FBI: Kissimmee cyber security worker recorded more than 150, including children, in cruise bathroom
A man who was employed by the city of Kissimmee as a cyber security officer secretly recorded more than 150 people, including children, using the bathroom on a seven-day cruise from Miami, according to the FBI.
CDC asks court to put Florida cruise ruling on hold after judge refuses
In a flurry of legal activity, attorneys for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have asked a federal appeals court to put on hold a U.S. district judge’s ruling that backed Florida in a fight about the cruise-ship industry.
Biden Administration takes cruise ship fight with Florida to appeals court
A battle between Florida and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about cruise-industry restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic went to an appeals court Tuesday, as federal-government attorneys also argued that a lower-court ruling should be put on hold.
2 Royal Caribbean lines to resume Caribbean cruises in June
People line up to get on a Royal Caribbean International, Adventure of the Seas, relief boat that is sailing to Ft. Lauderdale, Sept. 28, In San Juan, Puerto Rico. Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty ImagesMIAMI – Two Royal Caribbean cruises will resume in June, ending a yearlong hiatus, but passengers 18 and older must test negative for COVID-19 before getting on a ship. The company's Celebrity Cruises subsidiary said Friday that its Celebrity Millennium ship will relaunch on June 5 from St. Maarten. With the Caribbean such a popular destination, “It’s not entirely surprising to see both Celebrity and Royal Caribbean finding a way to return to the region,” said Colleen McDaniel, editor or Cruise Critic, a website that reviews cruises. Shares of Miami-based Royal Caribbean rose more than 2% Friday.
Cruise ship passengers recall deaths, confusion, quarantine
This July 2019 photo provided by Miguel Gonzalez, shows Margrit and Lucio Gonzalez with their granddaughter, Caylie Gonzalez, in Alaska. Lucio Gonzalez died of coronavirus.They put him on a ventilator for three weeks and two days, and after that he died, his widow said. (Miguel Gonzalez via AP)SAN FRANCISCO – The last vacation Margrit and Lucio Gonzalez took together began with an ominous delay: a medical emergency on the cruise ship they were set to board. One was Lucio Gonzalez, an athletic 73-year-old who had worked maintaining trails in the California Parks system for 25 years. But a few days after the trip ended, Lucio Gonzalez started feeling ill.
Norwegian Cruise Line suspends sailings through May
Norwegian Cruise Line is once again extending its suspension on sailings, this time through the end of May. Norwegian previously pushed back its return to sailing through the end of April less than a month ago. The company is also offering a 10% off coupon for those passengers if they have not already received one from a previously canceled cruise. Norwegian is also trying to figure out whether it will be able to resume any of its Alaska Cruises in 2021. Norwegian said it is “exploring several initiatives that may allow such cruises to continue” including asking the Canadian government to amend its suspension.
Canada bans cruise vessels until Feb. 28, 2022
All rights reserved)TORONTO, ONT – Canada is banning all cruise vessels in Canadian waters until Feb. 28, 2022. Transport Minister Omar Alghabra announced Thursday cruise vessels carrying 100 or more people will remain prohibited from operating in Canadian waters. Vessels carrying more than 12 people will also stay prohibited from entering Arctic coastal waters. The temporary measures were scheduled to end on February 28, 2021. Those who do not comply are subject to fines.
Carnival Cruise Line announces additional cancellations
Carnival Cruise Line on Friday announced more cancelations for the 2021 season. Earlier this month the cruise line had said it would extend its pause in operations until March 31, 2021, because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The cruise line made the announcement on Twitter and said that all U.S. departures through April 30 have been canceled. “In addition, we’ve moved the start date for Mardi Gras out of Port Canaveral to May 29, 2021,” the cruise line said. The cruise line added that those who are not able to take their trip are receiving a generous future cruise credit with an onboard credit package.
Cruise line becomes first to require passengers to get vaccine
Saga cruise line to require passengers to get vaccineUK-based Saga cruise lines is now the first cruise line in the world to require passengers to get a coronavirus vaccine in order to board. It announced passengers must be fully vaccinated, meaning they’ve received both does of the vaccine, 14 days before their departure. [TRENDING: What to know about Biden’s COVID-19 strategy | 2021 Bike Week will happen| Florida no longer releasing overdue vaccine numbers]The company is also pushing back resuming cruises from Apr. A Saga spokesman says their customers want the reassurance of the vaccine and to know others traveling with them will be vaccinated as well. The vaccine requirement comes as cruise lines struggle to resume operations, nearly a year after ceasing bookings in response to the pandemic.
GM teams up with Microsoft on driverless cars
This image provided by General Motors shows the new company logo. (General Motors via AP)DETROIT – General Motors is teaming up with Microsoft to accelerate its rollout of electric, self-driving cars. “Microsoft is a great addition to the team as we drive toward a future world of zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion,” said GM Chairman and CEO Mary Barra. It wants to be seen as a clean vehicle company, rather than a builder of cloud-spewing gas-powered pickups and SUVs. GM scrapped its old square blue logo for a lower case gm surrounded by rounded corners and an ‘m’ that looks like an electrical plug.
