Coronavirus: Caledonian Sky last cruise ship to set sail

The planned departure of the Ruby Princess and the Artania at the weekend would leave just one cruise ship in Australian waters.

The Caledonian Sky off the coast of Darwin on Wednesday. Picture: Che Chorley

The planned departure of the Ruby Princess and the Swiss-owned Artania at the weekend would leave just one cruise ship with no passengers in Australian waters.

The Artania has been docked at Fremantle south of Perth for a month since its arrival with sick passengers triggered a diplomatic crisis. More than 70 passengers and crew from the Artania have been taken into Perth hospitals with coronavirus and two of them have died. While the Artania’s remaining 800 European passengers flew home via Frankfurt on March 29, 400 Asian crew remain on board in isolation. It is due to sail on Saturday, after an agreement with Australian Border Force.

The Ruby Princess is due to leave the eastern seaboard at the weekend.

The only cruise ship that would remain in Australian waters is the Caledonian Sky anchored off Darwin. That vessel is carrying only crew but whether and when it should leave became the subject of a court hearing on Wednesday. The Australian understands that after talks, the ship is scheduled to leave on Tuesday.