Health Minister hints at Australian cruise comeback by year’s end
Health Minister Greg Hunt has hinted that cruising could be back on the cards by the end of this year, according to his response to an online petition.
An e-petition aptly titled ‘Remove the ban on cruise ships in Australia‘ was launched by travel agent and cruise industry expert Richard Davey in May, and called for a safe and responsible resumption for the cruise industry.
Specifically, the petition calls for the House of Representatives to allow the resumption of regional cruises in safe destinations for vessels larger than 100 passengers.
Davey suggested the government adopt aspects of Singapore and Taiwan‘s partial resumption as a framework for Australia.
By its signature cut-off date in June, the petition gained 1,070 signatures through the Australian parliament’s petition website and was presented to the House on Monday.
Despite expecting a response from Tourism Minister Dan Tehan, Davey received a letter from the Health Minister instead.
In the letter, Hunt acknowledged the contribution of the cruise sector to the Australian economy and the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on travel as a whole.
“The human biosecurity emergency period, including the cruise ship ban, is currently in place until 17 September 2021,” the Health Minister said, adding that the date may change based on health considerations and the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee’s (AHPPC) advice.
“Above all, the AHPPC will need to be assured that cruise ships can operate in a COVID-safe way and that the risk of outbreak events is acceptably low before increased cruise operations will be permitted in Australian waters.
“This will be consistent with the broader relaxation of COVID-19 travel restrictions both domestic and international.”
According to Davey, Hunt’s response contains good news for the cruise industry and those who depend on its resumption.
“The Minister is indicating that cruising will not be left behind when restrictions are eased, and as the Prime Minister has stated, that is linked to certain vaccination levels being achieved,” Davey said.
Last week, Prime Minister Scott Morrison revealed some juicy details about Australia’s “roadmap out of COVID-19”, indicating the vaccine thresholds Australia needs to reach before restrictions, including those on travel, are eased.
According to the plan, once 80 per cent of Australia’s population is vaccinated, all restrictions on outbound travel will be lifted for those who have received both doses of the jab.
At that stage, international arrivals caps will also be lifted for those who are fully vaccinated and new travel bubbles will be established.
At 70 per cent, the cap on inbound arrivals is expected to be eased and fully vaccinated Aussies should enjoy relaxed quarantine requirements.
“Given this, and the recent decision from Royal Caribbean to modify – but not cancel – sailings from Sydney in December, I see no reason why those sailings would not be allowed to go ahead,” Davey said.
Royal Caribbean announced last week that it would replace Ovation of the Seas previously scheduled international trips departing from Sydney from 24 October 2021 to 27 February 2022 with 21 short domestic trips for Australian travellers.
It is not clear whether the Health Minister’s response to Davey’s petition means that domestic tourism will increase once interstate borders are open again, or if international cruise ships will be allowed in Australian waters once we reach 80 per cent vaccination.
A spokesperson from the Department of Health told Travel Weekly the resumption of cruise operations will be considered in the context of the international border re-opening and will be included in the four-phase National Plan.
“The resumption of cruising will be dependent on the capacity of state and territory health systems to respond to outbreak events, and the broader epidemiological situation in Australia,” the spokesperson said.
“Any relaxation of requirements would be dependent on expert health advice and may be amended or reinstated at any time.
“International cruising is not being considered at this stage.”
Featured image source: Facebook/greg.hunt.mp
Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au
cruise ban cruise pax cruise ships Dan Tehan Greg Hunt health minister international cruise ships minister for health richard daveyLatest News
Voyages celebrates 40 years at Uluru with two new immersive experiences
No plans for celebrating your 40th this year? Here's a hot tip from us.
SkyDeck: The inflight entertainment you could never have imagined
Forget those external cameras you can live stream while in the air... With SkyDeck you can check it out for yourself.
Second Boeing whistleblower dies of ‘mystery infection’
Joshua Dean died from a fast-growing mystery infection on Tuesday.
Aussie winners of American Airlines ‘Sell Your Way to the USA’ announced
Show me the money! For the winners, Sell Your Way to the USA was worth getting involved in.
ANZCRO celebrates 30th with special edition of iconic New Zealand Book
Choice bro! ANZCRO celebrates its 30th with a special edition of its iconic New Zealand Book. Chur!
Room to move at Cairns Harbourside Hotel with ‘spacious’ new family package
Moody teens can eat two-minute noodles while younger brothers and sisters get to eat free with mum and dad. Win, win!
A&K unveils lavish around the world wildlife adventure in private jet
The kind of holiday that if you need to ask the cost, you probably can't afford it.
Flight Centre and Reforest hit one million trees target early
Nice one Flight Centre, we think you've earned an early Friday knockoff.
New cruise options spearhead stacked APT 2025 program
Just in case you thought you were running out of cruise itineraries, APT's here with a fresh batch.
