This week news from Royal Caribbean Uniworld, the CDC and Princess Cruise Lines.
Uniworld Announces Bid Upgrade Program
Uniworld Boutique River Cruises launched Category + and became the first River Cruise Line to offer this type of program. Similar to say Royal Caribbean or NCL, the passengers will be able to bid on room categories above what they are currently booked. They will be able to bid on multiple categories at a time and only be charged if the bid is accepted. Uniworld cruises the rivers of Europe and Asia and offer an All Inclusive experience. 
The Conditional Sail Order Expires
This past Saturday, January 15, the CSO issued by the CDC in 2020 expired. This makes the conditions the CDC applied to the cruise industry to be voluntary. Likely you will not see a lot of changes anytime soon but I expect some of the requirements to start easing over the summer. Princess Cruise Line did announce their requirement for proof of vaccination will be extended through September 30, 2022. Impacts
To me this shows that the CDC has confidence in how the cruise lines have handled this pandemic and proof cruising is safe. 
More Cruise Lines Extend Cancel Policies
Princess has extended their Book with Confidence program for cancellations. This program allows you to cancel your cruise up to 30 days prior to sailing and receive the cancellation penalties in Future Cruise Credit. This applies to sailings through September 30, 2022 if booked by March 2, 2022. Holland America has extended their Flexible Cancellation Policy through September 30, 2022. Guest can cancel their cruise up to 30 days prior to sailing and receive a Future Cruise Credit for the cancellation penalties. This applies to sailings through September 30, 2022 and are booked by March 31, 2022. In addition, they are moving the final payment deadlines on cruises sailing through May 31, 2022 from the normal 70-120 days to 60 days. 
Southern dining on Wonder of the Seas
In March 2022, Royal Caribbean will debut the Wonder of the Seas, the next in Oasis class ships and will be the biggest. This week they announced she will feature a southern style restaurant called The Mason Jar. It will feature live country music, cuisine like pulled pork, fried chicken and more. It will even have a front porch. The Mason Jar will be one of 20 dining venues on the brand new Wonder of the Seas. She will debut in Fort Lauderdale in March sailing the Caribbean and over the summer will sail Europe. Then in November 2022, she will begin sailing the Caribbean from Port Canaveral.
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Mike Miller
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