Cruise companies wait for Asia and Australia to resume cruises

Tuesday, March 29, 2022

Only a few cruises have left Singapore and Hong Kong for Australia since the pandemic began. The Australian market has been the slowest to recover since the pandemic has been slowing down. Their market has also been one of the last to come back with any strength across the world.

Australia had previously stated that starting 21st February, it would allow international visitors to enter the country. However, a restarting the cruises were not a part of the plan.  Their cruise ban was extended by two months, until April 17.

Australia’s peak summer cruise season is the U.S.’s winter, which means that by the time the country’s cruise ban is lifted April 17, the season is essentially over. Many cruise ships have postponed their reentry for another year.

CLIA Australasia’s managing director, Joel Katz in a recent statement has said that it was an important decision to let international travellers to come to Australia, will revive the tourism industry in Australia that had stagnated in the country,

However, Australia is still one of the only major cruise markets in the world with no government plan for reviving domestic cruising. According to their estimates out of the 86 countries around the world that have reopened to cruise, only a handful are in the Australasia region. 

John Padgett, the president of the Princess Cruise Line, on February had said that the Diamond Princess’ return to Japan was being postponed until at least June. Their focus continues to get the entire Princess fleet back in services that remain open. He hopes that when the Australian cruise market reopens, the company will be able to resume their operations.

On 10th February, Sapphire Princess would launch the line’s first summer sailings from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, Hawaii and the California coast after canceling its planned season of sailings from Hong Kong to Australia and roundtrip Sydney cruises through October.

Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley reaffirmed Royal Caribbean‘s commitment to the China market despite its ups and downs. He has further stated that the Royal Caribbean is even looking to fill a possible void left by troubled cruise operator Genting Hong Kong.  

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