Peter Lynch 
Two major lines have reported record demand for cruises, despite the continuing pause in itineraries. Luxury line Regent Seven Seas claimed “the largest booking day” since the company’s launch for the 2022-2023 Voyage Collection, unveiled last week. The record-breaking booking day beat the previous high set two years ago by 40%. Among top sellers were … Read more
Australian-based cruise lines have spelt out exciting new options for 2021 as the expectation of a resumption reaches new heights. Princess, Carnival, P&O and Royal Caribbean have all announced their plans for 2021, as Cruise Lines International Association Australasia launched a campaign to press the government to lift the cruise ban. Australia’s hard-pressed travel agents … Read more
A heartrending year-long case in which an 18-month-old baby girl dropped to her death from the 11th floor of a Royal Caribbean ship has ended with her grandfather admitting negligent homicide. Chloe Wiegand fell from the Freedom of the Seas in July, last year, sparking a fierce debate over safety. Her grandfather and parents claimed … Read more
Cairns-based Coral Expeditions this week became the first to set sail since the coronavirus cruise ban seven months ago. The Australian flagged, Australian crewed Coral Discoverer, with 46 excited passengers and 20 crew, sailed out from Cairns on Wednesday on the first of a new series of seven-night voyages to visit remote islands and reefs … Read more
P&O Australia has announced it has found a new buyer for the Pacific Aria, and the vessel will leave the fleet as early as next month. The announcement means P&O will have an almost completely refreshed fleet once cruising resumes, with only the flagship Pacific Explorer remaining. Pacific Dawn’s departure has already been announced – … Read more
Over 80 per cent of Australia’s cruise passengers believe cruise lines should be responsible for the costs of testing for COVID-19 and for treatment on board, an exclusive Cruise Passenger survey has revealed. Only just under 5 per cent of 600 passengers who answered our survey question thought passengers themselves should pay for the tests and treatment. … Read more
More than 110 cruises carrying 55,000-plus passengers have already sailed successfully in Europe, spreading hope to other destinations like Australia that it is now safe to begin cruising. “These sailings give us confidence that we are on the right course,” says Cruise Lines International Association President and CEO Kelly Craighead says. Cruise lines have now pledged to 100 … Read more
The battle to start cruising has begun in earnest today, with the major lines – backed by teams of eminent medical specialists – putting forward fresh plans to convince governments around the world that it’s safe to allow them to sail. Major companies are facing enormous losses as over 300 ships ride at anchor, so … Read more
The world’s biggest cruise ship operators are this week presenting plans to safeguard passengers from the global pandemic in a bid to persuade the powerful US Centers for disease Control and Prevention to let them sail again. The Healthy Sail Panel, a group of globally recognised medical and scientific experts assembled by Royal Caribbean 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.
