Patrea and Ed Stuttard from Gold Coast overcome Australian travel ban to cruise the world

A Gold Coast couple who flew overseas to holiday on cruise ships say the industry’s ban must end, as they reveal what life is now like on board. SEE THE PHOTOS.

An Aussie couple who love cruising have defied the Australian cruise ship ban by flying overseas to holiday on seven vessels over six weeks.

Retirees Patrea and Ed Stuttard, from the Gold Coast, flew from Brisbane to Fiji, then to Los Angeles, where they boarded their first cruise, Carnival Radiance, just after Christmas.

The triple vaxxed couple, who are still Covid-19 negative, are now relaxing in style on Carnival Panorama with back-to-back cruises booked until February 12.

The federal government’s almost-two-year ban on foreign-flagged cruise ships, which has been extended until February 17, has devastated the local cruise industry.

The travel-loving Stuttards said it was time the ban was lifted as they offered an insight into Covid-19 protocols on cruise ships in the new era of travel.

These include rigorous deep cleans, QR codes for all dining and 100 per cent mask compliance for crew members, adult passengers and children.

Patrea and Ed Stuttard, from the Gold Coast, during their cruise on Carnival Radiance.

“This ship and we believe all cruise ships are substantially cleaner than our local shopping malls. I can’t ever remember seeing anyone cleaning the legs of the chairs in a food hall in Australia in a shopping centre, but we saw this on-board this ship on more than one occasion,” Mrs Stuttard said.

“There’s now 100 per cent mask compliance with crew, adults and children. Even small children wear a mask,” she said.

“Entertainment is as brilliant as always. Performers, particularly in the theatre wear a mask if walking through the audience then remove it when they perform. The entire audience MUST be masked during the performance.

Signs in the venue say ‘Sip & Cover’. Sip your drink then cover your face with your mask & it’s strictly enforced…. It’s simple, it’s definitely not big deal at all. It what’s required right now to cruise safely.”

The couple are currently on their second of seven cruises, heading towards the ritzy beach resorts of Mexico.

A staff member gives the bar area a thorough clean.

Hand sanitiser stations on the cruise ship.

Covid control measures on the ship.

The traditional cruise ship activities are going ahead under Covid-19 protocols and rooms are cleaned twice a day or more if requested.

“Meals in all dining areas no longer have physical menus. QR codes have replaced menus but waiters still interact politely and write down your order for food and drinks.” she said.

“Each area has its own relevant QR code food & drink menu.

Table reservations for restaurants, room service & staterooms delivery are placed via the (Carnival) HUB App.

“Most noticeable is probably many more hand sanitising stations. The TV screens around the ship remind passengers of Covid safe practices. Other than these things, it’s business as usual.”

Mrs Stuttard said other guests on-board were “astonished” to hear about the Australian cruise industry ban.

“We cannot begin to fathom why cruising hasn’t resumed. We can fly, we can attend a sports event at Suncorp Stadium, and our favourite — we can even shop in a mall!! All among a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated people with many not wearing masks.

“It’s been decided we need to learn to live with Covid, so why is ‘cruising’ being excluded from our life choices?”

The couple’s call for the cruise ban to be lifted comes at a time of crisis for the Australian industry.

QR codes in the dining room.

Cruise Lines International Association Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz said Australia was now one of the only major cruise markets in the world without an agreed plan to resume operation.

“We’ve now reached the absurd situation where Australians are allowed to travel overseas to cruise in other countries, but can’t sail in their own waters,” he said.

Mr Katz said the cruising industry now operated under some of the most stringent health protocols to be found anywhere in tourism.

Patrea and Ed Stuttard say the cruise travel ban must be lifted.

“These include vaccination and testing requirements for passengers and crew before boarding, as well as extensive protocols covering crew quarantine, distancing, sanitation, ventilation, health monitoring and response procedures,” he said.

“Importantly, these measures go beyond prevention and include great emphasis on identifying and quickly isolating potential cases, contact tracing, providing medical care, and a whole range of other response measures that have shown to be effective.

“Many cruise lines have announced additional measures in response to the Omicron variant, including strengthening testing, mask wearing and other requirements, as well as encouraging booster vaccine doses for those eligible.”