Cruise Ships off the shore of Wollongong before being forced to depart Australia
Cruise Line Ban Extension Confirmed
First it was, 27 March, then 1 June and now the Australian Border Force have extended the prohibition of cruise lines returning to Australian waters until 17 September.
Aerial view of cruise ships off the coast of Manilla
The move was confirmed in an update from the ABC, which said the extension was a consequence of an extension by the Governor General, based on the human bio-security emergency period.
Last week Health Minister, Greg Hunt, reiterated that he was determined “to prohibit the arrival at an Australian port of any international cruise ship that has left a foreign port”. Restrictions are affecting direct arrivals and round-trip cruises from Australia.
28 ships have been forced to depart Australian waters, many who were home-ported in Australia, with most cruising to anchor off the shore of the Philippines and await the signal to return.
Last week Health Minister, Greg Hunt, reiterated that he was determined “to prohibit the arrival at an Australian port of any international cruise ship that has left a foreign port”. Restrictions are affecting direct arrivals and round-trip cruises from Australia.
28 ships have been forced to depart Australian waters, many who were home-ported in Australia, with most cruising to anchor off the shore of the Philippines and await the signal to return.
The announcement prompted an immediate response from Carnival Australia, confirming the suspension of local operations of Carnival P&O and Princess until 17 September in line with the new direction.