Ruby Princess – the questions that must be answered

Ruby Princess - the questions that must be answered

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian has ordered an investigation into how the Ruby Princess came to land and disembark 2,650 passengers while tests being carried out on 13 other passengers with flu like symptoms. The vessel has now become the largest source of Australian fatalities from COVID-19 after two more died yesterday.  There are over 300 … Read more

Royal Caribbean reveals Quantum of the Seas’ Alaska 2021 sailings

Quantum of the Seas

Royal Caribbean announced it will have two Quantum class ships in Alaska from 2021. From May 2021, Quantum of the Seas will move to Seattle and offer seven-night sailings that depart every Monday. Her sister ship Ovation of the Seas will offer a similar itinerary but departing on Friday. Quantum’s summer 2021 Alaska itineraries went … Read more

Carnival Splendor crew keep their spirits up and ready for the return of cruise

Carnival cruise director Chloe Loddo

Australia’s BIG fun ship the Carnival Splendor is unusually quiet as she floats off the NSW. But Chloe Loddo, Cruise Director of Carnival Splendor and her team are all keeping busy with preparations and new ideas to debut when cruise returns. Carnival’s loyal fans have been lapping up Ms Loddo’s updates of life on board … Read more

Pacific Explorer expelled from Sydney Harbour by NSW Police

Pacific Explorer expelled from Sydney Harbour by NSW Police

New South Wales Police have ordered P&O’s Pacific Explorer to leave White Bay Cruise Terminal, her homeport, in an extraordinary move. The order elicited an immediate and strong response from Sture Myrmell, the President of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises. But the line agreed it would obey the order and Pacific Explorer was preparing … Read more

Free at last: Aussies on Zaandam and Rotterdam on their way home.

Free at last: Aussies on Zaandam and Rotterdam on their way home.

Over 130 Aussies on Holland America’s Zaandam and Rotterdam are on their way home on a chartered United Airlines flight. United says the charter will be a direct flight from San Francisco Airport to Sydney Airport and will only carry passengers from the Zaandam and the Rotterdam to prevent other passengers from potentially being exposed to coronavirus. A … Read more

Military style medical plan in NSW cruise ship standoff

Princess Ruby

An astonishing “military-style operation” is being considered to test crews for COVID-19 who are currently held off the NSW coast in a standoff between the police and cruise ships industry. According to today’s Australian newspaper, the plan involves flying doctors in helicopters onto the decks of ships and testing the 8,615 people in board. NSW … Read more

I fear for the passengers and crew on the Zaandam – HAL boss

Shunned from every port - why the Zaandam passengers are frightened and alone

After weeks in which cruise ship passengers trying to get home have been treated with astonishing inhumanity around the world, cruise line bosses are speaking out. Holland America president Orlando Ashford, whose ship the Zaandam has become the latest face of cruising with COVID-19, yesterday issued a strongly-worded emotional plea for humanity. The ship is … Read more

Royal Caribbean and sister brands extend its cancellation policies

Azamara's AzAmazing evenings Down Under

Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Silversea and Azamara announced they would be extending its Cruise with Confidence policy through to 1 September. The policy allows guests to cancel up to 48 hours prior to sailing for any reason, and guests will be able to receive a full credit for their fare, usable on any future sailing … Read more