Royal Caribbean cancels cruises through end of April
Royal Caribbean is pushing back its plans to resume sailing. The company posted a statement on its website and social media accounts Monday announcing the suspension of sailing through April 30. Royal Caribbean is offering refunds or credits for a future cruise to customers affected by this suspension. 🔗 bit.ly/RCIOperationsUpdate Posted by Royal Caribbean International on Tuesday, January 12, 2021This comes despite the CDC lifting its no sail order at the end of October. [RELATED: Port Canaveral reports $18 million loss in budget year as cruise operations remain idled]Florida Today reports the biggest factor in the loss was the suspension of sailings.
GM's Cruise to deploy fully driverless cars in San Francisco
The move announced Wednesday by GM-owned Cruise come two months after the company received California's permission to fully driverless cars in the state. “You’re seeing fully driverless technology out of the (research and development) phase and into the beginning of the journey to being a real commercial product," Cruise CEO Dan Ammann said Wednesday. California regulators also recently approved new rules allowing ride-hailing services to pick up passengers in self-driving cars, but Cruise isn't going down that road yet. Instead, Ammann pledged the company will move cautiously while dispatching up to five fully driverless cars into parts of San Francisco initially. Ammann declined to provide a timeline when asked if Cruise planned to use its driverless cars in ride-hailing service within San Francisco next year.
Disney cancels cruises through February due to pandemic
ORLANDO, Fla. – Disney Cruise Line announced Friday that it has canceled its sailings through February due to the coronavirus pandemic. “As we continue to refine our protocols for our eventual return to service, we have decided to cancel all departures through February 28, 2021. Sailings are canceled onboard the Disney Magic through February 25; the Disney Wonder and Disney Dream through February 26; and the Disney Fantasy through February 27. Guests who have not paid their reservations in full will automatically receive a refund of what they have paid thus far. “Our team at Disney Cruise Line remains focused on the health and well-being of our guests and team members.
Norwegian Cruise Line suspends sailings through February
Norwegian Cruise Line announced Wednesday it is extending all cruise suspensions through Feb. 28, 2021, amid the coronavirus pandemic. Cruise line officials said it “continues to work through its return to service plan to meet the requirements of the Framework for Conditional Sailing Order issued by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”This latest extension by the cruise line includes all voyages between Jan. 1, 2021 and Feb. 28, 2021. Norwegian officials said this additional suspension does impact some voyages in March 2021 and all voyages on Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2021. The cruise line said in a news release, guests who are currently booked on canceled voyages should contact a travel advisor or the cruise line directly.
Port Canaveral details steps for return of cruise ships
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – Cruise ships may sail again before the year is over after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced it would let the most recent no-sail order expire. At his annual “State of the Port” address, Port Canaveral CEO and Director Capt. (Image: Port Canaveral) (WKMG)Murray expects those same ports to be the first to reopen. COVID-19's impact on Port Canaveral. (Image: Port Canaveral) (WKMG)“Basically, our cruise revenue stopped after March 14th,” Murray added.
GM to run robot cars in San Francisco without human backups
General Motors' Cruise autonomous vehicle unit says it will pull the human backup drivers from its vehicles in San Francisco by the end of the year. Cruise will go neighborhood-by-neighborhood in San Francisco and launch the driverless vehicles slowly before spreading to the entire city, he said. Progress toward autonomous vehicles slowed markedly after an Uber autonomous test SUV ran down a pedestrian in Tempe, Arizona, in 2018. Both Cruise and Waymo program their vehicles to drive more conservatively than humans, but still need to progress safely, Shladover said. He noted that Cruise will tackle easier areas in San Francisco first before venturing into more complex traffic situations.
Carnival Corp. hacked; guest and worker information accessed
MIAMI – Carnival Corp. says it was the victim of a ransomware attack that likely got some personal information about the cruise company's guests and employees. Carnival operates Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line and other lines, but the company didn't say in the filing which cruise line was affected. The SEC filing also didn't say how many people's personal information may have been accessed, and spokesman Roger Frizzell said in an email that the company wasn't releasing any information other than what was in the securities filing. Carnival says it has launched an investigation into the ransomware attack and notified law enforcement. The Miami-based company also has reinforced the security of its information systems, Carnival said.
Port Canaveral cuts 115 jobs through layoffs, furloughs, attrition
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. – Port Canaveral this week implemented a massive staff cut, largely the result of the continuing shutdown in cruise ship sailings because of the coronavirus pandemic, News 6 partner Florida Today reports. Cruise lines have been idled since mid-March. The port employees who are furloughed will remain on furlough status through Nov. 30, Linden said. Linden said, while most of the port positions cut involved layoffs or furloughs, some involved positions in which employees retired or left the port to take another job, and their jobs were not filled. Take a live look at Port Canaveral with News 6′s live port cam.
