Peter Lynch 
The new strains of COVID 19 have forced the Australian government to extend the international travel ban until June – but talks over the resumption of cruising are continuing, according to a statement tonight from the Department of Health. The statement means our borders have been shut for 15 months. Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt … Read more
Australian owned expedition operator Aurora is moving a ship to Australian waters for the first time, and has announced an extraordinary line up of itineraries. The Greg Mortimer will lead a program of fresh sailings in Australian waters, starting from June 2021, in a first for the company, The itineraries will include off-the-beaten-track voyages around … Read more
Scenic is in talks with state governments over advanced plans to bring Scenic Eclipse to operate a 2021 domestic Australian season, it has been revealed. The news means six small ship adventure lines are now planning to sail Australian itineraries this year – with Kimberley being on everyone’s list. A Scenic spokesperson said talks with … Read more
She had her farewell cruises on sale in Australia only last year. Now her line, CMV, is no more thanks to the pandemic and the Astoria, the world’s oldest cruise ship, is being auctioned tonight for a heft and probably optimistic $12 million. The insolvency administrator of Portuscale Cruises will attempt to auction the 73-year-old … Read more
APT is talking to three state governments to get their luxury adventure small ship Caledonian Sky into the Kimberley for the April season. APT’s managing director Chris Hall has told Cruise Passenger he is “quietly positive” about talks with the state governments regarding restarting small-ship cruising in Australia. Mr Hall, one of Australia’s most respected … Read more
Viking, owners of the world’s largest river cruise fleet, has launched a bold bid to re-stimulate the Australian market with a bumper brochure featuring two year’s of sailings for the first time. Australians are among the world’s top river cruisers, and before the pandemic pause more than 200,000 headed off to the beautiful waterways of … Read more
Health department officials are now working with the cruise industry to finally produce a plan for the phased restart of itineraries in Australia, Cruise Passenger can reveal. The promising start made by Australia’s only locally flagged and crewed fleet, Coral Expeditions – sailing in Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania – has led to renewed optimism … Read more
The minister in charge of Australia’s tourism portfolio has made the most encouraging remarks in a year about the return of cruise ships to Australian waters, sparking a wave of optimism among operators. Speaking with Channel Nine’s Today Show host Karl Stefanovic, Dan Tehan was asked about the number of special deals available for cruising … Read more
As the Australian industry continues to grapple with the fallout from New Zealand’s dramatic ban on Ponant’s Auckland cruises, many fear the move may have wider consequences. Industry leaders have been stepping up their attempts to persuade the federal government top lift its ban on foreign flagged ships, due to end on March 17. And … Read more
She's the most specious ship yet from luxury line Oceania Cruises. James Sitters tells Rose Kelly and Peter Lynch what's on board the new class of ship, including restaurants, spas and suites.
