The “Great Cruise Comeback” – Norwegian claims its ships are “the safest place on earth”

Norwegian Spirit

Norwegian Cruise Line has come out swinging, announcing a series bullish comeback plans that reinforces international cruise ship operators are no longer prepared to wait for major governments to give the go-ahead to resume sailings. Norwegian plans to resume sailing in Greece, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic in July – with President & Chief Executive Officer … Read more

Video: the HBO documentary that could set back the start of cruise

Diamond Princess

The restart of cruise travel has had some heartrending mis-steps over the past few weeks. First there was New Zealand’s extraordinary ban on Ponant’s attempts to sail out of Auckland, even though it had been prearranged with special safety protocols. The bizarre reason: the immigration minister suddenly asked for more of the crew to be … Read more

The Royal Caribbean ship that has beaten COVID will be sailing from Brisbane

Royal Caribbean cancels Australian sailings but remains "hopeful" for 2021

Australians are keen to climb aboard Royal Caribbean’s ships for 2022 – including the first deployment of the technologically advanced Quantum of the Seas, the newest ship to the based in Brisbane. The line’s Australian MD Gavin Smith told Cruise Passenger  after months of safe sailings out of Singapore, Quantum of the Seas will be … Read more

Federal government needs to create national guidelines for Australian cruising

Flow Rider on Royal Caribbean

The chair of Cruise Lines International Association Australasia says the Northern Territory’s halt to a Kimberley season demonstrates the challenge while there are no federal government guidelines. Last weekend, the Territory health department revealed new rules which virtually grounded the plans of six small ship expedition lines to sail the Kimberley this season –  allowing … Read more

Coral Expeditions changes itineraries in WA to avoid NT cruise ban as anger grows

Amazing pictures from Coral Expeditions' circumnavigation of Tasmania

They have only been lightly touched by the pandemic – they have just one active case this week – but the Northern Territory government has issued orders that make cruise stops in Darwin a near impossibility. As Australia awaits news on whether or not there will be a Kimberley cruise season in Western Australia this … Read more

Royal Caribbean, Princess announce sailings – for vaccinated passengers only

Sky Princess leaves Singapore

Cruise lines are announcing new sail dates – but only for passengers who have had vaccines against COVID-19.  The moves are a sign that it is likely most lines will insist on mandatory jabs for all except those in exempt categories because of ill health or other medical reasons. Princess, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity have … Read more