TRAVEL
RETURNING FROM THE COVID-19 PAUSE:
Cruising’s world of difference
Words by Dallas Sherringham Dallas Sherringham is Editor of Cruise Magazine (www.australiancruisemagazine.com.au) and Mature Traveller (www.maturetraveller.com.au)
he world of cruising will have changed T forever when it resumes late this year with every cruise line announcing rigid COVID-19 testing prior to departure.
Cruise ships will feature reduced capacity to facilitate social distancing as they attempt to create their own COVID free bubble on board. Forget about packed showrooms and the famous buffets, there will be restricted seating at indoor performances and all food will be served by staff. Ports like Cairns, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach will benefit greatly from the fact that itineraries are being designed to stay in Australian waters. Protocols vary slightly between major cruise lines, but the aim is the same for each one – COVID free environments on board. Expect a mandatory COVID-19 test before departure and a temperature test upon boarding for starters. At one stage it was considered cruise lines would make the COVID-19 vaccine mandatory prior to boarding, but this has now softened with a preference for strict testing protocols in the days before your cruise. The major cruise lines like Carnival, Princess and P&O will require a negative test certificate prior to your cruise, while small luxury cruise ships will attempt to get the Australian winter season underway by enforcing a high standard of passenger screening.Royal Caribbean Cruise’s Quantum of the Seas will operate out of Brisbane in 2021/22 and is currently providing short trips out of Singapore. Aerial view of Port Douglas
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