Silver Muse in Australia?

[drron29]

It is unlikely that the ban on cruise ships in Australian waters which is due to expire on December 17th will be extended. So cruising theoretically begin before Christmas.

But the big problem is that it is State Governments which control the ports so as our Commonwealth Health Minister has said it will be necessary for the States to come on board as well.

However it is very unlikely that Queensland and Western Australia plus the Northern Territory will allow International ships in their ports.

 

Fortunately NSW has been at the forefront of breaking down our lockdowns and the NSW Health Minister had a meeting with cruise officials last week which was said to have been very productive.

Global Travel Media » Blog Archive OZ cruise restart rests with the States with anger at inactivity | Global Travel Media (eglobaltravelmedia.com.au)

 

Now if it is only Sydney and Melbourne that are open I doubt the large players will be interested. A ray of hope is that New Zealand is going to allow cruising. It was initially going to be Feb 2021 but only 1 Le Ponant ship with only NZ residents. But that didn't go well.

New Zealand Cruise Association devastated by Ponant’s forced pullout (seatrade-cruise.com)

 

But Ponant is selling NZ cruises from November 21. Some great destinations including the sub Antarctic Islands and the Ross Sea in Antarctica.

PONANT Luxury New Zealand Voyages

 

The problem for International Passengers is that to enter NZ you need to have booked a 14 day Quarantine accommodation before arriving,

 

But there is cruising going on in Australia by small local ships.Basically all booked out for the next year.

 

[gogo65]

5 hours ago, drron29 said:

 

 

But Ponant is selling NZ cruises from November 21. Some great destinations including the sub Antarctic Islands and the Ross Sea in Antarctica.

PONANT Luxury New Zealand Voyages

 

 

All Ponant cruises for early 2022 are cancelled, we were on one of the Ross sea cruises and were notified they had cancelled all cruises yesterday

[cruisingaussies]

Would appreciate anyone on the December Silversea cruises sharing info on whether SS contacted their TA to advise the sailings are cancelled, or did their TA contact SS?

 

Our TA said she was speaking with SS last week and they didn't seem to know what is going on.

 

Our final balance payment is due at the weekend.  If the cruises really are cancelled, we'd like official confirmation.  Otherwise we'll be forced to pay the final so that we don't lose our deposit.

 

Thanks for any info.

[Stickman1990]

5 minutes ago, cruisingaussies said:

Would appreciate anyone on the December Silversea cruises sharing info on whether SS contacted their TA to advise the sailings are cancelled, or did their TA contact SS?

My TA contacted them - we’re still waiting on the promised letter from Silversea outlining the offer of FCC given they’re cancelling - we’re hoping to see that today along with news on whether the planned Feb cruises are indeed happening as we’re happy to move to one of them

 

We don’t have the final payment issue to worry about as we’re paid in full - so I guess more FCC to look forward to as I believe that’s calculated on what you’ve actually paid (not 100% sure on that) 

[cruisingaussies]

Thanks Stickman.  I just nudged our agent who says she's been with a client all morning.  This is what she said:

 

"It’s a cancelled cruise,

 

This morning they decided they can’t wait for Greg Hunt and Borders to say its OK so they have cancelled the first three cruises

 

We will be officially advised tomorrow with options

Eg refund deposit , FCC etc etc"

 

Can't blame Silversea.  I've already voiced my opinion about Hunt and his cohorts, useless bunch.

 

Will see if SS will come here for Feb but don't have much hope.  Looks like our next cruises won't be until Europe in May/June. 

 

It could have been so different for Australia if we had competent people in the Health Dept who really cared about the 18,000 people in our cruise industry who have lost their jobs and livelihoods.

[drron29]

19 hours ago, cruisingaussies said:

Thanks Stickman.  I just nudged our agent who says she's been with a client all morning.  This is what she said:

 

"It’s a cancelled cruise,

 

This morning they decided they can’t wait for Greg Hunt and Borders to say its OK so they have cancelled the first three cruises

 

We will be officially advised tomorrow with options

Eg refund deposit , FCC etc etc"

 

Can't blame Silversea.  I've already voiced my opinion about Hunt and his cohorts, useless bunch.

 

Will see if SS will come here for Feb but don't have much hope.  Looks like our next cruises won't be until Europe in May/June. 

 

It could have been so different for Australia if we had competent people in the Health Dept who really cared about the 18,000 people in our cruise industry who have lost their jobs and livelihoods.

The real problem is that the States control the ports.It is extremely likely the ban on cruise ships entering Australian waters will expire on December 17th.

