Royal Caribbean can’t confirm Australians will get Asia’s $25,000 health fee promise

Royal Caribbean can't confirm Australians will get Asia's $25,000 health fee promise

Royal Caribbean has announced the recently medically upgraded Quantum of the Seas will spend an Australia summer cruising from Brisbane after her Singapore cruises to nowhere. But a line spokesperson was unable to confirm if Australians will get the same Royal Promise of $25,000 COVID health cost cover that has been offered to Asian cruisers … Read more

We’re ready: Australia’s cruise lines prepare to start sailing with new ships and itineraries

We're ready: Australia's cruise lines prepare to start sailing with new ships and itineraries

Australian-based cruise lines have spelt out exciting new options for 2021 as the expectation of a resumption reaches new heights. Princess, Carnival, P&O and Royal Caribbean have all announced their plans for 2021, as Cruise Lines International Association Australasia launched a campaign to press the government to lift the cruise ban. Australia’s hard-pressed travel agents … Read more

Royal Caribbean and Dream try Singapore ‘seacations’ with new CruiseSafe policy

Singapore cruise centre

The Singapore Tourism Board has announced the resumption of cruises in November. Pilot itineraries will be offered by two lines that are homeported in the country − Genting Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean. To ensure the safety of passengers and crew, the pilot sailings will consist of round-trips with no ports-of-call. Sailings are only open … Read more

CLIA announces mandatory COVID-testing for ships of more than 250 guests

CLIA announces mandatory COVID-testing for ships of more than 250 guests

Passengers and crew members sailing on ships that accommodate more than 250 people will have to undergo mandatory COVID-19 testing. The Cruise Lines International Association and its member brands announced the plan this week as part of a multi-layer approach, which they hope will help the American Centers for Disease and Prevention Control, make the … Read more

Critical cruise health initiatives on trial in Europe with MSC and Costa

MSC postpones the restart of the MSC Magnifica due to cancellations

European sailings by big ship lines such as MSC and Costa are seen as critical tests for the cruise industry’s ability to handle COVID-19. Cruise lines have cited the success in Europe, where lines have been sailing for six weeks,  as a reason why American health authorities should allow cruising to resume in the US. … Read more

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises cancel all sailings in Australia and New Zealand this year

Australian fire fighters on Royal Caribbean cruises

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have cancelled all  sailings in Australia and New Zealand for the rest of the year. Both lines have suspended all cruises departing Australia and New Zealand through to 31 December 2020. The cancellation of local cruises goes beyond the Federal Government’s decision to ban all international cruise ships visiting Australian … Read more

Chinese bound Wonder of the Seas, soon to be the largest ship in the world floats out

Wonder of the Seas floats out

Royal Caribbean’s Wonder of the Seas, soon to be the world’s largest ship has floated out. The new ship which is currently now in the water at Chantiers de l’Atlantique in Saint Nazaire, France, was floated out on 5 September. She’ll now undergo an extensive fitting-out process where her interior spaces will be built and … Read more