Carnival Australia offers ships as hospitals during coronavirus pandemic

Carnival Australia offers ships as hospitals during coronavirus pandemic

Australian patients displaced from hospitals because of the coronavirus pandemic may be treated in cruise ship sick bays and recover on board, if an offer from Carnival Corporation is taken up. The world’s largest cruise line, with ten brands, has made the offer globally, including the US and Australia, according to a statement issued today. … Read more

Miracle: How the cruise industry got almost 90,000 passengers home

Sky Princess leaves Singapore

In the history of seismic maritime events, the past week will be remembered as one of the biggest. Even the Spanish Armada pales beside these numbers. Yet it was handled with hardly any fuss and few complaints. You may be forgiven for hardly noticing… When the order went out to “pause” cruising last weekend, some … Read more

Australia and New Zealand cancel cruise calls as Aussie lines stop sailings

Cruising Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, New Zealand

Australia has banned international cruise ships for 30 days, while the New Zealand government has banned cruise vessels from its territorial waters for more than three months in a weekend of tough moves to halt the global coronavirus pandemic. Australia’s move came Sunday after a cabinet meeting which also agreed all international travellers to Australia … Read more

P&O and Carnival halt cruising for 30 days – P&O offers 200% refund to passengers

Pacific Explorer

P&O Cruises Australia has today followed a long list of lines in pausing its cruise itineraries for 30 days “following advice from the country’s public officials that mass gatherings should be limited to no more than 500 people”. Says the line in a statement: “The 30-day pause takes effect from today until P&O’s planned resumption … Read more

Royal Caribbean halts all Australian cruises for 30 days

Radiance of the Seas in Sydney after the NZ Government cancelled cruises

Royal Caribbean has halted sailings in Australia and worldwide for 30 days due to COVID-19 concerns. The line had announced the voluntary halt in America on Friday but said it would continue sailings in Australia until the end of its current season. But this morning, Royal Caribbean put out a further statement saying: “We understand … Read more

Video: lunch with Luke aboard Pacific Explorer

Luke Mangan interview

The ship has had a multi-million-dollar refresh. And so has the menu of its most famous chef – Luke Mangan. P&O’s Pacific Explorer returned to Sydney this week boasting a new-look Luke Mangan restaurant serving perennial signature dishes kingfish sashimi, liquorice parfait and more. But the sashimi has a new zesty lime taste, making it … Read more

Here’s why cruise ships will be back despite coronavirus

Here's why cruise ships will be back despite coronavirus

By Peter Lynch, Editor-in-Chief, Cruise Passenger This week saw three extraordinary examples of courageous corporate leadership from cruise companies. First, Royal Caribbean’s Richard Fain produced a passionate, no-holds-barred video in which he spelt out why cruise ships would be back. You can see him at work here – and watch till the end, he has … Read more

Cruise lines hit back after DFAT issues warning on coronavirus disruptions

diamond-princess-yokohama

Cruise lines expressed disappointment today after Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs issued a warning that disruptions caused by closed ports and changed itineraries stemming from fears of coronavirus made foreign cruising a risk. The department suggest Australians with underlying health concerns may want to reconsider taking foreign cruising. Carnival Australia, which sails year-round in Australia … Read more