Coronavirus: Viking, Princess Cruises cancel Cairns, Port Douglas visits
The Far North will miss out on thousands of visitors this month after cruise companies who visit the region suspended services in the wake of the coronavirus crisis.
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A SUSPENSION of services by Carnival’s Princess Cruise Lines and Viking Cruises is likely to slug hospitality providers already reeling under travel bans in the wake of coronavirus and more may still come.
Princess Cruises and Viking cruises yesterday announced that it would cease operations for two months – depriving Cairns of six port visits and the wallets of nearly 7000 passengers. Later this month Cairns had expected to host the Viking Orion, Sea Princess and Sun Princess cruise ships.
The Sun Princess was due to return in early April. Yorkeys Knob and Port Douglas were also due for a Sun Princess visit over the next month.
Ominously, a Ports North spokeswoman said other cruise companies were also “reassessing their operations”.
“Other cruise companies are reassessing their operations as part of their response to the international coronavirus pandemic,” the spokeswoman said.
“A number of visit cancellations for Cairns and other ports in the region have been received and we continue to work with the cruise companies in a very rapidly changing environment.”
The port’s cruise schedule is expected to be updated with the shrinking number of ship visits.
“Further changes for all ports should be expected as the cruise industry continues to assess the impacts of the coronavirus on their operations,” the spokeswoman said.
Last month Princess Cruises shot to popular consciousness with the news that the Diamond Princess had been quarantined at the Port of Yokohama.
Two Cairns couples – Paul and Jacqui Fidrmuc and Ian and Carolyn Gregg were stuck aboard the cruise ship when it went into lockdown.
Despite the crew’s efforts, Mr Fidrmuc tested positive to the COVID19 coronavirus and was whisked away to a Japanese hospital for four weeks.
It is understood that Princess has offered passengers a 100 per cent transfer of the cost of their cancelled cruise to a future cruise and customers can also apply for a cash refund.
CEO of Tourism Tropical North Queensland Mark Olsen said the suspension would take a toll on the tourism economy.
President of the Chamber of Commerce Nick Loukas said the cancellations would be the straw that broke the camel’s back for some businesses.
“I have had many calls today,” Mr Loukas said.
“I spoke to one operator who said he had 50 staff and enough work for five.”
Originally published as Coronavirus: Viking, Princess Cruises cancel Cairns, Port Douglas visits