What you can expect from a COVID-safe voyage with first cruise in SA waters in almost a year

Cruising has returned to South Australian waters for the first time in almost a year. Here’s what you can expect from a COVID-safe voyage.

Cruising has made a triumphant return to South Australian waters for the first time in almost a year, with the Coral Adventurer successfully completing a 10-night voyage under strict COVID-safe conditions.

The landmark cruise is a boost for the industry grounded by the pandemic and haunted by the Ruby Princess debacle.

The 120-guest expedition ship sailed in local waters with just 40 passengers to help with social distancing. It left Outer Harbor on February 10 for calls at remote islands including Troubridge, Flinders, Reevesby and Wedge, two calls to Kangaroo Island, as well as Coffin Bay, Tumby Bay, Cape Donington and Memory Cove before returning yesterday.

Queensland-based Coral Expeditions line has run 12 cruises in the Great Barrier Reef and Tasmania since October after developing its own SailSAFE plan to combat COVID-19 risks.

It also had an SA Health-approved COVID management plan and guests had to follow strict rules to ensure safety.

PRE-CRUISE AND BOARDING

Guests had to have a GP assessment seven days before the cruise, file a comprehensive health questionnaire and take a COVID test no more than 72 hours before departure.

They were also requested to self-isolate as much as possible for a week before the cruise.

Passengers met at the British Hotel, in Port Adelaide, for a group transfer to Outer Harbor.

There was a general health check before embarkation, including a temperature check.

Guests also had to produce evidence of their negative COVID test and when it was taken.

The Coral Adventurer ship and crew. Picture: Coral Expeditions

LIFE ON BOARD

There were daily temperature checks by the ship’s doctor, Tessa Wilton, once aboard.

Housekeeping staff wore masks and gloves while cleaning rooms.

The Australian-flagged, Australian-crewed ship also had a regular cleaning program and multiple hand sanitiser stations. Hand cleaning was expected on entry to the dining room, public areas and also on return from daily shore tours, which were often wet landings on isolated beaches.

There were no buffet meals, nor were condiments left on tables.

The Wild Islands of SA itinerary included bushwalks, snorkelling and spotting wildlife, from sea lions and dolphins to black-footed rock wallabies and emus.

The ship carried two tender boats on to which guests could simply walk. They were then lowered to the water, as were six inflatables, called Zodiacs. Guests enjoyed free drinks with lunch and dinner, and talks on the island stops from guest lecturers Quentin Chester and Dale Arnott.

HICCUPS

Several days into the trip, passenger Joan Ogden, of Fullarton, had a slight temperature.

Dr Wilton isolated her and ran two COVID tests. Both proved negative. Her room was sanitised, and she soon felt better.

“I was given brilliant care with all the protocols in place,” she said. “I had eight visits from Tessa and was treated like a queen.”

Shane and Loz Thomas, of Bright, in regional Victoria, were also quizzed on their movements when Melbourne went into lockdown but they had not been remotely near any hotspots.

Passengers from the Coral Adventurer check out the scenery. Picture: Quentin Chester Photography

CAPTAIN’S THOUGHTS

Captain Andrew Rourke said the ship was a floating COVID-free zone of its own.

“We have a COVID-free bubble, and the protocols are in place to ensure the integrity of the bubble,” he said.

“There have been lots of tests and precautions taken in the lead-up to this.”

PASSENGER THOUGHTS

For guests, the extra layer of precautions were welcomed and worth it to set sail.

Margaret Bowling and Peter Lazic, of Henley Beach, said they had been getting “itchy feet” from not travelling.

“This looked really interesting and was really our only opportunity to get to see these islands,” Mr Lazic said. “They have so many safeguards against COVID, and the ship left from Adelaide, so no risks from travelling.”

Brian and Sally Hopkins, of North Adelaide, were also keen to travel after a year when their only holiday was from Darwin on the Ghan.

“When this came up at fairly short notice, it sounded great and the precautions against COVID were reassuring,” Mrs Hopkins said.

Phil and Kathryn Gaukroger, of Flinders Park, pictured, were happy to cruise at short notice while staying within SA waters. “We were comfortable with all the precautions and because it was a small ship staying in SA,” Mr Gaukroger said.

Sue and Phil Hood, of Brisbane, who had two European cruises cancelled last year, had been keen to get back on the water.

“It was a really interesting itinerary and they went above our expectations with all the precautions,” Mrs Hood said.

Several medicos were among guests, including anaesthetist John Lauritz and wife Alison, of Brisbane.

“We knew it would be a COVID-free bubble and were quite comfortable coming on board,” Dr Lauritz said.

Dr Tessa Wilton does the daily temperature check on board Coral Adventurer, in this case guest Will Godfrey. Picture: Brad Crouch

DISEMBARKATION

After a final temperature check, guests simply disembarked at Outer Harbor for transfers to the city and the airport.

Coral Expeditions has scheduled two similar voyages later this year in SA, on Coral Geographer, on November 22 and December 2, with policies in place should the trips be disrupted because of COVID complications such as a lockdown or border closures. Coral Adventurer will sail to Fremantle for routine maintenance before a season sailing Kimberley itineraries.

REACTION

South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex welcomed the success of the cruise.

“It’s terrific that the first cruise back in South Australian waters has been a success, and that the passengers have been able to see some of our state’s unique locations and spectacular coastlines,” he said.

“We’ve seen some great social media coverage from guests on board, who have loved the chance to be cruising again, and importantly, cruising in a COVID-safe way.

“We’ll continue to work with our cruise partners to plan ahead for future similar expeditions later this year, including when Coral Expeditions returns in November.”

Premier Steven Marshall said: “The return of cruise is very significant for our state’s tourism sector, especially in our regions, where the spend and visitation means a great deal to the local economy.

“The tourism dollar is what helps drive more businesses to invest and grow, and that means more jobs and more opportunities.”

The writer travelled with the assistance of the SATC