palks

As a couple have mentioned, I suspect even more lines will change their plans as a result of the conflict in the Middle East so they can plan next year with some certainty. 
 

Add to that, is the EU (from memory) requirement for reduced emissions from cruise lines, which means they need to lower the speeds and distance the older ships travel. Our region generally requires high overnight speeds or multiple days transits as opposed to being in Europe or the Caribbean. 
 

There's a number of issues that I think will rule any cruising this summer..., unless a vaccine is found.

crew for the ships - yes they could isolate before arrival in Australia however in order to maintain training currency..ie fire/flood etc the model works on a slow constant rotation of crew....too difficult apart from the initial crewing to change out the whole crew at one time and safely sail and be certified as safe to do so. Only way I can see around this is crew from Aust/NZ...which cost a ***** load more!!!

Social distancing requirements - cruising within the bounds of social distancing will be completely different - how do you rotate the pool deck so everyone gets their 30 mins....how do you regulate the bar to 4 SQM per person...no shows....buffet limited number of people per time...same for dinning room - wont be allowed to have the current numbers in the dinning room at the same time...cabins limited to max 2 per cabin etc etc

To me, while all of the above could be done....it wont be profitable to the company unless the price of cruising is significantly increased......

Forgetting Covid for a minute...even before the current crisis...the area is not Neglected by the cruise industry...it’s that they would struggle to make a profit from cruising up there. On here, we all tend to be cruise lovers and committed to cruising, but we don’t make up the majority of people on cruise...they still need to attract Mum and Dad cruisers, preferably with some more members of their family.

Darwin at the best of times, is expensive to get too, accomodation is hard to find at decent prices and then most ports that can accomodate a cruise ship are not close....so a cruise out of Darwin needs to be at generally greater than 12;days...meaning with travel times both side....at least two weeks off work for people....a big commitment. Most of us on this website would do that...but I go back to my earlier point...we don’t make up most of the people on a cruise ship.


Sent from my iPad using Forums

While travel between NZ and Aust maybe open sooner than being allowed to fly further without restrictions (14 isolation on return), I still struggle to see how it wont cost significantly more than it does now with the restrictions I would see that will still be required.  Social isolation will be enforce until there is a vaccine...Aust PM has already said that...and therefore I would expect any cruise line will be required to reduce the numbers onboard each ship...limited number of people around the pool...buffet...dining rooms etc to be able to get an approval to re-commence.  All this means increased cost to operate and therefore increased cost to passengers.  Not sure, but I would expect no more than two people per stateroom as well...again reducing the number of paying passengers.

I just can't see it being economical or allowed by regulators until there is a vaccine.

Been reading this thread with interest, and I suppose some hope, we have a cruise planned around NZ in Jan 21. I just don’t see it returning to anything like normal for a long time....

Obviously most of us on here are cruise fans, we don’t make up the majority on a sailing...and that will be problem, convincing the public it is ‘safe’ to do so. Second...international travel is going to be a long time away from restarting...again a significant number of people on a cruise out of Aus/NZ are international travellers.

I see some small ship cruising between NZ and Australia starting before anything else, but due to what will be ongoing restrictions on mass travel...don’t see many big ships here for a long time.


Sent from my iPad using Forums

My thoughts only, not as an arguement to the other points of view...

I think RCL (and others) will struggle to fill the extra Oasis class ships and the big ships.  One or two doing thier original run through the Caribbean might work, but thier plans for expanded use (Asia etc) will struggle. If you relate it to the airline industry, experts are already 'doubtful' people will want to travel on the A380, too many people in one place, for a long period after we get through this. This might apply to cruising, know it is already being talked about within our social circle about people wanting travel that doesn't involve 'mass humans'.  Also I think it will take a while for a lot of local authorities to approve ships to visit, and certainly those with thousands of people, after the experiance a number of countries have had with infected cruise ship visitors.  This mornings reporting here in Australia places a signifcant number of the first positives into Australia are traceable back to cruise ships.  Lets hope we can get back to where we were as soon as possible without too many more poeple losing thier lives...its getting horrendous at the moment in a number of places around the world.  I get the feeling it will take a long time to get internation travel going again...

Hey All,

We have been on Explorer since sailing Sydney29 March  and I can say that OP must have been looking for all the things that looked tired, as I simply haven't notice it.  Yes, the ship is due for a refit, but as I said, I haven't noticed what was shown in the photos..I must walk around with my eyes closed.  And even if I did notice them, it would take nothing away from the fantastic 40 plus nights we have had on here.  And the main reason for the great time....the crew.  They all appear happy, engaged and nothing is too much trouble for them.

As someone who has spent years at sea with my employment, am sure you could find something like is in the photos on every ship if you went and looked for it.  And if your looking for it...your forgetting to relax and have a holiday!

While it would be nice....I just can't really see where it would sail to from Sydney....NZ ports would struggle to cope, of which I think it could only fit into a couple and certainly can't see too many in the South Pacific that could accommodate that many people or the ship. And not sure we have the market for what would be a repetitive cruise, ie the same ports every cruise. It works in Florida because of the population of America, but we would very quickly get bored with the same cruise each time. Maybe a one season wonder before moving to Asia where I know a lot of ports have recently built facilities to accommodate an Oasis Class.