However only NSW has shown any interest in allowing port access but even that is not definite.Already QLD,WA and Tasmania have said they won't be allowing access.

[Stickman1990]

24 minutes ago, drron29 said:

Already QLD,WA and Tasmania have said they won't be allowing access.

Got a link to those statements - and when we’re they made?

I think the Queensland and Tasmania will review their positions - however the hermit state is likely to stay locked up well into 2022 

[Stickman1990]

Ok so here’s the deal - looks like they’ve given up on the whole summer of 2021/2022 season

 

This is the offer communicated to us via our TA

 

Dear Travel Partner,

 

I hope this email finds you safe and well.

 

I am writing to inform you that Silversea has taken the difficult decision to cancel your client’s upcoming cruise on December 21st, 2021 aboard Silver Muse.  Silversea is cancelling this cruise in light of ongoing ambiguity from state and federal governments on the return of cruising in Australia. While the federal government has made positive indications about cruising's return in the coming weeks and months, no concrete decisions have been made. Before commencing a cruise in Australia, it takes between 60-90 days to bring a ship into Australian waters. Your client(s) will receive a similar communication tomorrow. If you are a Tour Operator, we will inform your client to first verify the specific refund conditions with their travel agency.

 

Silversea is still committed to delivering a domestic season in Australia, and eagerly anticipates the green light from the relevant authorities in coming weeks. Silversea has therefore scheduled a new date to operate its first local voyage on February 5, 2022.

 

Whether your guests are still interested in a departure later in our 2022 Australian season or whether they prefer to travel somewhere else in the world, we are pleased to extend the following offers:

 

A. 15% savings* on a Voyage to Voyage on any 2022-23-24 voyage.  This offer is combinable with any public fare.  World Cruise excluded.  We recommend to you the following journeys as a suggested Voyage to Voyage:

 

Sail Date	Voyage #	Voyage Days	Embark Port	Debark Port	Area
20221220	SM221220015	15	SYD	AKL	ASNZ
20230104	SM230104012	12	AKL	MEL	ASNZ
20230116	SM230116013	13	MEL	AKL	ASNZ
20221222	WH221222016	16	PPT	AKL	ASNZ
20230108	WH230108015	15	AKL	SYD	ASNZ
20230108	WH230108S12	12	AKL	MEL	ASNZ
20230123	WH230123016	16	SYD	AKL	ASNZ

 

 

B.        A Future Cruise Credit (FCC), valued at 110%* of the total booking amount to be used to reserve a cruise within 24 months of the issue date, for all open sailings. Future Cruise Credits are transferable to family and friends, and can be used partially and applied to more than one new booking.

 

Venetian Society members, when transferring the booking to another voyage or selecting a Future Cruise Credit, will accumulate cruise days on the cancelled voyage as well as on the new voyage.*

 

If your client prefers options A, please contact us before December 9th, 2021.

If your client prefers option B you do not need to contact us. On December 10th, 2021, you will automatically receive your client’s FCC for 110% of the booking value via email.

A cash refund option is also available, please consult with us.

 

While are deeply sorry to have to cancel a trip they were surely looking forward to, we hope these alternative voyages inspire them to plan their next world exploration with us.

 

We thank you for everything you do for Silversea, especially during these difficult times, and we look forward to continuing to work with you.

 

Best personal regards,

 

Barbara Muckermann

 

*Terms and Conditions apply.

 

[Stickman1990]

21 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

Ok so here’s the deal - looks like they’ve given up on the whole summer of 2021/2022 season

A correction on giving up on the whole season - fingers crossed for February sailings! 

[cruisingaussies]

Got the official cancellation info, as above, from our TA at 9 pm last night. 

It does seem that SS hope to go ahead with Feb sailings but we still need the Fed government then state premiers to get a move on to even achieve that.  As they're all too scared to make any kind of decision and evidently have no interest in cruising returning to Aus, I'm not holding my breath.

[Aussieflyer]

We too got the cancellation info from our TA today for our 30 Jan cruise. Have moved to 5 Feb but not holding out much hope.

[Stickman1990]

If she sails from Sydney on 11 Feb we’ll be there - fingers crossed

[Aussieflyer]

I see the Decmber cruises have now gone off the website although 21 Jan remains (15 days) SYD to MEL. Our original cruise was within this (6 days ADL - MEL) but was cancelled so either they are not hopeful of it proceeding or they are wanting to sell cabins for the longer cruise only. We moved to 5 Feb (still 6 days but MEL - SYD) - still not overly hopeful though. Fingers remain crossed. 

