Exclusive: Aussie cruisers say vaccines must be mandatory, but the lines aren’t sure

Dancers on Quantum of the Seas with masks on

An overwhelming number of Cruise Passenger readers say cruise lines should make it mandatory for both crew and guests to get vaccinated against COVID before they sail. In an exclusive survey of readers this week, 295 voted for the vaccines to be mandatory, and only 38 suggested it should be voluntary. It was a polarising … Read more

Positive COVID case on board Quantum of the Seas leaves guests stuck in staterooms

COVID positive Quantum of the Seas

With additional reporting from Rebecca Rachel Wong in Singapore Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas has to return to Singapore on day three of what should have been a four-day cruise after a positive COVID case was identified. The positive case was suspected after an 83-year-old male passenger presented to the medical staff feeling unwell … Read more

Amazing pictures: what life is like on the world’s first Royal Caribbean cruise

Amazing pictures: what life is like on the world's first Royal Caribbean cruise

The future of Australian cruise is currently being trialled by Singaporeans on board Quantum of the Seas. The ship resumed sailings from the Lion City earlier this week, and will be offering cruises to no where to local residents. Royal Caribbean’s world-first test sailings have begun on board Quantum of the Seas, which will be … Read more

Royal Caribbean cancels Australian sailings but remains “hopeful” for 2021

Quantum passengers stranded

Royal Caribbean has cancelled all Australian sailings through to April 30, 2021 as they await news of the cruise ban lifting. But despite the new bout of cancellations, the line told Cruise Passenger: “We are hopeful we can have an early 2021 Australian season in some form. “Timings and itineraries can be confirmed once an … Read more

A rollercoaster at sea, sky suites and celebrity eats: the shiny new ships sailing in 2021

Brand new cruise ships sailing in 2021

Despite a COVID-19 throwing a sledgehammer into the travel industry, ship-builders have been busier than ever, building and readying ships across the world for sailings in 2021. Whether it be a mega-ship or a tiny expedition ship, cruise lines are gearing up for 2021 to be a year of new ships and new itineraries, some … Read more

Royal Caribbean cancels 14 Australia and NZ sailings, extending pause to February 2021.

Royal Caribbean extends pause

Royal Caribbean has extended its COVID sailing pause through to the end of January 2021 in Australia and New Zealand, cancelling 14 January sailings. The extension takes the pause from December 31, 2020 to January 31, 2021 and impacts sailings on Sydney-based Ovation of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas, … Read more

Excited cruise crew are beginning their journeys back to cruise ships

cruise crew on board royal caribbean

Crew members from around the world are heading to Singapore to start sailing again. And they couldn’t be happier. Dream Cruises which will start sailing on November 6 with World Dream has already booked out its inaugural sailing. The staff, mainly from the Philippines have spent two weeks in quarantine onboard the ship. Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of … Read more