Royal Caribbean Group extends local cruise pause yet again

Sydney, Australia - March 18, 2014: The Rhapsody of the Seas cruise ship, operated by Royal Caribbean International, reverses past the Sydney Opera House as it prepares to depart on a trip at sunset.

Royal Caribbean Group has extended its suspension of cruises departing from Australia and New Zealand until 30 April 2021.

Last month, the group announced it would extend its cruise pause past the 17 December date set by the Australian government for the lifting of the human biosecurity emergency period, to include all Aussie and New Zealand sailings on or before 31 January 2021.

In a statement, Royal Caribbean Group said it is still working closely with the Healthy Sail Panel and local health and government authorities, to establish strong health and safety protocols.

“While we finalise our local plans for a safe resumption of cruising, we’ll be extending our suspension of sailings to include all current itineraries departing Australia and New Zealand on or before 30 April 2021. This allows our guests time to make alternative holiday arrangements,” the company said.

“Globally, we’ll be extending the suspension of international sailings to include those departing on or before 28 February 2021, excluding sailings from Singapore and China.”

The Healthy Sail Panel is a group of experts formed by Royal Caribbean Group and Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings to produce stronger health and safety standards in response to the global pandemic.

The panel is tasked with collaboratively developing recommendations for cruise lines to bolster their public health response to COVID-19, improve safety and prepare for the safe resumption of operations.

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