Royal Caribbean Group announced it will cancel all sailings departing from Australia and New Zealand on or before October 31, 2020.
In addition, Royal Caribbean suspended China itineraries on Spectrum of the Seas through the end of September and Quantum of the Seas through October 1, 2020.
The announcement made on Thursday morning in Australia matches the cancelled cruise status in North America and Europe.
Royal Caribbean issued a statement that the decision to cancel cruises in Australia was made out of a necessity for safety.
The health and safety of our guests, crew, and the communities we visit is our top priority. As we work with health and government authorities toward this shared goal, Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises will be extending the suspension of sailings to include those departing from Australia and New Zealand on or before October 31, 2020. We will be reaching out to our guests and travel partners to share further details and address any questions or concerns they may have.
The announcement comes weeks after Royal Caribbean Group executives hinted there was a chance cruises could resume first in Australia.
Royal Caribbean International CEO Michael Bayley noted that while cruise operations are suspended until November, Australia and China are the exceptions.
"It may well be possible that we'll resume operations in China and potentially Australia before the end of October."
Mr. Bayley was quick to add that "there's some possibility" of it happening, but far from a certainty.
