Sahar Mourad
Cruising

Hanging out for a cruise? You’re not alone

It feels like a lifetime ago when we were actually able to book cruises for a relaxing getaway.

Thanks to Covid, that all stopped about two years ago to help stop the spread of the infectious disease.

And let's not forget about the Ruby Princess fiasco…but we won’t go there. 

The ban on foreign cruises in and around Australian waters was extended until April 17, and cruise ship owners are hoping they can hit the waters once again. 

Marguerite Fitzgerald, the newly appointed President of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia believes a return to the seas is on the horizon. 

“Once the ban is lifted, we expect there will be a lot of excitement and demand, and we want to be ready for that,” she told Cruise Passenger.

She predicts the cruise ban will be lifted by the middle of the year and is preparing a complete makeover of the ships following a grueling two-year break.

“We are cancelled through to the end of May. It takes a while to ramp ships back up, when you think about having to bring crew over and suppliers have a lead time to be ready to supply the ships.  

“So a middle of the year return, assuming we continue to make good progress, that's what we are aiming for.”

Watch this sea (space).

Image: Carnival Australia

Tags:
cruises, Australia, Carnival Australia, P&O Cruises