All posts by Robert De Pasquale

ransomware

Carnival Corp Hit by Ransomware Attack

Posted: September 23, 2022

Health & Safety, Press Release, , ,

Just when the cruise industry didn’t think 2020 could get any worse, turns out — it did. Recently British-American cruise operator Carnival Corp detected a ransomware attack according to an SEC filing.

Chief financial officer for Carnival, David Bernstein, told the SEC that the company has suffered from an attack that involved “certain” data files being downloaded. The company has been given the green light along with cybersecurity firms to fix the situation.

The SEC filing says that on Aug.15, the company “detected a ransomware attack that accessed and encrypted a portion of one brand’s information technology systems. The unauthorised access also included the download of certain of our data files.”

The attackers downloaded “certain” data files, which Carnival expects to include the “unauthorised access to personal data of guests and employees, which may result in potential claims from guests, employees, shareholders, or regulatory agencies.”

While initial investigation suggests the intrusion was limited to one brand, “there can be no assurance” other Carnival brands’ IT systems “will not be adversely affected,” according to the filing.

While the investigation is ongoing with legal counsel, law enforcement and incident response individuals, the company “does not believe the incident will have a material impact on its business, operations or financial result,” according to the filing.

In fact, Carnival doesn’t expect any significant monetary loss. However, intruders might have unlawfully accessed and encrypted customer and employee records (the type of information has yet to be disclosed).

Carnival Corp could face serious fines for their employee data if the ransomware’s attack is concluded as negligent or a result of insufficient security. When asked for a response, a spokesperson for Carnival Corporation declined to comment.

Alongside other cruise companies around the world, Carnival has struggled with the coronavirus pandemic, as dozens of people on Carnival cruises in April passed away as a result of a coronavirus outbreak on board, and more than 1500 people were affected by the virus.

Carnival Corp’s cruise portfolio includes Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia and UK), Seabourn, Costa Cruises, AIDA Cruises and Cunard.

 

 

small ships

Are Small Ships the Future of Cruising?

Posted: August 28, 2022

Onboard Features, Press Release

Size does matter when it comes to cruising. And as COVID-19 has (temporarily) swept away our dreams of sailing the world on big and extravagant cruise vessels, people are now looking to small ships to fulfil their wanderlust needs. As the majority of larger ships lay docked in ports worldwide, smaller ships are proving safer options being pandemic-proof, eco-friendly and limiting the risk of a virus break out.

It’s no secret that the cruise industry has been shaken to its core by the impact of COVID-19, and with large cruise ships lying remote in harbours around the world — most ships won’t set sail till 2021. With an 85 per cent drop in revenue in the cruise industry, big cruise ship companies like Carnival and Cunard have delayed their restart once again, with the hope to set sail in October, as well as the delayed launch of the largest cruise ship in the world, Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas.

With new health and safety regulations, larger cruise ships are finding it harder to make the appropriate changes to dining facilities (seating, spacing), air ventilation and re-working boarding procedures for passengers and crew at various ports. Not to mention implementing mandatory face masks for all guests and staff, social distancing on board and self-service-buffets more than likely become a thing of the past. There’s also high risk if the Coronavirus breaks out onboard that all passengers would be forced into quarantine. 

All these factors combined contribute to the need for travellers to consider safer (and smaller) travel options for cruising amidst a global pandemic.

Smaller Cruise Ships

The solution to the revival of the cruise industry may be found in smaller cruise ships. 

Smaller ships are not only more convenient in getting to different places, they’re also a safer option for passengers during the pandemic. Not to mention, they’re also environmentally friendly compared to larger cruise ships. 

Managing director of Mundy Cruising, Edwina Lonsdale, said that 90% of cruise-bookings in the last have been for ships with less than 1000 passengers, and for river cruises, people prefer boats carrying less than 150 people. Swiss cruise liner Viking Cruises is busy building a ship for 80 people, Swan Hellenic will begin cruising a ship for just 150 passengers, having stopped in 2017, and UK travel company Emerald Waterways is commencing building a boat with just 50 cabins.

Chief marketing officer for Windstar Cruises Betsy O’Rourke, believes that people are making the transition from other ‘big ship’ brands to smaller boats. Known for visiting smaller ports and hidden harbours around the world, Windstar Cruises is a small fleet of six luxury yachts that carry 150 to 340 guests. Meeting the health and safety regulations, Windstar plans to set sail in October with 50% capacity, al-fresco dining and BBQ’s on deck. 

Crystal Clean+

Crystal Cruises Health and Safety Protocol - Crystal Clean+

Posted: August 27, 2022

Health & Safety, Onboard Features, Press Release,

In light of the impact COVID-19 has had on the travel industry, cruise companies alike are doing their bit to introduce safer vessels to make (healthier) travelling accessible during a global pandemic. Crystal Cruises  has followed suit, announcing last week the expansion of it’s Crystal Clean+ safety and health protocols to the sister ships of Crystal River Cruises.

