As some travellers head out on their first cruises in Europe, they will face many new health protocols and enhanced cleaning procedures to make their journeys safer. While vaccinations, temperature checks, social distancing and wearing of face masks may be compulsory for some cruise lines, COVID-19 has also changed the way cabins are sanitised. Cabins … Read more
Australia’s Tourism Minister Dan Tehan has promised a mid-June review of the ban on foreign flagged ships, raising hopes that the 2021 cruise season may see a sailings restart. And in even more promising news, Health Minister Greg Hunt revealed a pilot program was being assessed with the possibility of a start in six to … Read more
Australians will soon be able to cruise from New Zealand and the South Pacific after luxury French line Ponant revealed bubble sailings between November 2021 to early 2023. The push to get Australians back onboard is an ingenious idea by Ponant, as Australia is yet to lift its cruising ban. There are 14 voyages focused … Read more
The government is insisting cruise ship operators wanting to sail Australian waters must employ Australians to take on hospitality and other non-specialised jobs, despite a shortage of such staff across the country. The surprise ruling from Australian Border Force is believed to be behind the cancellation of APT’s first Caledonian Sky cruise, which was scheduled … Read more
Cruise lines in America have been thrown a lifeline after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a letter saying lines will be able to resume sailing by the mid-Northern Hemisphere summer. But one line immediately signalled that cruisers should expect the price of sailings to increase once voyages resume. The CDC said … Read more
Europe will see a flotilla of ships set sail next month from Britain and around the Med. Asia has been sailing since November. Even America is planning a July restart after health authorities approved new vaccine regulations. But Australia’s cruise executives and the Federal Government are still struggling to find a formula which will allow … Read more
One of Australia’s leading experts in communicable diseases says cruise can now return safely with new health protocols – even before the vaccine program is completed. Dr Ian Norton told Cruise Passenger: “As long as we cruise within the Australian bubble with Australian passengers, stopping at Australian ports, the risks of contracting COVID-19 virus has … Read more
They have only been lightly touched by the pandemic – they have just one active case this week – but the Northern Territory government has issued orders that make cruise stops in Darwin a near impossibility. As Australia awaits news on whether or not there will be a Kimberley cruise season in Western Australia this … Read more
Luxury cruise line Ponant announced it would be adding itineraries as well as another ship in the Kimberley for 2022. There will be 26 voyages aboard the luxurious Le Soleal and Le Laperouse on 10-night departures. “We have been simply amazed by the unrelenting demand for our 2021 Kimberley season, clearly confirming pent up local … 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.
