Reducing the occupancy of ships once the industry is permitted to return to sailing is an integral first step toward combating the spread of COVID-19. But fewer passengers means fewer cruises fares sold. And most significantly, reduced occupancy means reduced onboard revenue from alcohol sales, casinos, gift shops, specialty restaurants and shore excursions. I have
A Cruise is “Safer than a Major City” – Co-Chair of Cruise Lines’ “Brain Trust” Sings Another Tune
Royal Caribbean Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line recently announced that they hired a panel of former public health officials to advise the cruise lines regarding how to safely return to cruise operations. Royal Caribbean CEO Richard Fain and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO Frank Del Rio announced that they created the “Healthy Sail Panel” to
Royal Caribbean CEO Richard Fain: “We’re Not Sure When We’re Coming Back” / “Our Crew Will Be Coming Home Over the Next Several Weeks”
This afternoon CNBC interviewed Royal Caribbean Richard Fain about when his cruise line will re-start operations and when his crew members will finally be repatriated. Here is a portion of the interview:
“CNBC: . . . we know that this is a challenging time. We really appreciate you spending time with us today.
63 Days Stuck at Sea: Protest Erupts on Royal Caribbean’s Majesty of the Seas
Today, crew members aboard the Majesty of the Seas protested Royal Caribbean’s latest failure to follow through with its repatriation of its crew members. Several hundred crew members congregated on the pool deck making signs protesting Royal Caribbean’s refusal to follow through with plans to send the crew members home. The repatriation 
plans have reportedly
Crew Member Found Dead on the Mariner of the Seas
A crew member employed on the Mariner of the Seas was found dead earlier today by his colleagues. He is the third crew member to have died in just the last two days, and the fourth ship employee to have died in a little over a week.
The crew member is a Chinese national according
Stuck at Sea: Cruise Employees Speak Out
Over this past weekend, several crew members on Royal Caribbean-owned cruise ships expressed their frustration at being kept from an unreasonaby long time onboard their ships. The cruise ships which they are on have not sailed for over six weeks, yet Royal Caribbean has not sent them home. There is considerable danger associated with staying
Third Crew Member from the Oasis of the Seas Dies Due to COVID-19
This morning, a crew member from the Oasis of the Seas died due to COVID-19, according to an announcement from the captain of the Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
In a short announcement broacast over the ship’s intercom, the captain stated that Carlos Baluran “passed away this morning.” Royal Caribbean contacted his family and offered them
Crew Member Goes Overboard from Jewel of the Seas
A crew member has gone overboard from the Jewel of the Seas, according to several crew members on the Royal Caribbean ship who wish to remain anonymous.
Yesterday, the captain of the ship made an announcement that after “search efforts and a thorough investigation” he was sorry to share that a crew member by the
Another Crew Member From Oasis of the Seas Dies Due to COVID19
Several crew members onboard the Oasis of the Seas informed me that another colleague, Iputu Sugiartha, from the ship died due to COVID-19 this morning (April 20th) in a hospital in Fort Lauderdale. The captain of the Royal Caribbean cruise ship made an announcement over the intercom this morning around 11:00 am. of Mr. Sugiartha’s
Crew Member From Oasis of the Seas Dies Due to COVID-19
Several crew members onboard the Oasis of the Seas tell me that one of their colleagues, Dexter Joyosa, from the ship died due to COVID-19 earlier today (April 18th) in a hospital in Fort Lauderdale. I was sent an audio recording of an announcement over the intercom by the captain of the Oasis of his