An overwhelming number of Cruise Passenger readers have said they want both crew and their fellow passengers to be vaccinated before they step aboard. Close to 90 per cent of readers said they believe vaccinations should be mandatory for everyone on their sailing and 82 per cent of people will get the vaccine once it … Read more
Luxury French expedition line Ponant has revealed a big increase in its capacity in Australia with voyages in Western Australia, South Australia, Tasmania, New South Wales and Queensland. The eight new itineraries scheduled for later this year, can be sailed back to back and will include visits to places like Dirk Hartog Island, Shark Bay … Read more
Health department officials are now working with the cruise industry to finally produce a plan for the phased restart of itineraries in Australia, Cruise Passenger can reveal. The promising start made by Australia’s only locally flagged and crewed fleet, Coral Expeditions – sailing in Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania – has led to renewed optimism … Read more
The minister in charge of Australia’s tourism portfolio has made the most encouraging remarks in a year about the return of cruise ships to Australian waters, sparking a wave of optimism among operators. Speaking with Channel Nine’s Today Show host Karl Stefanovic, Dan Tehan was asked about the number of special deals available for cruising … Read more
As the Australian industry continues to grapple with the fallout from New Zealand’s dramatic ban on Ponant’s Auckland cruises, many fear the move may have wider consequences. Industry leaders have been stepping up their attempts to persuade the federal government top lift its ban on foreign flagged ships, due to end on March 17. And … Read more
In a major blow to the return of cruise to Australasia, Ponant has been forced to pull out of its program of cruises in New Zealand, even though all cabins had already been sold. The move comes after Le Lapérouse was turned away from New Zealand despite agreements from New Zealand Health they would be … Read more
The cruise industry was in shock last night after an expected season of itineraries from New Zealand by luxury expedition line Ponant was blocked at the last minute. The New Zealand Immigration Service claims 61 of the Le Laperouse’s 90 crew don’t have visas because they are not “essential”, and has said the ship cannot … Read more
The arrival of Ponant’s Le Laperouse in Auckland next month is a beacon of hope for Australia’s cruise industry. After months of painstaking negotiations by the line’s Asia Pacific chair Sarina Bratton, the French luxury adventure small ship operator welcomed the news over Christmas that they had the green light to sail in the region. … Read more
In a major breakthrough for the region, luxury adventure cruise line Ponant has been given “conditional approval” to sail in New Zealand waters. The move follows the Cruise Lines International Australasia model of sailing only with New Zealanders in New Zealand waters. The model is under consideration by the Australian government. Ponant said in a … 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.
