Cruise

The country's government has announced that a suspension on cruise ships carrying more than 100 passengers will now remain in place until at least 28 February 2022. Also extended is an order prohibiting pleasure craft in Canadian Arctic waters, except for those used by residents of the region.

The government of Australia has announced that it will extend a cruise ship suspension for another three months and extend its ban on outbound international travel; the ban was set to expire on 17 December, but is now set to cease on 17 March 2021. A government spokesman said the existing restrictions that sit under the associated emergency declaration will remain in place including limitations on outbound international travel, limitations on the movement of cruise vessels, and restrictions on the operation of retail stores at international airports.

The cruise line announced yesterday, 3 December, that it has cancelled its remaining sailings through to February 2021 due to concerns over COVID-19. The operator is also moving the inaugural U.S. sailing of its Mardi Gras ship to April 24, 2021.

All major cruise lines in the U.S. have cancelled their sailings until at least March 2021, according to reports; statements from major cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian also confirm this. Royal Caribbean says all sailings, with the exception of those from Singapore and China, have been cancelled until at least that date.

The cruise line's 'Quantum of the Seas' vessel departed Singapore yesterday, 1 December, making it Royal Caribbean International's first sailing since the global cruise shutdown in March. The ship departed at less than 30% capacity with approximately 1,100 guests on a two-day 'ocean getaway', before the cruise line launches planned itineraries of three and four days through to mid-March 2021. The cruises are exclusive to residents of Singapore.