Cruise: Australia’s international borders will be lifted next month

Friday, October 29, 2021

The international borders will be lifted next month, but those wanting to travel by sea are still waiting to learn when they can set sail.

The international cruise ships have been banned from entering Australia since March 2020, following a serious outbreak on the Ruby Princess leading to more than 600 infections as well as 28 deaths.

The ban on cruises will remain in place until at least December 17. Until a decision on cruises has been made, new rules allowing international travel for the fully vaccinated from November 1 means Australians can take a cruise overseas but not from their own country.

Ken Hodson, 76, and his wife, Joy, will fly to the United States in December to embark on a 136-day world cruise.

Australia and New Zealand were originally on the itinerary, but were later scrapped due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Mr Hodson said he booked the cruise a long time ago, thinking “the pandemic would be over”. As the departure date edged closer and the pandemic continued, the Hodsons thought they would have to postpone.

The seasoned cruisers were pleasantly surprised when they learned international borders would be lifted in time, allowing them to travel.

Their cruising company’s generous cancellation policy, as well as strict COVID-19 management policies on board, gave the Wollongong couple confidence to proceed with their booking.

The cruise line will operate with a reduced capacity of 930 passengers, and has made changes to reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 on the ship.

Mr Hodson said that they have changed all the air-conditioning around, they’ve got social distancing, and they’ve got masks where necessary.

Along with navigating the risk of COVID-19 on the ship, the Hodsons also have to consider case numbers and restrictions in the various countries they will visit.

Mr Hodson said he was more nervous about a one-night layover in Florida, rather than the cruise itself.

The federal government has suggested that cruises could return to Australian waters this summer.

The government continues to work with the states and the Northern Territory on the process moving forward, including quarantine arrangements for the predominantly international crew and for foreign passengers.

New South Wales Premier Dominic Perrottet recently said he was keen to see cruising return.

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