All government-mandated Covid restrictions for cruisers in Australia have been scrapped
Finally, Australia has caught up to the rest of the world and, (again, finally) can cruise from Australia regardless of Covid-19 vaccination status.
Cruisers departing or arriving into an Australian port (currently NSW and QLD) DO NOT need to:
• be vaccinated against Covid-19
• take nor provide a negative Covid test result prior to boarding
• wear masks during embarkation and disembarking.
This (have I already said, finally) brings Australia in line with the rest of the world. We are the last major cruise destination to ban non-vaccinated people from cruising.
I anticipated the lifting of restrictions prior to the start of the summer cruising season in Australia and I’m thrilled with the timing.
And, from the comments on my Facebook page, Aussie cruisers are in full support – and ready to cruise!
Health and safety is still the highest priority
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CLIA Australia’s Managing Director Joel Katz said that this was a welcome move and gives clarity to cruise guests ahead of the coming summer season. He reinforced that the cruise industry will still hold health and safety as its highest priority.
“The past few years have been tough for cruise lovers, but we’ve seen an incredible amount of passion from travellers as they’ve returned to sea and begun exploring the world again. The good news now is that the rules around cruising are consistent with the settings on land and for other forms of travel,” he said.
“Cruise ships have always had a big focus on health and sanitation procedures, and cruising is the only form of travel where trained medical professionals and essential medical facilities travel with you.
Covid-19 is still with us and still a part of our lives, on land and at sea, so we all need to be mindful of our health and continue following professional medical advice. But now, when we travel by sea, we can enjoy our holiday without having different requirements to other forms of travel.”
Let’s cheer for cruising
A Carnival Australia spokesperson said that all Carnival Australia brands are delighted with the response after the removal of covid protocols for their cruise guests.
"The feedback from our guests has been overwhelmingly positive.
Many families are looking forward to booking a cruise now their children can travel," the spokesperson said.
Many families are looking forward to booking a cruise now their children can travel," the spokesperson said.
Carnival Cruise Lines Australia Vice President Kara Glamore said the change brings clarity to Carnival guests.
"We are thrilled with this long-anticipated announcement, which brings and harmonises the Australian cruise sector with global standards," she said.
Cunard, whose Queen Elizabeth arrives in just under 100 days, welcomes the government’s decision to remove all Covid-related protocols.
SVP Guest Experience, P&O Cruises Australia, Peter Little said this means families from both Australia and overseas, will now be able to book their cruise holidays with confidence.
“We are delighted with this long-awaited news, which will open up options for our guests’ summer holiday plans,” he said.
Princess Cruises Senior Vice President Asia Pacific, UK + Europe, Stuart Allison, said the decision will make visiting and exploring Australia easier and more convenient for all travellers.
“This is just the news our guests wanted to hear. Our guests can relax and enjoy an effortless Princess holiday cruise exploring our country’s breathtaking landscapes,” he said.
All these cruiselines have reiterated that the health and safety of guests and crew remains a priority with prevention and control protocols to be maintained.
Cruising covid protocols are now in the past
Previously, the cruise protocols introduced in Australia in April 2022 to support the safe resumption of cruising stated that:
• all passengers aged 12 years and over needed to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to board a cruise ship departing or arriving at a port in NSW, Victoria, QLD and WA.
• mask wearing during embarkation and disembarking was mandatory
• a negative Covid test result prior to departure must be produced.
On Friday 25 August, the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) rescinded the current Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) Cruise Guidelines and issued new advice around cruising. Soon after, the states adopted the change and by Tuesday, 29 August all Australians cruise line changed their protocols, effective immediately, removing all Covid-19 restrictions.