I don't think it as easy or as practical to move the Navy out as some think, even without worrying about the cost of moving and the loss of revenue to Sydney. The Navy, its people and supporting services spend more money every year in Sydney than the cruise ship revenue will. And why should 6000 families be moved away from there home and supporting families, just for the cruise industry to have a 'free' terminal....none of the cruise companies are offering to pay for the move or any new terminal?

And some of the suggested places for the navy to move to would not be something that will happen in the short to medium term, such as Jervis Bay - a national park? Imagine getting planning approval for a big base in the middle of that?

And as a person who has extensive mariner experience, the problem is not just Sydney but the whole region,in that the Pacific Islands and NZ can't handle many more cruise ships. Most islands the ships visit could not cope with more than one per day and NZ is out during winter so it limits the itinerary ships can do in the ideal 7-10 day timeframe that most cruisers want. Yes those of us on here probably like longer cruises, but we are not the majority who can only get limited time of work or takes kids out of school for too long.

Moving the Navy would be a 10-15 year thing to do, something needs to be found that can be done sooner. And my personal opinion is that growth of the cruise industry in Australia is showing signs of slowing and people will soon get sick of the pacific island and NZ. And as we know, Australia is a long flight from most other parts of the world so we dont attract as many overseas cruisers as places like the Med or Caribbean. I would be concerned we will spend a lot of money on something that we know the moment the demand slows...they will move the ships away...take a look at Asia - some countries spent huge amounts of money on new terminals but the moment the demand drops - ships redeployed away.

The main reason the Navy remains where it is, is the cost to move and the dry dock. Creating the required shore support services to support the Navy in another location would be huge. And if you move them from Garden Island, then the training bases such as at HMAS Watson, Penguin, and Waterhen might as well move, no point training people and then having to move them to where the ships are.

And no one has considered the huge number of families that would have to relocate, away from established support networks. It's not easy for the families when one member is away for months on end every year and you need the support to help with everything. And all the partners that have to move/leave established jobs...just so the cruise industry can have a 'free' (they wont pay) new port.

Sydney really needs to start planning, now, for the volume of cruise ships that could be expected in ten years time.

I agree...but just don't think the Naval base is a viable option. I think things like Botany offer a much easier and less expensive option (noting it will be us as taxpayers paying for it). Ships could then do a 'lap' of Sydney Harbour after sailing Botany.

One of the big difficulties with using the Navy base as a combined Navy/cruise ship wharf is the ability to predict the Naval ships movements. By that, as you all know, cruise companies schedule 18 plus months in advance, but the Navy does not have the ability to confirm that there will be room at the base. Naval ships programs are much more fluid than cruise ships (ask any Naval member or family member) simply because they react to operational requirements. Naval ships programs change often...and need the ability to use the base when it does change. I'm not aware of anyone who can predict when disasters will happen and the Navy needs to respond..or when Russian warships turn up off our coast as happened a year or so ago with limited warning.

Longer term, moving the Naval base is not just the cost of the physical move to a suitable location (as Brisbane41 pointed out..Brisbane is not), but the moving of over 4000 families and the upheaval. Its not something that can be done without a huge amount of money and a long lead time.

Interesting article in the Dunedin, NZ Otago Daily Times online..

"The Star understands 2017 could also be a big season with next-generation Quantum class cruise ships capable of carrying more than 4000 passengers expected in Dunedin.

Port Otago manager Peter Brown said the port's pilots would be carrying out computer simulations to determine whether these ships could safely dock in Dunedin. These were due to be completed by the end of the month."

http://www.odt.co.nz/news/dunedin/320013/good-news-cruise-line

She went back out round Fort Denison and now heading back to the berth, those onboard gott an extra cruise around Sydney Harbour.

Noticed carnival spirit arriving later than normal this morning. She started heading into the OPT and stopped short and is now turning to head back out. Extra time onboard...

There's an entry in Dunedin New Zealand cruise schedule for Legend of the Seas for 3 Feb 16.

http://www.portotago.co.nz/6/2.html

Hi,

we are cruising next year March - starting from Perth.

Can somebody give me a good advice for a nice hotel near port ?:rolleyes:

How are the temperatures?

 

We fly to Australia 2 days before, that means we need one or two nights in hotel before cruise.

What are good things to do/see in this short time?;)

Thank you

Elvi

Hey

The Esplanade Hotel in Fremantle (the port) is a very nice hotel, which is walking distance to the train station to go into Perth, or just walk around Fremantle. (http://www.rydges.com/accommodation/perth/esplanade-hotel-fremantle-by-rydges/welcome/)

And it would only be a 5 min taxi ride to the ship on departure day.

Hope that helps

Phill

I was on the same cruise you are doing two years ago, they ran a Dawn Service which was excellant. Captain spoke and they asked for volunteers to assist with readings. Rest of the day (was a sea day) was normal.

Hi,

I hope you enjoy your time "downunder". Having previously lived in NZ, I can tell you that no matter what the temp is predicted to be, be prepared for cold/chilly weather. If you get a wind from the south, it will be cold!

There is normally one shore excursion in the Milford Sound where some people get on/off (depends which way round NZ the ship is going) and involves being off the ship overnight via Queenstown. For everyone else it is just very scenic cruising.

Phill