mattymay

According to early pictures of the build, Icon is of a similar width to Symphony of the Seas when comparing images at the same stage. At 218,000 GT she's not far behind the early Oasis class ships.

No timelines but here is the plan released today .. the question is which phase will cruising start? I guess some kind of plan is better than nothing, but with under 8% fully vaccinated, we're still a long way off Phase 2. I guess the cruise lines are hopeful by not cancelling the whole season at once, but I agree with @CruisingOzcan't see it happening.

Uh-oh

P&O as well. Same parent company obviously, Carnival have also removed everything before 25th Nov from website. I'm just gonna take the refund and book a land holiday. I still have Jan and Feb bookings that look like they will survive the cut for now.

This is the problem. Locking down over small number of cases is not conducive to starting cruising. We as a country are not learning to live with COVID properly. This suppression/lockdown cycle is getting us nowhere.

Looks like it!

Hmm.. I have flights from Melbourne to Brisbane that I can't cancel.

Early November cruise here as well. I'm guessing they will cancel a few months at a time.

That's if you can get out by Jan/Feb? Unless you have some kind of exemption I don't see international travel for the regular person available by then either.

Royal Caribbean, which was to have had four ships, Serenade, Radiance, Ovation and Quantum of the Seas homeported in Australia when the wave season was to have started in September, has told Cruise Passenger the deployment is under a “full review”. A spokesperson said: “In response to the Australian Government’s extension of the international cruise ban, we are currently completing a full review of our upcoming summer program and will announce any necessary changes in the coming weeks. As the Cruise Lines International Association said yesterday, we urge the government to commence discussions with the industry to take real steps towards establishing a plan for future cruise operations.” https://cruisepassenger.com.au/australias-cruise-season-hangs-by-a-thread-as-royal-caribbean-puts-ship-deployment-under-review/

Cunard is the first line to cancel full 2021/22 season. Who's next? https://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/coronavirus-cruise-line-pulls-pin-on-voyages-around-australia/news-story/cca806e022024e11e916df8f674ac64c

One month before the season beings... does this leave enough time? You would hope they come up with some kind of framework over the next 3 months and not deliver it on Sept 18th.

As expected..

More info here: https://www.google.com.au/amp/s/7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/first-look-aussies-start-to-receive-the-first-covid-vaccination-certificates-c-3054493.amp

I’m not talking about the immunisation history.. but there is a ‘digital certificate’ that appears which you can download to your phone, etc once you have had the second dose.

You can download your Covid vax certificate from MyGov (Medicare). I am guessing this is the 'passport' or what you will be required to show before travelling??

Well, Tehan said he'd work on it, but I think you are probably right.

I think we have almost taken the lead here in Victoria. Just need a small outbreak/lockdown to get people going. As of this morning I am fully vaccinated and ready to cruise!!!!!! The cruise ban expires in 8 days. An announcement coming in the next few days I am guessing from previous extensions. Will it be good news?

Thanks! That’s exactly why I’m looking for!

What is the date of the first Royal Caribbean North American cruise? Been reading the same stuff over and over for the last year and half and can no longer be bothered keeping up. Would like to know when I should check back for some real cruising action?

Just released up until April 2023 not long ago, so I am guessing towards the end of the year.

Yes, will open to South Pacific soon but I bet that wont include ships.

Haha, and now so many people want it that the booking system crashed and they can't get it!

Well... this latest outbreak of 26 new community transmitted cases triggering a 7 day complete lockdown is another step backwards. Victims of our own success. Any more than a few cases is now a cause for concern and everything gets shutdown. This strategy is not good news for cruising. With less than 2% fully vaccinated, this season is officially all but over.