Peter Lynch 
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
Royal Caribbean – and the rest of the cruise industry – will be studying closely the extraordinary case of an elderly passenger who tested positive while at sea, then twice tested negative onshore. Singapore’s Ministry of Health said the 83-year-old Singaporean’s original sample was retested at the National Public Health Laboratory. A second fresh sample … Read more
Australian health authorities are on track to approve a vaccine ahead of schedule, which could see fully vaccinated Australian travellers by mid-year. Health Minister Greg Hunt says Australia has a five-stage vaccination rollout program, and would be making final decisions at the end of January. The government’s roll-out program means health workers and the elderly … Read more
Australia’s cruise industry has launched a campaign to press the government not to extend the ban on international vessels, which is due to end on December 17. As cruisepassenger.com.au reported three weeks ago, the industry health regimes are being studied by the Australian government. Cruise Lines International Association Australasia (CLIA), which represents cruise ship owners, … Read more
According to the government, a vaccine against COVID-19 will be with us by March, and Australians will be able to receive it for free. Qantas, the national airline, has already said passengers will need to prove they have had a vaccine before they can fly. Will it be the same for Australian cruises? Cruise Passenger … 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.