[turtlemichael]

On 11/20/2021 at 1:35 PM, Aussieflyer said:

I see the December cruises have now gone off the website although 21 Jan remains (15 days) SYD to MEL. Our original cruise was within this (6 days ADL - MEL) but was cancelled so either they are not hopeful of it proceeding or they are wanting to sell cabins for the longer cruise only. We moved to 5 Feb (still 6 days but MEL - SYD) - still not overly hopeful though. Fingers remain crossed. 

The January 21 cruise has now disappeared off the website and the first one is February 5.  My suspicion is that January 21 was left on by mistake. Fingers remain crossed for February 5. Time will tell.

[cruisingaussies]

Very impressed to receive our refund of the 21 December cruise deposit in our bank account this morning.  It's taken less than a week since their confirmation they'd be refunding us.

Still have our eyes on what may happen in February, otherwise we'll have to wait until our first European cruise in June next year.

[drron29]

I am feeling upset that I didn't take advantage of these SS Australian cruises.I was absolutely certain they wouldn't sail this year. Now had I booked and paid for about 60 days of cruising it seems as though I would get the 60 days credit plus earn 10% on my money in a couple of months and have now booked replacement cruises that would get us not only past 350 days but very close to 500 days so ending up with 21 free cruise days.

I will never forgive myself.😞

[Stickman1990]

On 11/18/2021 at 8:23 PM, Stickman1990 said:

If she sails from Sydney on 11 Feb we’ll be there - fingers crossed

All rebooked and with the bonus FCC and  I even get a refund

 

As DrRon says it’s a good investment in terms of the return on the prepayment 

 

Only thing I missed out on was the bonus Venetian days recognition as we’re still trying to actually sail on Silverseas so we become Venetian Soc members. If I can achieve that before our May cruise we’ll also qualify for a nice Venetian discount on that one

 

Sadly my feeling at the moment is that I’d say the chances of these Feb cruises actually happening is less than 25% - too many politicians in the mix across multiple States 

Edited November 29, 2021 by Stickman1990

[Aussieflyer]

SIlver Muse has moved up to LA and is docked at present. 

[turtlemichael]

34 minutes ago, Aussieflyer said:

SIlver Muse has moved up to LA and is docked at present. 

Now does this mean they are getting ready to sail or that they have run out of clean sheets?  I am jesting, of course.  As there has been no news in Australia about the key states opening to cruising I fear it is the latter. Indeed, we  are very close to the minimum they'd need to prepare. Fingers are still crossed but only just.

[Aussieflyer]

1 hour ago, turtlemichael said:

Now does this mean they are getting ready to sail or that they have run out of clean sheets?  I am jesting, of course.  As there has been no news in Australia about the key states opening to cruising I fear it is the latter. Indeed, we  are very close to the minimum they'd need to prepare. Fingers are still crossed but only just.

Yes timing is getting interesting and no real decision. I fear that with P&O pushing out its start date as there is no security of commencement, Silversea will make the decision to not bother with the remaining season here. But then I could be a naysayer.😃

[cruisingaussies]

3 hours ago, Aussieflyer said:

SIlver Muse has moved up to LA and is docked at present. 

Sorry to be the Voice of Doom but she did this a few weeks ago when we all had hopes of the December/January cruises happening.  Just a guess but I think she must be stocking up on provisions for the skeleton crew on board.

With absolutely no decisions, let alone any form of a plan, from the Fed, it really looks as if Silversea will join all the other cruise lines in cancelling this down under cruise season.  Such a shame for all whose jobs depend on it and it could have been avoided.

[Aussieflyer]

Not the voice of doom, more like the voice of reality! Yes, I remember, she did the same thing a while back and see now she is on the way back to San Diego (to mooch around out at sea I think).

[Stickman1990]

32 minutes ago, Aussieflyer said:

Not the voice of doom

 

Oh well if they pull the plug on these cruises then it will be another chunk of FCC with the additional bonus added - they've got to sail again eventually!

[PaulMCO]

Besides the situation downunder, the Japan reopening also effects your cruises.  If Japan does not reopen in March, makes no sense to send here down for a short season when the next sure cruises will be from Alaska.

[Stickman1990]

Looks like the cruises are toast I'm afraid

 

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/news/seven-days-out-from-the-end-of-australias-cruise-ban-heres-the-latest-on-what-may-happen

The Federal Government has announced the almost two-year ban on foreign flagged cruise ships will be extended until February 17 – in another blow to the local cruise industry and thousands of families holidays. Health Minister Greg Hunt made the announcement tonight, citing the new virus variant Omicron.

“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,” said the minister’s statement.

 

Edited December 10, 2021 by Stickman1990