Realistic and optimistic approach for Carnival in Australia

[jimbo5544]

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23659-optimistic-and-realistic-approach-in-australia-for-carnival.html

[Moviela]

I booked an Australian cruise next June and remain optimistic too. Problem is Australia is virtually closed to Americans and signals that will continue until 2022. This can change if the virus ceases to be a serious problem. At the moment many cities in OZ are locked down because of a "second wave." I was rather surprised to learn that pandemics over the past 250 years have all had second waves of infections 6 months after the first. Thankfully deaths have tapered off, but world wide there seems to be a sudden increase in infections. Europe is locking down, UK is locking down certain areas, Asia is locking down certain areas, India has no clue how to slow the spread, and China is even welding the doors on people who have refused to follow the stay put orders. 

 

A major effort is being made internationally to produce a vaccine in record time, and hopefully the highest priority individuals will have their two jabs by years' end. Once this happens, a vaccination card will be as important as a passport for international travel.

 

[chengkp75]

Sure they can be optimistic, since they are only talking to customers and travel agents.  I don't see any mention of talks with government about restarting.  And, given Australia's cabotage laws, it would not surprise me to hear that the government places more restrictions on the foreign flag ships than pre-pandemic, to tighten the "bubble" further.

[jimbo5544]

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

Sure they can be optimistic, since they are only talking to customers and travel agents.  I don't see any mention of talks with government about restarting.  And, given Australia's cabotage laws, it would not surprise me to hear that the government places more restrictions on the foreign flag ships than pre-pandemic, to tighten the "bubble" further.

The only tightening I have seen from down under has been on the land side.  It was hard hitting and held nothing back.   Nothing on the cruise lines....nothing. 

[NCTribeFan]

I'm booked on a semi-B2B in Feb 2022.  Spirit out of Brisbane to South Pacific islands, then 3 days later, Splendor out of Sydney to New Zealand.  Really, really hope they happen as I've wanted to visit that region of the world for a long time.  

[pe4all]

51 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

I'm booked on a semi-B2B in Feb 2022.  Spirit out of Brisbane to South Pacific islands, then 3 days later, Splendor out of Sydney to New Zealand.  Really, really hope they happen as I've wanted to visit that region of the world for a long time.  

What a wonderful itinerary.  I got an offer for a "free" ocean view on a whole bunch of Australia cruises, plus free play in the casino from players club.   This itinerary has been on my bucket list forever, but with the state of things I don't want to commit to another vacation (already had my bucket list Galapagos trip cancelled, and Disneyworld 3x cancelled, and can't even get down to our Florida condo due to quarentine rules back in NY) and be disappointed again.  I truly hope your cruise sails.

[chengkp75]

2 hours ago, jimbo5544 said:

The only tightening I have seen from down under has been on the land side.  It was hard hitting and held nothing back.   Nothing on the cruise lines....nothing. 

Well, considering that they have a complete travel ban on leaving Australia, and anyone arriving for a cruise from anywhere but New Zealand (and you have to have been there for 14 days) must quarantine for 14 days, I'd say that is a pretty hard lock down on cruises.  And, as I say, the permits that allow the foreign flag ships to operate in Australia are time and number of voyages limited, and they already had restrictions on how much crew had to be from Oz, etc, and with no areas other than New Zealand being in "green zone", they may require full Oz crew for renewal of the coastwise permits.

[jimbo5544]

59 minutes ago, fyree39 said:

jimbo doesn't believe you. lol

My comment was in reference to specific lockdowns and penalties to the cruiselines, not travel in general.  The purpose of the post was that there was a review of what happened when the outbreak started and what this “panel” (I really do not remember who it was but it was government based) found.  The original article was based on consumer and company outlook, not governmental or controlling agency based, but can stand on its own.

[OzKiwiJJ]

15 hours ago, Moviela said:

I booked an Australian cruise next June and remain optimistic too. Problem is Australia is virtually closed to Americans and signals that will continue until 2022. This can change if the virus ceases to be a serious problem. At the moment many cities in OZ are locked down because of a "second wave." I was rather surprised to learn that pandemics over the past 250 years have all had second waves of infections 6 months after the first.

One city, Melbourne, is locked down but since the number of new cases has dropped significantly the restrictions are being eased.

 

Some Australian states have closed their borders, and people from other states have to quarantine if they get permits to go to those states.

 

The Australian border is completely closed to all overseas visitors except NZers (and there are restrictions on that. Only returning Australian citizens/residents are permitted.

[OzKiwiJJ]

The Australian governments have given no indication as to when regular cruising will be permitted to restart here. We are hoping for October/November 2021. When it does start it will probably be restricted to locals (Australians and NZers) only. A lot will depend on the availability of a vaccine, and how the pandemic is going worldwide. Many crew members come from countries that are hard hit by the virus and that will cause delays in restarting here.

[getting older slowly]

From what I can see a bit of non news........

 

Cruising in Australia,  for anybody other than Australians and New Zealanders.... will be off the cards until Mid to late 2022..... if you are following what our government is saying..... 

 

And only Melbourne has been in lockdown, as well as various state boarder being closed..

