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 readers certainly think it should. In a snap overnight poll, an overwhelming 151 say vaccines should be mandatory on cruise ships, and just 18 were against.
Tony Scicluna told us: “Yes anyone travelling as well as crew should be vaccinated. No point in asking passengers to be vaccinated if the crew aren’t. But i am hesitant to have it immediately it’s released as it is not clear if it has been thoroughly tested on elderly people.”
Mr Joyce told A Current Affair: “For international travellers, we will ask people to have a vaccination before they get on the aircraft.
“Certainly, for international visitors coming out and people leaving the country, we think that’s a necessity.”
It’s hard to think of a reason why the cruise industry, which needs to rebuild confidence among the public if it is to attract new comers, would not follow suit.
Australian Cruise Association CEO Jill Abel told ABC radio Tasmania yesterday that cruise lines were considering mandatory vaccines. She told the ABC: “I think, because cruise is a choice, it might be a sector that can roll something out and I honestly believe cruise could be one of the safest ways to holiday in the future.”
But Cruise Lines International Association Australasia maintained it was “too early” to say.
The vaccine effect is clear, however. Cruise stocks have already risen by up to 40 per cent on news of the positive results on vaccines, indicating markets believe inoculation will have a profound effect on confidence and bookings.
“This is a very positive development for the world, and, of course, our company and our brands, as well as the cruise industry” Carnival Cruise Line told US network CNBC.
Royal Caribbean’s CEO Richard Fain, called the vaccine the “ultimate weapon”.
So here’s what you need to know:
The federal government has not yet made up its mind about making vaccines mandatory for international visitors – but for Australians, mandatory jabs are unlikely.
The Australian government’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy paper includes a provision that unvaccinated travellers could be stopped at the border.
Cruise lines are already accepting that vaccine availability will be patchy by restricting visits to Pacific nations, which are likely to be behind Australia in adoption. Carnival Australia recently stated they would be focussing on Australia only itineraries.
I totally agree, no jab, to ALL persons on board crew and passengers alike.
We love and miss travelling on princess cruises, looking at next year.
Come on 2021.
Yes vaccinations are a must. I have an immune system disease so wouldn’t be able to cruise without it being a condition. To the people that won’t have vaccinations as it takes their rights away, you don’t seem to mind taking others rights away. We also have the right to cruise safely
No way. Where there is a risk, as there is with all vaccines, there must be freedom of choice. I’m happy to do quarantine to pacify the frightened people. I’m also fine to have a segregated section on the ship for staff and passengers who look after their own health and don’t wish to jeopardise that with vaccines & their adverse reactions. Hopefully cruise companies will be smart enough & caring enough to cater to all their loyal customers.
It has to be a must for all travellers, cruise and air!!!!!
As a condition of cruising I would be willing to be vaccinated simply because I love cruising. As to the effect of a vaccine well I am still waiting for the common flu to be eliminated by vaccine and they have been trying that for over 100 years and still not succeeded so a 100% effective COVID vaccine is about as likely as a snowballs chance in hell. As for the smart phone app, well in my case they better come up with the old yellow vaccination book because I do not carry a smart phone when I am on holiday so to speak.
We love cruising but will not go on another cruise unless the crew and international passengers were vaccinated against Covid. It was a tragedy what happened on the Ruby Princess
I am totally in agreement with mandatory vaccination for cruise and airline travellers simple if they wish to travel they should have the vaccine
I will be one who will not risk vaccine injury until it has been on trial for at least a year. No one really knows what long term side effects are. So I will stay at home and watch the news a bit longer.
we love cruising and have booked one for next November .
totally agree with mandatory testing prior to boarding and proof of test for covid. .
I am in agreement in what Peter Beauchamp has said.
Travel is not mandatory. If you do not wish to vaccinate then don’t travel or work on ships or airlines. I think all crew and passengers on Airlines and Cruise ships should be vaccinated and have proof of the date of vaccination by a registered provider. Any attempt to travel internationally without vaccination should be a crime with specified consequences.
I currently travel internationally several times a year.
I will not travel if vaccination is compulsory.
And for those who insist they do not wish to travel with anyone who is not vacc8nated, what are you concerned about?
If the vacc8nenworks, you have no risk.
If is doesn’t, even those who have been vaccinated, could contact and carry covit.
Yes!!! Just get on and make it mandatory. This grey fuzzy stuff: yes and no together, helps nobody let alone countries or business systems.
Yes, a 78hr prior test, compulsory certificate, completed vaccine & random temperature check. And definitely a MUST for ALL CREW. The sooner the better because I’m missing cruising so much, can’t wait
Until we have the current epidemic under control we need to have mandatory vaccination.
I would like to see compulsory fluvax too
No, considering that the vaccine manufacturers have stated that they only reduce severity of symptoms, not stop you from transmitting it. Makes absolutely no sense to make it mandatory as the only one it helps is ME and I am not in a demographic to need it.
YES YES YES
Yes I think it would be a good idea for all passengers, and crew members to have the Covid 19 vaccine because this thing seems to be taking its time to go away. It would be better for Princess Cruises to do this as it has cost them so much money to pay back their passengers. This will not deter me from cruising with them as I have booked a Xmas and New Year cruise to New Zealand from Adelaide and back to Adelaide, for 2021 and 2022 a trip to Honolulu I love cruising and will continue to do it while my health allows me.
the crew come from dozens of different countries
they would be have to be strict no short cuts!
the US is smothered in covid would’nt get on
with americans cruising.
people are cunning they go as work visa’s
like celebrities are doing here in oz
lot of movies being made here.
I definitely think all passengers & crew must have had the vaccine for ANY future cruises. I am a proud Aussie and would jump at the chance of having the jab as I am in the high risk category and would not like to (if I caught it) pass it on to anyone whatsovever.
I believe like Qantas that all peopel travelling overseas shou;d be vacinated and this goes for cruise lines as well i always get my inoculations updated if needed before travell overseas and believe that this should be mandatory
Vaccine and certificate, yes – plus regular temperature checks etc but nose swabs no !
Yes why not. Back in the 60s and 70s we had to have a yellow vaccination book with our small pox etc vaccine dates etc in it before you were allowed into other countries.
I think we are all being a bit like princesses with regards to vaccinations.