Bernadette Chua 
It’s one of the biggest maritime operations in history – repatriating thousands of crew members from cruise ships, back to home. And it has turned Manilla Bay in the Philippines into a giant Ocean ship park. Riding at anchor are the Sun Princess, Carnival Spirit, Queen Elizabeth, Sea Princess, Spectrum of the Seas, Voyagers of … Read more
It’s been a hot topic of debate among cruisers of a certain age, especially since they are one of the largest groups that take to the sea. Over the last month, a number of lines have released new health and safety protocols, which require passengers over 70 to produce letters from their doctors confirming they … Read more
MSC Cruises announced a further extension of the halting of all its cruise departures fleet-wide through to 10 July, 2020. The line is offering guests affected, a Future Cruise Credit (FCC) for 125%, of the original cruise fare paid, to a future cruise of their choice – on any ship, on any itinerary — through to … Read more
Around 1,500 passengers who filed a class action lawsuit against Scenic have scored a major victory after the High Court ruled they were all entitled to compensation for damages, distress and disappointment. Over the months of April and May 2013, thousands of passengers were affected by high flood waters, resulting in river vessels being out … Read more
Traditional British line, Cruise & Maritime Voyages revealed bookings for the European 2021 season are up by 55 per cent. The findings, which were surveyed over February and March, show that there is still a strong interest in cruising, despite the current hold on the travel and cruise industry. Cruisers are looking at longer cruises, … Read more
Cunard has announced it will be extending its suspension period, until July for the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria, and until September for the Queen Elizabeth. For the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria, the line announced it will be cancelling all sailings that were due to depart before and up to, 31 July. For the Queen Elizabeth, she was … Read more
It may be the future of cruising – smaller ships, fewer passengers and crew, and entry into lesser known ports. It could answer passengers’ concerns when they start travelling again. Evergreen Cruises, which are fondly known for their four-star deluxe river cruises, are expanding their horizons into the small yacht experience. Launching in 2021, catching … Read more
Some 49 crew members from the Ruby Princess will be flying to their home countries, bringing the ship one step closer to leaving Australian waters. NSW Police, along with NSW Health, the Australian Defence Force and Transport for NSW disembarked the crew members, one of whom tested positive for COVID-19. The crew member was taken … Read more
It’s a question on every cruiser’s lips – when will we be able to sail again? The answer appears to be October.Royal Caribbean’s Managing Director Gavin Smith has said that his vessels will be sailing in Australia by October. The line, which has Ovation of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Radiance of the Seas sailing … Read more