 

So that is about it..... Don

Edited October 21, 2020 by getting older slowly

[possum52]

What OzKiwiJJ has said is correct. From Government statements, it is unlikely that there visitors from Europe, the US and other countries where Covid 19 is rampant will be allowed in Australia for quite some months. Our national airline QANTAS has announced it will not have international flights until at least the middle of 2021. There is unlikely to be cruising allowed in Australia until the 2021-2022 season.

 

Leigh

[Cruisegroover]

6 minutes ago, possum52 said:

What OzKiwiJJ has said is correct. From Government statements, it is unlikely that there visitors from Europe, the US and other countries where Covid 19 is rampant will be allowed in Australia for quite some months. Our national airline QANTAS has announced it will not have international flights until at least the middle of 2021. There is unlikely to be cruising allowed in Australia until the 2021-2022 season.

 

Leigh

Yes correct. I did hear Alan Joyce (CEO Qantas) saying flying to Europe and America may not resume until end of 2021. I paid particular attention to that point as I have a cruise booked from South America December 2021. I am not making any further plans on that trip and if I am really honest with myself I should just cancel it now.

 

[possum52]

9 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Well, considering that they have a complete travel ban on leaving Australia, and anyone arriving for a cruise from anywhere but New Zealand (and you have to have been there for 14 days) must quarantine for 14 days, I'd say that is a pretty hard lock down on cruises.  And, as I say, the permits that allow the foreign flag ships to operate in Australia are time and number of voyages limited, and they already had restrictions on how much crew had to be from Oz, etc, and with no areas other than New Zealand being in "green zone", they may require full Oz crew for renewal of the coastwise permits.

The only travellers to Australia are returning Australians and some NZers. Some internationals have been allowed in for work such as Tom Hanks and his wife who are here for a filming a movie in QLD.

 

There is no cruising from Australia at all except for expedition cruises from Cairns to the Great Barrier Reef. These cruises use vessels that only have approximately 70 -120 passengers and are for Australians only. Cruises along the West Australian coast are scheduled to start in March 2021 and unless the WA government opens their borders, these cruises will be for West Australians only.

 

 

Leigh

 

 

 

[Aus Traveller]

10 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Well, considering that they have a complete travel ban on leaving Australia, and anyone arriving for a cruise from anywhere but New Zealand (and you have to have been there for 14 days) must quarantine for 14 days, I'd say that is a pretty hard lock down on cruises.  And, as I say, the permits that allow the foreign flag ships to operate in Australia are time and number of voyages limited, and they already had restrictions on how much crew had to be from Oz, etc, and with no areas other than New Zealand being in "green zone", they may require full Oz crew for renewal of the coastwise permits.

Before COVID there were several ships based here but I haven't seen Australian crew on cruise ships operating out of Australia. 

[By The Bay]

Realistic and optimistic? I cannot see the big 4 cruise-lines restarting in Australia whilst the pandemic is raging in the northern hemisphere. There is a stink around cruise ships visiting Australia after the Ruby Princess debacle. It will need the Federal Australian and State Governments to give the go ahead.  Not happening any time soon. 😒

 

Having said all that, I have 3 cruises booked from October 2021. I will assess the situation when final payment is due.

[mr walker]

1 hour ago, Aus Traveller said:

Before COVID there were several ships based here but I haven't seen Australian crew on cruise ships operating out of Australia. 

I agree - have not come across any Australian crew on RC, Carnival or Princess cruises, save for some entertainment & activity people.

[NSWP]

3 minutes ago, mr walker said:

I agree - have not come across any Australian crew on RC, Carnival or Princess cruises, save for some entertainment & activity people.

The cruise lines will not pay Australian Award Wages, which the Unions require. Hence all the overseas staff.

[Ondine]

This was released this morning.  Interesting - wishful thinking.

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/news-releases/news-release-details/po-cruises-australias-fleet-shape-bounce-back-pacific-adventure

[NCTribeFan]

It's a long way off, but the logistics of planning the trip from the states for the 2 cruises with 3 days in between to explore would be difficult enough in "normal" circumstances.  I have funds from cancelled cruises that I hope to apply to either/both of my Oz bookings.  Was thinking to break up the flights with overnight stops in Hawaii.

 

Not looking good for my Jan B2B sailings on HAL.  Maybe not even my March sailing on X (was to be my first on that line).  Just cancelled my NCL Escape TA for April but did replace that with a B2B on MSC.  October B2B Med/TA (replacement for cancelled 2020 sailings) hopefully will happen!  Will just have to wait and see. 

[bazzaw]

Qantas just said that they do not expect International flights to/from US and UK until 2022. 

[NSWP]

4 minutes ago, bazzaw said:

Qantas just said that they do not expect International flights to/from US and UK until 2022. 

That is not good news.

[By The Bay]

38 minutes ago, NSWP said:

That is not good news.

But realistic.

[NSWP]

12 minutes ago, By The Bay said:

But realistic.

Given the massive covid numbers coming out of US , UK and Europe generally. I cannot see those numbers going down sgnificantly in the near future. Who wants to go there? Not this little black duck.

Edited October 23, 2020 by NSWP

[By The Bay]

I herd today that they are rounding the corner in US of A. 😄