Australia ends cruise Covid-19 restrictions

Australia has ditched all Covid-19 restrictions for cruise ships, including having to show a negative RAT test when checking-in, but experts warn passengers should still be mindful. 

Cruise lines such as Carnival, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises have welcomed the change, noting that the health and safety of guests and crew remains a top priority.

Planning on taking a cruise from Australia this summer? Expect changes with the news that all government-mandated Covid restrictions are no longer, which means you won’t have to show negative RAT tests or vaccination information when checking in.

Australia’s chief medical officer Paul Kelly said measures had been removed at the federal level after a decision by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC). Other countries have already done away with the measures.

“This gives clarity to cruise passengers ahead of the coming summer cruise season,” said Joel Katz, the managing director of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia.

“As the last major cruise destination to maintain cruise-specific measures, Australia’s ongoing testing and vaccination requirements had been causing increasing confusion among travellers, particularly as measures on land and at airports had been removed.”

So, should cruisers be at all concerned that Covid-era measures have been removed on cruise ships? According to Katz, the revival of cruise operations in Australia has been carefully managed since the middle of last year and many hundreds of thousands of Australians have sailed successfully in local waters. With a bumper season scheduled from October to April, and beyond, we’ll see cruising return to pre-pandemic levels in Australia.

You won’t have to show negative RAT tests or vaccination information when checking in.

Katz says the important thing is that the cruise industry will still hold health and safety as its highest priority. During the Covid-era, ships enhanced ventilation, outdoor dining options increased and cruisers will notice more sanitation stations available throughout ships.

“Cruise ships have always had a major 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,” he says. “Cruise lines will continue to abide by their own robust health and safety measures and hygiene standards, and the industry will work closely with health authorities into the future.”

Of course, cruisers can also take measures to ensure a healthy cruise – to help protect against Covid, the flu or norovirus – by washing hands thoroughly, spending time outside rather than in enclosed spaces and maintaining a safe distance.

“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,” Katz says.

“Vaccinations for Covid-19 and other illnesses are still strongly recommended, and it’s important to continue following personal hygiene routines. The use of masks is still welcome for anyone who would prefer to. For all people with personal medical considerations, we always recommend discussing travel plans with a doctor before departure.”

Cruise lines such as Carnival, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises have welcomed the change, all noting that the health and safety of guests and crew remains a top priority and that they will be maintaining prevention and control protocols across the fleet.

Originally published as Australia ends cruise Covid-19 restrictions