Many ships sailing in our region are scrambling to decide their next steps as Australia and New Zealand close their ports to international cruise ships.

The Celebrity Solstice which was on a 10-night New Zealand cruise was able to complete her itinerary as scheduled, according to the line. She was able to call at Dunedin on March 15 and cruise the New Zealand Fjords the day after as per her itinerary.

The ship is however skipping her Eden port call to return to Sydney one day earlier than scheduled, on March 19.

Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas also cut short her 11-night ‘South Pacific and New Zealand’ cruise, returning to Sydney this afternoon instead of her scheduled return on March 23.

The ship had to miss New Zealand ports like Bay of Islands and Auckland at the start of the itinerary. With the shortened sailing, passengers on board would have remained on board the entire sailing.

The Voyager and Spectrum are all returning to Sydney on their scheduled dates.

The Voyager of the Seas which is on a South Pacific cruise has been at sea for many days after a number of South Pacific ports turned away the ship. The ship arrived in Sydney this morning as per schedule.

The line’s third and final complimentary First Responders ‘Thank You’ cruise for Australian volunteers on Spectrum of the Seas has returned to Sydney yesterday March 17 as scheduled.

There are also a number of Princess Cruises ships like the Sun, Ruby, Sea, Golden and Pacific Princess cruising in our region affected by the latest regulations. We are awaiting updates from the line regarding future arrangements.