Western Australia changes Vasco Da Gama’s disembarkation plan (again)

Western Australia changes Vasco Da Gama’s disembarkation plan (again)

The premier of Western Australia has once again changed the details around the Vasco da Gama disembarkation.

Cruise and Maritime Voyages managing director for Australia Dean Brazier said Premier Mark McGowan announced yesterday that guests should disembark by 30 March.

On Thursday the premier said all guests would be quarantined on Rottnest Island for 14 days, but he has since clarified only Western Australian guests would be transferred to the island.

McGowan has indicated he is waiting on notice from other states and territories before confirming transport arrangements for the remainder of the Australian guests.

“Unfortunately we cannot confirm all details until the Western Australian Premier’s office consults with us,” said Brazier.

“Contrary to the WA Premier’s statement, neither Cruise & Maritime Voyages nor the Captain of Vasco da Gama were formally advised that our arrival into Fremantle would be delayed until Monday prior to the WA Premier making his announcement to media earlier.”

There are currently 798 Australians and 108 New Zealanders on board the ship. Based on the Premier’s announcement guests from New Zealand will be staying on board the ship until they can travel directly to New Zealand.

All guests with an international nationality on board Vasco da Gama have told the line they are either Australian or New Zealand residents, regardless of nationality, and all hold the appropriate visas to reside in either Australia or New Zealand.

“Please note that we have recorded no health issues with any guests or crew members on board Vasco da Gama,” Brazier said.

“By Monday, our guests will have been at sea for 16 days straight without disembarking the ship or being in contact with anyone who was not a guest or crew member of CMV, which places them outside the 14-day period that the World Health Organisation indicates is the incubation period for COVID-19.”

The ship left Fremantle on 12 February to undertake the line’s Grand Northbound Voyage to Britain with the captain deciding to cancel the remainder of the cruise on 13 March, while the ship was anchored in Phuket.

The ship picked up Australian and New Zealand nationals who were on board CMV’s Columbus to take them home on 18 March and was scheduled to disembark in Fremantle on Friday.

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