Carnival announces layoffs and furloughs as cruise industry works to stay afloat
MIAMI, Fla. – Carnival Corp. will implement layoffs, furloughs, reduced workweeks and salary reductions across the company, the Miami-based company announced Thursday. It’s the latest move in hopes of keeping the cruise industry financially afloat after it was rocked by the coronavirus pandemic, and it follows similar announcements by other lines. The report says that Carnival had about 120,000 workers worldwide before the start of the coronavirus outbreak and that furloughed employees could potentially return when cruising resumes. “Taking these extremely difficult employee actions involving our highly dedicated workforce is a very tough thing to do. Norwegian Cruise Line has furloughed 20% of its staff and has warned that it could face bankruptcy.
Coronavirus: Norwegian Cruise Line may be forced to fold
Norwegian Cruise Line is warning investors it might be forced to go out of business by the coronavirus pandemic. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings says its accounting firm has “substantial doubt” about Norwegian’s ability to continue on after the outbreak. Norwegian suspended sailings on March 14, along with an industry-wide shutdown, which has been extended through at least June 30. Several high-profile ships had multiple people test positive for the coronavirus and many of them died from COVID-19. To keep up with the latest news on the pandemic, subscribe to News 6′s coronavirus newsletter or go to ClickOrlando.com/coronavirus.
Princess Cruises halts operations over coronavirus
Carnival’s Princess Cruises announced Thursday that it is suspending all operations for two months due to concerns over the coronavirus. The announcement impacts 18 ships and will affect cruises through May 10. [CORONAVIRUS BRIEFING: Daily ClickOrlando.com newsletter delivered to your inbox]CNBC reported that Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz said the company is taking the “bold action” to reassure stakeholders of its commitment to the well-being of its passengers.
CDC forces Regal Princess to remain offshore near South Florida until 2 crew members are tested for coronavirus
As of Sunday morning, over 3,500 passengers and crew remained aboard the Grand Princess, which is floating off the coast of California. That’s because 21 people, 19 of which are crew members, tested positive for coronavirus. After receiving information about the crew members from the cruise line, the CDC made the decision to keep all passengers and crew on board, offshore, until the two employees can be tested for coronavirus. Due to that decision, the Regal Princess' planned disembarkation, which was scheduled to take place Sunday morning, would more than likely be delayed. A letter sent to passengers aboard the Regal Princess regarding two crew members, who previously served on the Grand Princess, who the CDC required be tested for COVID-19 before anyone be allowed to disembark the ship.
Cruise ship returns to Port Canaveral after Florida boy gets infection during trip
Roman Mejias’ mother, Nicole Mejias, said Roman hit his head and had a small scratch near his eye before boarding Norwegian Sun cruise ship at Port Canaveral Friday. Less than 24 hours after boarding the ship bound for Mexico, Nicole says the cut became infected and her son went into sepsis. A photo from Nicole Mejias shows her son's eye infection. (Nicole Mejias)During the cruise, Nicole said she racked up more than $13,000 in medical bills. Cook also says travel insurance is important to have to protect yourself.
6,000 passengers kept on Italy cruise ship as Wuhan coronavirus fear spreads
Six-thousand passengers were being held on a cruise ship off Italy on Thursday while doctors checked on two tourists from Hong Kong who had a fever, the Red Cross said. The pair becoming ill sparked fears they could have contracted a new virus, Italian media said. The Red Cross was on hand in case the tourists need to be transferred to the special hospital in Rome - the Lazzaro Spallanzani National Institute for Infectious Diseases. It comes as China counted 170 deaths from the new virus Thursday and more countries reported infections, including some spread locally, as foreign evacuees from China's worst-hit region returned home to medical observation and even isolation. The new virus is from the coronavirus family, which includes those that can cause the common cold as well as more serious illnesses such as SARS and MERS.
6 new cruise ships will begin sailing from Florida in 2020
ORLANDO, Fla. – Six new cruise ships will be calling Florida home in 2020. The Orlando Sentinel reports that the largest ship ever built for Carnival Cruise Line will have its debut at Port Canaveral. The Mardi Gras will have the first ever roller coaster at sea, and it will be the first cruise ship in North America to run on liquefied natural gas, a cleaner-burning fuel. Richard Branson's Virgin Voyages line will begin sailing ships from Miami in March with the debut of the adults-only Scarlet Lady. Florida also will see the debut of the new Regent Seven Seas Splendor, Celebrity Apex and Enchanted Princess ships.
Parents of toddler who fell to her death sue Royal Caribbean
The Indiana parents of a toddler who plunged through an open widow on a cruise ship in Puerto Rico have filed a lawsuit against Royal Caribbean Cruises. The parents accuse the company of negligence in Chloe Wiegand’s death by allowing a window to be opened in July. The girl’s grandfather, Salvatore Anello, has been charged in Puerto Rico with negligent homicide. Anello insists he’s colorblind and didn’t know the 11th-floor window was open. He says he believed he was lifting the girl so she could bang on the glass like at a hockey game.