Cruise industry decries extension of international ban

The cruise industry has labelled the government’s extension of the international cruise ban as a ‘devastating blow’ to thousands of Australians who depend on cruise tourism.

The cruise industry’s new health measures include vaccination and testing requirements for passengers and crew before boarding. Above, Odyssey of the Seas.

The cruise industry has labelled the federal government’s decision to extend the cruise ban as a ‘‘devastating blow’’ to the thousands of Australians who depend on cruise tourism.

Health Minister Greg Hunt extended the ban on foreign-flagged vessels for a further two months to February 2022, having initially started the ban back in March, 2020.

Representing the major cruise companies, Cruise Lines International Association managing director Joel Katz, said Australia was the only major cruise market in the world without an agreed plan to resume cruising, an industry which was once worth $5bn to the Australian economy.

From Carnival to Royal Caribbean all major American-owned cruise companies have been forced to cancel their cruise itineraries for the start of 2022, in a move which will damage the economic livelihoods of hotels, taxi drivers, tour operators and providores.

“The suspension of cruising has been devastating for the 18,000 Australians who depend on cruise tourism, including travel agents, tour operators, food and produce providers, entertainers, port workers and many other industry suppliers,” Mr Katz said in a statement.

“In other countries close to five million people have already sailed successfully under the cruise industry’s extensive new health protocols. We need federal and state governments to use the coming weeks for genuine discussions with the cruise industry so we can plan a similar revival in Australia.”

Mr Katz said the extension of Australia’s cruise ban was a further disappointment for thousands of cruise fans who faced uncertainty around their future holiday plans.

“Cruising has changed enormously in response to the pandemic and the work our industry has done with medical experts internationally has resulted in health protocols that are successful in mitigating the risks of Covid-19,” Mr Katz said.

“With vaccination rates increasing and borders opening, we need agreement on the way forward throughout Australia so there can be a careful revival of cruise tourism in communities around the country.”

The cruise industry’s new health measures 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.

Mr Katz said it would take several months of preparations before cruise ships could return to Australian waters.

“Cruising involves long lead-times, so it is essential that the industry can work closely with all governments and health authorities to establish detailed operational plans ahead of resumption,” Mr Katz.

Mr Hunt said the extension of these arrangements made by the Governor-General was informed by specialist medical and epidemiological advice provided by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) and the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer.

“Continuation of these arrangements will allow the important measures currently in place to continue as the government continues to reopen Australia and act decisively to respond to the emergence of the Omicron variant,” Mr Hunt said.

The government said its restrictions on the entry of cruise vessels within Australian territory would be reviewed monthly.

“The government continues to work constructively with the cruse industry, with whom we remain actively engaged alongside state and federal governments to enable a phased resumption of cruising in Australia on the basis of medical advice,” Mr Hunt said.

Cruise executives at Carnival and Royal Caribbean could not be reached for comment last night.