Built upon previous health and safety standards put in place, the Crystal Clean+ 2.0 Protocols have been implemented “using the latest data from health experts to meet the unique challenges posed by COVID-19” the announcement said. Complying with all local regulations set by European cities and states the vessels visit, the expanded protocols include enhancing cleaning procedures, social distancing, health monitoring for passengers and crew, facial covering requirements, and more.

“We are looking forward with great anticipation to welcoming our guests back aboard and are working to ensure their wellness and peace of mind when that day comes,” said Walter Littlejohn, senior vice president, and managing director of Crystal River Cruises.

“Crystal Clean+ is an extension of the exceptional standards to which Crystal has always adhered, augmented with the best scientific data and expert guidance currently available.”

The protocols affect each aspect of the cruising process. Guests will now check-in online and complete a health questionnaire. Before boarding temperature checks will be undertaken for all passengers and crew, and each location of the vessel will be monitored for social distancing. Cleaning procedures of rooms and facilities will be rigorous and frequent.

Masks will also be provided to all guests and crew and will comply with all destination health authorities, which may require wearing masks. As for dining experiences, self-service (buffets) will be eliminated, and guest’s seating will ensure the spacing and social distancing. As for air ventilation, Crystal River ships will now feature HEPA filters, which remove 99.95% of airborne pathogens, and thorough filter checks will help maintain the highest standard of air quality.

Crystal Clean+ will be put into effect on all of Crystal’s river fleet along the Danube, Rhine, Main, and Moselle rivers in 2021. Crystal has paused operations through the end of 2020.

Recently named World’s Best River Cruise Line by the readers of Travel + Leisure, Crystal River cruises are some of the most spacious river ships made. The fleet is the industry’s first and only all-balcony, all-suite, butler-serviced ships in Europe.

Northern Hemisphere

High-Stakes Test as Northern Hemisphere Cruises Begin

Posted: August 21, 2022

Countries, Press Release

Slow and steady wins the race, or so we would hope. While the rest of the world (including Australia) await the resumption of international and domestic cruises, August heralded the start of a soft launch of the Northern Hemisphere cruise season.

With stricter safety protocols and new health regulations, how did the first cruise ships control the still-lingering threat of coronavirus aboard its ships? Err, not very well, apparently.

One of the first to restart cruising was Norwegian-based Hurtigruten’s MS Roald Amundsen. Two sailings from the northern Norwegian city of Tromso to the Arctic Archipelago of Svalbard took place on July 14 and July 17.

The ship was forced earlier this month to suspend its newly restarted service after at least 41 staff and passengers were infected with COVID-19, and 400 passengers from the two cruises have gone into quarantine.

“This is a serious situation for everyone who is affected. We have not been good enough and we have made mistakes. On behalf of everyone at Hurtigruten, I am sorry for what has happened,” said Daniel Skjeldam, chief executive.

In another blow for the cruise industry, a guest onboard luxury ship Paul Gaugin has tested positive for COVID-19 just four days into the first sailing, the French Polynesia cruise has now returned to its home-base of Papeete.


The MSC Grandiosa represents a high-stakes test for the global cruise sector

All 332 passengers and crew are now isolated in cabins onboard the ship awaiting test results.

A traveller who sailed on SeaDream I has also tested positive for COVID-19 upon returning home to Denmark. All guests and crew are now in quarantine on board. UnCruise in America has also reported cases onboard.

The first major cruise ships to resume tours of the Mediterranean since the coronavirus pandemic hit Europe set sail on Sunday from the Italian city of Genoa. The MSC Grandiosa represents a high-stakes test for the global cruise sector. There have been no reports of COVID-19 as yet.

Even though the first cruise restarts did not succeed entirely on the COVID-19 front - these restarts will now help the industry improve their health and safety protocols even further, assisting scientists and cruise companies to understand how to continue to refine all of the preventative and protective measures.

From experience, comes knowledge. And with cruise restarts these past couple of weeks, the cruise industry is able to grasp a better understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on board.

Regular Crew Testing

The first being that all crew members must be tested repeatedly. Crew members from Carnival Corporation’s AIDA returned to their home countries in late July, as the proposed August 1 cruise date was again delayed.

Even though all crew members were tested within a two-week period, the company insisted crew members to be tested again. Ten crew members tested positive, even though their previous test results two weeks ago were negative.

Rapid Response Tests

One of the issues with COVID-19 is that people can be completely asymptomatic and spread the virus. Most of the passengers on UnCruise and Paul Gaugin had no symptoms at all.


