The pros and cons of cruising in the time of Covid; ship restrictions explained

After being decimated by Covid, cruising is back with cheap deals on offer. But is it worth the risk and what are the ship rules?

Will a cruise during a Covid wave be the cheap holiday of a lifetime, or a bitter disappointment?

To cruise or not to cruise?

That’s the question many Victorians are asking themselves right now as the cruise industry offers some of its best deals ever, but a new Covid wave threatens to make for rough seas.

Some breathtakingly cheap international luxury cruises are currently on offer but with Covid restrictions still in place on ships – including masks on some – is it worth taking the gamble?

If you get Covid, and then your cabin partner tests positive, what’s the risk you could spend much of your long-anticipated holiday confined to your room, that may not have a balcony or even window?

Will it be the affordable holiday of a lifetime you dreamt of, or a bitter disappointment?

Current sales from Holiday Max boast a 20 day Mediterranean cruise for just $4849.

The “premium luxury cruise” visits Italy, the Greek Islands, Spain, France, Croatia and Malta.

Aussies can also get their hands on an 18 day cruise around Australia and Asia, visiting Sydney, Whitsundays, Cairns, Darwin, Bali and Singapore for $3199.

The top deck of a Princess cruise. Picture: Paul Nordmann

Both include return international flights, short stays in four-star hotels and on land tours.

But a deal this good comes with some risk.

Most Australian cruise ships require passengers who test positive for Covid to isolate for five days.

Those who contract Covid can only come out of isolation after returning a negative rapid antigen test.

Close contacts are required to test daily before leaving their room and must wear a mask, dine and drink in separate areas to other guests.

Peter, 78, who did not want to use his last name, said he would not cruise again after a disastrous experience last month.

The Eildon resident went on the Grand Princess in November to travel to New Zealand and back.

“When we arrived at Christchurch an emergency came up and I had to fly back to Melbourne,” he said.

“My partner continued on and contracted Covid on-board. She’s 71.

“She went straight from the ship to The Alfred hospital where she stayed and recovered for several days.”

Peter said it was his first time travelling with the cruise line.

“I won’t go on another cruise at all now – it was a hassle,” he said.

“We had the cruise booked before Covid and we waited until it was over and thought that it was going to be safe to travel.

“I wouldn’t recommend going on one if you’re scared about getting (Covid).”

The Grand Princess cruise ship which had an outbreak of Covid docks in Port Melbourne. Picture: David Crosling

Recent Covid outbreaks on cruise ships has put the issue firmly in the spotlight.

The Grand Princess cruise ship, which docked at Melbourne’s Station Pier, was carrying passengers sick with Covid.

A small percentage of the 2100 guests contracted the virus on-board and were required to isolate.

But Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises president Marguerite Fitzgerald said more than 100,000 Aussies had enjoyed holidaying on more than 60 international and domestic Carnival Australia cruises over the past six months; largely happily.

“That’s why we have been planning and preparing for many months to manage and care for Covid cases as they arise on board, reflective of the current fourth wave being experienced across Australia,” she said.

Masked Grand Princess cruise ship passengers disembark. Picture: David Crosling

“We have the most robust health and safety measures in place to keep our guests, crew, and communities we visit safe.

“These measures are above any land-based settings and other transport and holiday providers, and we are pleased that they are working as we have been able to successfully continue operations since this fourth wave began.”

Guests on all Carnival Australia cruises are required to return a negative Covid test before they are permitted to board

The ships mandate a vaccination level of about 95 per cent on board, allowing space for people with genuine medical exemptions to still sail.