Australia’s cruise ban has been extended till April 17 after Health Minister Greg Hunt revealed he would be extending the country’s pandemic emergency measures.
This will include the human biosecurity period banning international cruise ships from sailing Down Under until April 17.
While cruises that were scheduled for the first half of 2022 have been canned, cruisers have been advised to book their sailings for the October wave season.
But those who are looking to sail overseas, cruisers are heading overseas to Europe and the Caribbean.
Despite National Cabinet meeting yesterday and putting out a statement suggesting the states would at last be able to move, it is believed the time will be used to allow New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland to work out a plan for a cruise resumption.
Prime Minister Scott said: “National Cabinet discussed the resumption of cruises in Australia, noting that there are shared responsibilities for the resumption of cruises between the Commonwealth, states and territories. National Cabinet agreed that, following a decision by the Commonwealth to lift the bio-security orders that currently prevent cruise ships from coming to Australia, states and the Northern Territory would then determine when recommencement of cruises would occur in each jurisdiction.”
The cruise lines that will be most affected by the ban are P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Cruise Lines Australia, the country’s local brands that sail Down Under, year-round.
In a devastating blow for Aussie cruisers, Carnival announced it would be it would be redeploying the Carnival Spirit to Florida after spending a decade in Australia and the South Pacific region. She will not return until June 5, 2023.
The vessel was to have been sailing from Brisbane’s new cruise terminal as a drawcard to turn Queensland into a major new cruising hub. The news was greeted with dismay.
The Carnival Splendor will be repositioned to America and will not returning until June 10, 2022.
Carnival Cruise Line said in its statement it would resume operations in Australia when government officials can provide clarity.
The company statement said: “Carnival Cruise Line is notifying guests and travel advisors of changes to its fleet deployment plan as it continues to implement its successful restart of guest operations in the U.S and adjusts for the continued uncertainty of cruising in Australia with operations still on pause.
“Carnival Spirit will move to Jacksonville to take over the March 7, 2022, restart in Jacksonville, operating the previously scheduled Carnival Ecstasy itineraries. Carnival is cancelling planned operations of Carnival Splendor from June 10, 2022, through September 26, 2022, and of Carnival Spirit from June 5, 2022, to October 5, 2023.
“Carnival is now announcing the following updates: Australia: Carnival is cancelling planned operations of Carnival Splendor from June 10, 2022, through September 26, 2022, and of Carnival Spirit from June 5, 2022, to October 5, 2023.
“Details for a two-ship return to Australia will be announced when they are confirmed.”
P&O and Carnival Cruise Line have been forced to cancel over 15 sailings, between April 23 and May 28.
Cruisers are hopeful to see a near normal wave season by October 2022.
