The Department of Health has revealed the latest plan to bring back cruising to Australian waters in Phase Four of the federal government’s systematic approach to returning life to some sort of normality.
New regulations will demand that ships have “stronger pre-arrival health assessment and screening processes, supported by enhanced pre-arrival reporting requirements” as they approach each port or destination in states and territories.
A decision on disembarkation will then be made based on the availability of medical facilities in the event of an outbreak of disease like COVID-19.
In exclusive answers to questions put by Cruise Passenger, a Health Department spokesman says: “The resumption of cruise operations and other discretionary forms of travel will be considered in the context of the international border re-opening, and will be included in the four-phase National Plan.
“The resumption of cruising will be dependent on the capacity of state and territory health systems to respond to outbreak events, and the broader epidemiological situation in Australia. Any relaxation of requirements would be dependent on expert health advice and may be amended or reinstated at any time.”
The spokesman dashed hopes that, despite a strong lobbying campaign, the government was preparing to consider a “pathway” to a staged resumption of cruising any time soon, stating: “International cruising is not being considered at this stage.”
Cruise Lines International Association Australasia has been pressing for talks on a staged resumption for months, gathering over 40,000 cruisers to write to MPs to put the matter on the government’s agenda.
That said, it is clear a lot of thinking has gone into the return of one of the most popular form of holidays to Australia which at its height, attracted 1.3 million Australians.
The Health Department spokesman told Cruise Passenger the department was working on a COVID-19 Risk Analysis and Response Task Force report, which will be made public once finalised and set the groundwork for cruise industry consultations to resume.
But the thinking is clear from this insight: “Incoming international aircraft and vessels have existing pre-arrival reporting requirements under the Biosecurity Act 2015, which includes reporting of ill travellers on board. Before the restart of international cruise operations in Australia, the Australian Government will implement a new pre-arrival reporting and risk assessment process unique to cruise vessels.
“This new process for cruise vessels will include stronger pre-arrival health assessment and screening processes, supported by enhanced pre-arrival reporting requirements.”
It is clear the fate of the resumption of cruise is also in the hands of the success of the vaccine rollout. Phase Four of the federal government’s plan relies on 80% of the population being vaccinated.
What is not clear is what happens if a state or territory health authority decides there is a risk that health facilities could be overwhelmed or might not cope with an outbreak of sickness aboard a cruise ship.
Would it be held at port, like the Diamond Princess was in Japan in 2020 at the start of the pandemic outbreak? Or would it move to a place where medical facilities are available?
The Health Department told us: “State and territory health authorities would assess the information provided and decide required actions on a case-by-case basis. Only in extreme circumstances could this potentially include redirecting a vessel to a port with greater health resources.”
Looking forward to getting back on a ship.We are booked for January 22
As avid cruisers, we look forward to a return.. However, our big concern is the vaccination of the crew. From previous articles, we gather crews get their vaccinations at their home country. Is that correct? If so, how can this process be reliably verified? Thanks for your update. Rod and Di Buchan
I think the resumption of cruising in Australia will be the last thing the government will be considering as I believe deep down they still blame it for the initial outbreak which is ridiculous as we all know it was the incompetent inaction of the NSW minister of health regarding Princess Cruises Ruby Princess.
Unfortunately that gives us nothing to look forward to.
I still have no idea when cruising is due to happen in Australia. i think south Australia is a good place to cruise from, i don’t want to travel to NSW to catch a cruise, they are not coping with covid , not following the rules. Too many people there doing their own thing. in south Australia we have hardly had any cases of covid. sheila mills
During a round the Indian Ocean Cruise in early 2020 on the Sun Princess, both my wife an I contracted Influenza A and B. WE know this as we were swabbed by the Doctor and advised that this was the result. WE were prescribed anti- biotics, Tami flu and my wife was confined to the cabin until her temperature came down. We can’t complain about the treatment we received but the bill was just over aud800, rather excessive, don’t you think
We used to have our meals in the Dining room at the same table with the same diners and a couple of them had bad colds. These diners wouldn’t go to the medical centre because of the cost. Others on board were sick as well, you could hear lots of coughing.
I feel that now with Covid 19 calling the shots, the cruise company’s will need to change their charging of medical treatment and bring charges more in to line with land based practices.
We probably won’t cruise again unless medical help is more affordable.
Maybe instead of booze packages, medical packages.
I know every business is in the game to make money but unless a lot changes are made, the cruise industry is stuffed. In signing off, I love cruising.
Regards
Rob J
If the proviso is everyone be vaccinated and a test before leaving how can covid get on board at least at the start, then you would think the only way it could get on board is at a port in the end I would not care as long as we are vaccinated otherwise what is the point of vacination
Cruising should commence with passengers proving that they have been vaccinated and show a negative test. We would accept that port visits should only be available on official tours.
Hi Tallis, I always enjoy reading articles from Cruise Passenger. I wanted to clarify how you arrived at local cruising resuming at the 4th phase of the roadmap based on the Dept of Health response. The government’s 4 phases are as follows:
Phase A: where Australia is now
Phase B: when 70% of over-16s have been vaccinated
Phase C: when 80% of over-16s have been vaccinated
Phase D: yet to be decided
The quote above refers to the resumption of cruising “will be included in the four-phase National Plan.” This is not necessarily at Phase 4 (D). Can you please confirm as my understanding is the cruise resumption is still yet to be decided and also a sensitive matter for passengers, industry and other stakeholders.
Cheers,
Dan
Would love to cruise again soon. Surely if all the staff on board and all the passengers were fully vaccinated, we could at least cruise in Australian waters.
The conditions being suggested seem very moderate and reasonable, however I’m doubtful of Australia ever getting to a 80% national vaccination rate so if reopening is dependent on that rate then I should cancel all my cruise bookings (4) now. A more attainable goal would be 100% of cruises/crew need to be vaccinated and a pre cruise COVID negative test result required. With this requirement then on board cases of COVID should be avoided and therefore no medical COVID issues should arise to endanger ports of call in Australia. Too simple for the powers to be to implement I’m afraid or are they trying to force Australians to spend their holiday savings in Australia.
I think this is code for not before the 2022-23 season