Peter Lynch 
In a surprise move, the Royal Caribbean Group has announced it is selling premium small-ship brand Azamara to a private equity firm for a reported US$201 million. The deal looks like a snip considering it is anticipated more passengers are expected to switch to smaller ships once sailings begin. However, the three-ship fleet is around … Read more
Chief medical officer Brendan Murphy sparked a furious debate this week after he maintained it was unlikely international borders would reopen in 2021. If his prediction is correct, Australians will continue to holiday at home and overseas tourists will be banned – costing the economy billions and hundreds or even thousands of jobs. In a … Read more
Princess Cruises has cancelled cruising around the world until May 14 as cruise lines grapple with the complexities of a return to sailing set by the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) The company has already paused operations in Australia and New Zealand until May 31. “We appreciate the patience from our loyal … Read more
A year ago this month, Viking announced it was entering the fast-expanding adventure cruise market. The line had already conquered river cruising with the world’s largest fleet. And ocean cruises, too, had quickly fallen for it’s “No kids, no casinos” marketing position as the cruise line for the “thinking person”. Today, after a year which … Read more
P&O Australia has extended its sailings pause until after April 25, but is sticking to its Aussie schedule. Pacific Adventure, a new vessel to the P&O fleet, is currently scheduled to begin sailing from Sydney on 30 April, 2021. And another newbie, Pacific Encounter, is due to call Brisbane home from May 7. And a … Read more
In a major breakthrough for the region, luxury adventure cruise line Ponant has been given “conditional approval” to sail in New Zealand waters. The move follows the Cruise Lines International Australasia model of sailing only with New Zealanders in New Zealand waters. The model is under consideration by the Australian government. Ponant said in a … Read more
Cruise lines are taking legal advice over the possibilities of enforcing a vaccinated-only passenger policy. And some have already announced tough new regulations about who they will allow to board their ships. Cunard, for instance, has issued an “Emergency Notification” to guests with pre-existing conditions saying guests who need supplementary oxygen, kidney dialysis or a … Read more
It’s almost the end of the year we’d rather forget. Thanks for staying with us through thick and thin. Cruise Passenger remains one of the biggest travel sites in the region, with an audience of almost 500,000. We’re humbled by the responses we’ve received to our surveys, the comments on our stories and the fact … Read more
The Federal Government announced that it would be extending the cruise ban for an additional three months this week. But the cruise industry took heart from what else the usually taciturn announcement said. Health Minister Greg Hunt has confirmed it is “working closely with state and territory agencies and the cruise industry to develop a … 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.
