The Federal Government is expected to repeal Covid protocols and vaccination requirements for the upcoming wave season. Cruise Passenger first revealed the change was imminent. This comes after months of running stories on this website, sparked by our readers’ stories of hardship.
Readers said their children and grandchildren were effectively banned from cruising because those under 12 weren’t vaccinated. Now the teenagers are blocked by rules that only apply to cruise ships.
The large number of people who supported a change was a deciding factor in NSW Premier Chris Minns’ decision.
Many of Australia’s major cruise lines support the Government’s decision to remove all vaccination requirements.
Passengers, too are rejoicing, like Belinda Jade Smith
“Just in time for our already booked cruise. At least now we won’t need to go through the bull of applying for an exemption. The whole thing has been a mess with no government departments wanting to take responsibility for removing them.”
The full details of the CDNA review are yet to be announced. It is unclear what rules will remain in place around isolation and RAT tests.
Here is what the cruise lines have said about vaccination requirements:
Royal Caribbean
“This decision is a positive step towards bringing Australia’s cruise policy back in step with the rest of the community and the world,” said Gavin Smith, AUNZ VP and Managing Director for Royal Caribbean.
“As the NSW Premier said, the protocols were established to support the cruise industry restart. They were never intended to be permanent.
“We look forward to further details from governments in the coming days, and for other states to follow suit ahead of our busy summer season.”
Norwegian Cruise Line
“The announcement of the imminent removal of COVID-19 vaccination and testing requirements for cruise ship guests is the final step in bringing Australia into line with cruise protocols around the world,” said Ben Angell, Vice President and Managing Director NCL APAC.
“Since the resumption of sailing in local waters, thousands of Australians and international visitors have enjoyed setting sail once more. And whilst the health and safety of our guests will remain a priority, this is a positive step forward.
“We look forward to further updates on the timing of this next step. Particularly as we prepare for the local summer cruise season and the eagerly anticipated return of Norwegian Spirit for her second season Down Under.”
Carnival Australia
Teresa Lloyd, Chief Strategy Officer for Carnival Australia which includes Princess, P&O Australia, Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard, Holland America and Seabourn, said the decision would bring cruising more into line with current Australian community Covid settings.
“This decision removes the ongoing confusion that surrounds cruising for so many tourists. It brings us back in step with the rest of the community,” she said.
“We look forward to other states following suit.”
“We will continue to abide by our strict and robust hygiene standards on our ships. Whilst, working alongside health authorities into the future.”
Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages Chief Brand Officer Nathan Rosenberg acknowledged the leadership shown by the NSW Premier and his Government’s commitment to the Australian cruise industry.
“Although the Federal Government’s official health advice does not mandate vaccination for cruise travellers, Australia is currently the only country with remaining COVID-19 restrictions on cruising. That includes mandatory mask-wearing during the embarkation process.”
“We thank the Premier for his decision on the removal of these regulations that will finally bring Australia in line with the rest of the world. We encourage the remaining states to follow suit as soon as they can, given the high levels of interest to cruise by Australians and the contribution it makes to the economy nationally,” Rosenberg said.
Considering there is considerable scientific and statistical evidence now to support the claim vaccines DO NOT stop transmission, DO NOT stop you getting COVID and also masks DO NOT effectively prevent transmission of viruses, it is interesting how our Health Departments justify their mandates. A whole segment of the cruising market has been excluded from taking these trips for no valid reason. Have to wonder what is the motivation?
I suppose the NSW Government are to be congratulated? Really? How does it take so long to overturn a stupid requirement that no Doctor would ever agree prevents the transmission of Covid? This Government would rather consult focus groups than consult science to write policy. Guess the focus groups have changed their stance. Makes one wonder what other stupid decisions they make that have no basis in science, logic or commonsense. Utopia all over.
Seeing as the vaccine is proven to NOT STOP TRANSMISSION, why would they continue with this ridiculous rule.
Glad they are going to relax the Covid vaccination ruling, about time.
Hooray. We have resumed cruising,the first was last November. We are fully vaccinated and had all the booster shots. I tested positive for covid 3 days after returning from our last cruise. Luckily I only had a bad headache for one day. Took 3 flights to get home from Cairns using my points so may have caught covid from them as it has not been a requirement to be vaccinated for flying for quite some time. Looking forward to our next cruise next March.
Removing Australian rules regarding cruising, put in place during the first few years of Covid, may or may not see increased passenger uptake in the short or long term. Two rules that should continue are those relating to hand hygiene in food areas and to food service by relevant cruise employees instead of self service by passengers.
Having been on a cruise Nov22 and contracted covid. It was just horrific shut in our cabin for 5 days (luckily a balcony room) but the worst thing was my husband has ended up with long covid as was quite ill for over 3 months
We were all fully vaxed even our young grandchildren we were all on a family trip.
I don’t know the answer but I have just booked a new cruise to use our credit other wise we loose it…I just hope EVERYONE thinks about their fellow passengers and crew and do everything they can to not pass this bloody awful virus on
About time. Should never have been for this long.
If, fingers crossed, these mandates are lifted would it include all international cruising or only Australian domestic cruising? We’re booked to cruise to PNG in November.
Hallelujah! Took way too long for them to make these changes.
We asked 12 mths ago why they were in place when the vaccines were only stopping severe infections.
If they were there to save lives, they should have been mandated to take boosters and only in high risk people.
Boosters weren’t required meaning that people may be cruising with a vaccine that is now worthless.
This is a much needed review of the protocols and I will be so very glad to cruise with my young family again now that we are not subject to having to get our 16, 18 and 22 year Olds to take a vaccine that doesn’t have a net benefit to them, just in order to take a family holiday.
Can’t believe it has taken so long for the authorities to realise that these ongoing rules were ineffective.
Could understand them to start with. But 3 years on the world knows that the transmission goes on whether or not you mask, take vaccines or not. It’s up to the individual to make those decisions for themselves and take precautions if they don’t want to get sick.
Government should not have a role in what companies enforce in their policies, that is fascism.
If companies lost out because people were not cruising due to being afraid they might get sick, they would make their own policies to encourage consumers.
This is how Capitalism is supposed to work. Fascism is gross.