Travel Weekly announces a new team to helm Australia’s No.1 travel trade title
Some shameless self-promotion from us, but we thought you needed to know who's bringing you the news.
IHG reveals plans for Brisbane’s first Kimpton in 2028
Just another reason to book that trip to Brisvegas. But don't jump the gun, it's not open until 2028.
Cruiseabout’s first store in five years opens in Perth
Perth gets a break from being behind the rest of the country with the addition of the first Cruiseabout store.
ATAS complaints process acknowledges non-economic loss
A High Court case win over 'disappointment and distress' on a cruise gone wrong prompts ATIA complaints change.
Cunard previews new Queen Anne
Yep, this one does exactly what it says on the tin.
Bunnik Tours unveils latest expansion to Iceland
Just as the Icelandic vikings did many years ago, Bunnik is expanding into new territories.
Australia’s first glamping retreat turns 25
25th anniversary gifts usually come in silver. Ours comes in the way of a news story.
Embrace the journey: Traversing the world with the Shokz OpenRun
If you’ve been on the wrong side of a final call in the airport, or missed the stop on rail journey, it might be time to invest in a pair of Shokz OpenRun headphones. Originally marketed as headphones for fitness fanatics, runners or cyclists with a keen to steer clear of a prang with a car, […]
Tourism Western Australia MD Carolyn Turnbull departs
Turnbull hints her new role will see her staying in the tourism and hospitality industry and who can blame her?
DriveAway launches Brit-Euro Blitz campaign
If agents can put the foot down quick enough and get involved, there are some great prizes to be won.
Fly and Stay Free with the Great Southern
Unlike those dodgy scam phone calls you're getting more and more of, there's no strings attached to this deal.
Sober travel and TikTok guide Australian Gen Z trips
Can you call it a sober holiday if you enjoy a few glasses of red on the flight? We think yes.
Travel DAZE Exec Agenda REVEALED: top execs to speak on airline competition
As the industry reels from Bonza's implosion, it is more important than ever to ask the big questions.
TTC: Deals are driving up demand for September trips
The latest market research from TTC Tour Brands shows interest in international leisure travel remains high for 2024, with 77 per cent of Australians over 18 still planning trips this year. Notably, 28 per cent of those travellers are eyeing September for their journeys. Europe continues to be the most popular destination, with 68 per […]
Skroo says Rex will need deep pockets to fill lost Bonza slots
The door is open for Rex, and anyone else who wants to launch a regional Aussie airline...
Sno’n’Ski Holidays unveils 2025 mega famil to Colorado!
Let the games begin - this is certainly not a famil that you will want to miss!
Walk Japan launches Kyoto: Mountains to the sea walking tour
There are two types of people, one who enjoys walking on holiday and another who enjoys sipping Mojitos by the pool.
Which destination had a 48% boost in bookings following 10 MILLION TikTok views?
Here's a clue: it's not Malabar Beach.
Asher Telford appointed General Manager of SeaLink Whitsundays
Telford has plenty of reasons to smile after SeaLink doubles down and makes him GM after buying his tourism operation.
Qantas ‘working urgently’ to fix app data leak
Qantas is looking into customer reports that passengers have this morning been able to access other passengers’ personal information on the airlines app. X user Lachlan posted that he was able log into different accounts every time he opened the app. My @Qantas app logs me in to a different person each time I open […]
Hilton Expands Presence in North Queensland with the signing of Hilton Garden Inn Townsville
Heading to a North Queensland Cowboys clash? Hilton Garden Inn Townsville is set to open, but not until 2026.
Rail Europe ANZ: making dream journeys come true
Rail Europe's running a lottery! You're not going to win millions, but you might just snag a free holiday.
UPDATE: Bonza hole deepens as administrators investigate financial affairs
Administrators dig deeper as struggling airline unlikely to be revived.
Revamped Wailoaloa Beach hotel opens as Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa
Crowne Plaza Fiji Nadi Bay Resort & Spa is open and ready for bookings after the first phase of a multi-million-dollar transformation. Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ premium collection, the transformation has seen the completion of 106 guestrooms showcasing contemporary interiors reflective of the premium Crowne Plaza brand and is a first for the […]
Nielsen Data reveals brands spending big to attract Aussie tourists
Trip A Deal, Virgin and Ignite Travel walk into a bar, blow their cash on travel advertising instead of the pokies.
Kamalaya Koh Samui clinches clutch of wellness awards
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary & Holistic Spa has so far clinched five prestigious awards in 2024, including being inducted into the ‘Hall of Fame’ at the World Spa & Wellness Awards in London. Founders of the Koh Samui sanctuary and spa John and Karina Stewart expressed their heartfelt gratitude for the awards. “We are profoundly honoured […]
Jetstar offers 200,000 return for free flights to celebrate 20th anniversary
Jetstar hits 20 and everyone else gets the presents with free return flights to domestic and international destinations.