Royal Caribbean International will step up its presence in Australia, sending three ships, including Quantum of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas to cruise in local waters in 2021-22 season. For the first time, Sydney and Brisbane will host two Quantum-class ships, with the newest and the most high-tech ship, … Read more
There is much confusion over when international lines will return and cruise in Australian seas. The Federal Government’s official ban on foreign cruise vessels entering local waters ends on 17 September. So what do the cruise lines say about when they’ll be back? Carnival Cruise Line said it will resume cruising when it is safe … Read more
Cruising YouTube superstars, Ben and David have 30 voyages under their belt. Known for their video channel, Cruise with Ben & David, the pair had dozens of upcoming cruises postponed or cancelled. But it’s not stopping them from planning their next voyage. They’ve taken us onboard Virgin Voyages’ Scarlet Lady, showed us around P&O UK’s … Read more
Royal Caribbean is facing legal suits over its shore excursion to volcanic White Island in New Zealand in December. Twenty-one people died and many were injured when the island’s volcano erupted last year. All but two were from Ovation of the Seas, and the claim is that no-one was warned of the dangers, despite increased … Read more
A 68-year-old Queensland man has died from COVID-19 after he disembarked Royal Caribbean’s Ovation of the Seas last week. According to ABC and other news outlets, Garry Kirstenfield contracted the virus aboard the ship and was in the intensive care unit in Toowoomba Hospital. He died this afternoon. Queensland Health issued a statement, saying Mr Kirstenfield … Read more
A Tasmanian man in his 80s, who was a passenger on the Ruby Princess has died today from coronavirus. Over the weekend, another passenger, an 87-year-old woman who had been infected on the ship also died. The total number of passengers who have died after disembarking from the ship now stands at 14. A number of … Read more
NSW Health officials are being blamed for failing to halt the disembarkation of Ruby Princess passengers last week, despite tests being carried out on guests, twelve of which proved positive for coronavirus. NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard is reported in The Sunday Telegraph to have said: “With the benefit of what we now know, I … Read more
The mother of a New Zealand volcano victim has not left her daughter’s bedside for more than a month after her youngest child and husband died in the White Island volcano eruption. Maria Browitt, who was cruising onboard Ovation of the Seas with her husband Paul, and daughters Krystal, 21 and Stephanie, 23, stayed onboard … Read more
The Ovation of the Seas left Sydney last night, ironically on a 10-night cruise through the Pacific and New Zealand, as it became clearer Royal Caribbean may face legal action over the tragedy on White Island. New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has said tour operators and cruise ship companies are legally responsible for the … Read more
She's the most specious ship yet from luxury line Oceania Cruises. James Sitters tells Rose Kelly and Peter Lynch what's on board the new class of ship, including restaurants, spas and suites.
