Exciting news for ALL Vaccinated and unvaccinated Australian cruise lovers.
On Wednesday 23th August 2023, CLIA announced, "Effective immediately; the COVID mandates for cruising that were put in place when cruising returned in May 2022 have been dropped." You no longer need to 'be triple vaccinated, test positive before boarding, or wear masks on board the ship (unless you want to).' The withdrawal of cruise-specific COVID measures was confirmed by Australia’s Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly following a decision by the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee. As the result, I received an email from Princess Cruises saying, "We are pleased to share that our COVID-19 protocols for your voyage have been amended. As a result, there are no longer any COVID-19 vaccination or pre-cruise testing requirements for guests on this voyage.”
Joel Katz (the CLIA Managing Director) said. "The NSW Government had also indicated that its own measures were being withdrawn and that other states were expected to make similar adjustments in line with the announcement. The resurrection of the cruise industry in Australia has been carefully managed since the middle of last year, and thousands of Australians have sailed successfully in local waters. Mr Katz said “The cruise industry’s top priority will continue to be the health and safety of guests, crew and the communities we visit.”
Peter Little from P&O Cruises Australia said, "As Australia’s favourite cruise line, we are delighted with this long-awaited news, which will end confusion for our guests and open up options for their summer holiday plans. This brings the Australian cruise industry into line with the rest of world and means families from both Australia and overseas, will now be able to book their cruise holidays with confidence.”
Cruise lines will continue to abide by their own robust health and safety measures and hygiene standards, and the industry will work closely with health authorities into the future.
Click on the photo below to read the full article from the Daily Telegraph Australia.
Happy Cruising everyone, and enjoy your much needed vitamin Sea!