from Cruise Europe member ports, many of which provided lay-up berthing space and assistance in crew repatriation throughout the crisis. French line Compagnie du Ponant also resumed cruise operations in France, Iceland and the Arctic. Cruise Europe, along with its valued port members and associate members, is committed in its role of supporting the cruise industry in any and every way possible. We continue to remain at your service now more than ever.” Jens Skrede, managing director Cruise Europe “In Iceland we have gone from over 200,000 cruise passengers to a few thousand – and the season is short. The harbours have taken decisive measures to prevent infection and all arriving passengers are screened for Covid-19. We see changes in epidemic regulations and exemptions from screening for passengers from certain countries from screening – among those are Denmark, Germany Norway and Finland. Plans are to expand the regulation to countries where the epidemic is dwindling or dealt with in a responsible way. This year will see a record low in arrivals – both in flights and cruise. We believe that Iceland is doing well in fighting and preventing the epidemic and tourists are slowly increasing their visits – but we look to next year.” Gísli Gíslason, port director Reykjavik Port “While our current focus must be on public health during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Port of Seattle looks forward to the day when local and federal health authorities can declare the health crisis over and the cruise industry rebounds robustly in support of local jobs, area businesses, and full economic recovery. In the meantime, we will continue to work with our public health partners from the national to local level, along with our cruise stakeholders and partners to implement enhanced procedures that will ensure that our cruise terminals and facilities are safe for the community, passengers and crew, as we look to the 2021 season and beyond.” Mike McLaughlin director of cruise operations Port of Seattle COVER STORY