P&O Cruises cancels trips out of Adelaide amid concerns about industry’s start

A major Australian cruise line has cancelled its 2022 season, and is calling for more clarity about when ships can take travellers around the country again.

P&O Cruises Australia will not set sail out of Adelaide next year amid concerns about when cruising restrictions will be lifted.

The company announced it had cancelled its Adelaide homeporting season until February 2023.

Under current restrictions, cruising around Australia has been banned until at least December 17.

P&O also cancelled liners out of Fremantle and Cairns until April and May 2023 respectively, as well as cruises scheduled to call in Papua New Guinea until October next year.

P&O Cruises Australia president Sture Myrmell said the cities would remain an important call for visiting ships.

P&O Pacific Explorer

“We are naturally disappointed our guests in Adelaide, Fremantle and Cairns will be unable to cruise from their doorstep until 2023,” Mr Myrmell said.

“However, they are all extremely popular ports of call for ships on coastal or around mainland Australia itineraries and will benefit from a resumption in cruising when approved by governments.”

He said P&O has called on the state and federal governments to provide a clear pathway for cruising’s return.

“With more than 80 per cent of Australia’s adult population fully vaccinated, society is rapidly reopening and travel is progressively resuming. There is a need for governments to engage with the cruise sector on a pathway for the staged resumption of domestic cruising,” Mr Myrmell said.

Booked guests can get a cruise credit or request a refund.

International cruise ships have been banned from entering Australia since March 2020 following a COVID-19 outbreak on the Ruby Princess, leading to 600 infections and 28 deaths.