One of the issues with COVID-19 is that people can be completely asymptomatic and spread the virus

Rapid response tests would provide quick results to get cruising up and running before there is a possible vaccine. This will not only prevent passengers boarding with the coronavirus that are asymptomatic, but also identify any cases of COVID-19 before passengers are already onboard and eliminate the spread.

Stricter Health and Safety Policies

As of June 11, 3,047 people were infected with coronavirus and 73 people died aboard 48 cruise ships affiliated with trade group Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), according to Johns Hopkins University data provided by CLIA.

Health authorities say close living and working spaces for crew, along with partially enclosed environments, contributed to greater risk of infection on cruises than other venues.

Cruise companies need to implement stricter health and safety policies, not only to protect passengers and crew, but to abide by new maritime health regulations.

Some of the policies put into place include social distancing onboard, tour leaders in personal protective equipment at ports, restricted capacity in theatres and drinking venues, eliminating buffet and the most important - rapid response swab tests at each terminal.

Inquiry into Ruby Princess

Inquiry into Ruby Princess finds NSW Health Made a Serious Mistake

Posted:

Australia, Health & Safety, Press Release,

From the delay in sending swabs for COVID-19 testing to assessing the cruise ship at ‘low risk’, NSW Health made a number of serious mistakes in its handling of the Ruby Princess.

As what became one of the biggest causes of coronavirus infections in NSW, with 28 deaths and over 800 cases, a scathing 320-page report into the Ruby Princess cruise finds ‘inexcusable’ failures made by NSW Health

The 320-page report by high-profile barrister Bret Walker, from the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess was handed to the Berejiklian government, with a number of criticisms of NSW Health.

In his report, Mr Walker said NSW Health should have ensured that cruise ships were aware of the change to the definition of a “suspected” case for COVID-19 made nine days before the Ruby Princess docked in Sydney on March 19. The report also found that all passengers onboard should have been tested for COVID-19.

“This would have resulted in the identification of such cases on the Ruby Princess. 101 persons fell within the suspect case definition by 18 March, and 120 by the time the ship docked,” the report says.

“NSW Health should also have ensured that such persons were isolated in cabins. These were serious mistakes by NSW Health.” The report also said the failure of the collection of swabs by an onboard health assessment team “was a serious failure by NSW Health.” “Those swabs should have been tested immediately.”


The 320-page report by high-profile barrister Bret Walker, from the Special Commission of Inquiry into the Ruby Princess was handed to the Berejiklian government

“The delay in obtaining test results for the swabs taken from the Ruby Princess on the morning of 19 March is inexcusable,” the report reads.

In light of all the information the Expert Panel had, the decision to assess the risk as ‘low risk’ – meaning, in effect, ‘do nothing’ – is as inexplicable as it is unjustifiable,” the report reads. “It was a serious mistake.”

Although, despite concerns of a coronavirus outbreak on board, around 2700 passengers were allowed to disembark and continue their travels both domestically and internationally. The report found that the decision to allow these passengers to get off the ship did not comply with the Public Health Order.

The report linked more than 900 COVID-19 cases and 28 deaths to the Ruby Princess, it also found that 16 percent of the crew contracted the virus, while almost 40 per cent of Australian passengers were infected onboard.

“The mistakes made by NSW Health public health physicians were not made here because they failed to treat the threat of COVID-19 seriously,” Mr Walker said.

“They were not made because they were disorganised or did not have proper processes in place. Put simply, despite the best efforts of all, some serious mistakes were made.”

Princess Cruises Statement

After the report was released, Princess Cruises issued a statement welcoming the inquiry’s findings and expressed its “profound sorrow at the impact COVID-19 has had on Ruby Princess’s guests, crew and their families”.

It noted Mr Walker’s finding that none of the company’s staff deliberately misled health or port authorities as the Ruby Princess arrived in Sydney.

“Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected, particularly those who lost loved ones,” the company’s president Jan Swartz said in a statement.

The Commission’s report confirms that none of our people — the Captain, the ship’s doctor, or members of our shore side port agency team — misled public authorities involved in Ruby Princess being permitted to disembark guests on March 19.


Princess Cruises President Jan Swartz said our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected, particularly those who lost loved ones, the company's

“This finding is of great importance to us because it goes to the integrity of our people. “In our more than 20 years in Australia, we have always sought to cooperate honestly and professionally with officials in accordance with the regulatory environment.”  We acknowledge the Commission’s specific comments about Carnival and we will consider these comments to the fullest possible extent.

“Princess Cruises also welcomes the Commission’s attention to improving information sharing and coordination among government agencies in the future. “In our submission to the inquiry, we agreed that this area deserved consideration. “We look forward to collaborating with government agencies and industry peers to improve these systems.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian stated, “In the public interest and for full transparency I am releasing it (the report) immediately. “I have just received the report. I will read it over the weekend and respond early next week.”

Read the full report here