When Will Cruises Resume in Australia – Updated Details

Last updated on Sep 5th, 2024 by Heena Ganotra

When the country implemented one of the strictest lockdowns around two years ago, many people were forced to cancel their plans and wondered, ‘when will cruises resume in Australia?’ After several months of intense social distancing and insolation, people are eager to get back to their regular activities. They want to take a break and explore beyond the four walls of their home. Fortunately, you no longer need to wonder when will cruising resume in Australia because the restrictions have finally been relaxed. 

Australia Cruise Ship Ban Update 

Cruising has resumed and all popular operators in the country have started their services once again. International cruises can now arrive at or depart from Australian ports and have been able to do so since April 17^th, 2022. If you’re eager to explore the seas and take a break from too familiar surroundings, you can now book a cruise to get away. 

Cruise Ships Covid Precautions 

While cruising is open, conditions are still fairly risky. The pandemic is still raging all over the world and cruise ships are often a hotbed for infections. Most major operators have implemented measures to ensure the safety of people on board. Precautions for cruising in Australia include:

• All passengers should be fully vaccinated and must provide documents to prove it. 
• They should fill out a pre-trip questionnaire that is designed to determine COVID-19 risk. 
• Most cruise-liners follow their COVID-19 protocols and this may include a test and vaccine certificate. 
• Most ships have improved ventilation systems to help limit the spread of the virus. 
• Ships also have fully vaccinated crews, improved sanitation, and areas set aside for quarantine if necessary. 
• Most cruise liners have also limited the number of guests they take on board. 

These precautions, in addition to the ones set by the local authorities, can help make the trip safer for everyone involved. However, you need to make sure you understand the COVID-related regulations of every destination you stop at. The cruise company may provide this information to you on their website or at the time of booking. 

When Can I Book A Cruise?

ou can book a cruise right now. Most popular companies have already opened bookings for their 2022 and 2023 itineraries. All you need to do is visit the website of your favourite cruise-liner or look at travel websites that offer bookings for cruising in Australia 2022. 

Before you book, make sure you are caught up with COVID-related news and guidelines. It is also a good idea to plan for any changes the government may implement. They may reintroduce certain travel restrictions if the situation changes. 

Cruises Available Now

Several popular cruises have opened bookings and are offering great deals to travellers. If you want to take advantage of the 2022 Aussie travel bubble, now is the right time. Here are some of the options available to you:

1. P&O Cruises 

P&O is a very popular cruise among the local population and tourists visiting Australia. The cruise-liner has started offering Sydney to Brisbane cruises from the 31^st of May. By the end of the year, the company will start roundtrip sailings from cities like Melbourne, Adelaide, and Brisbane. So if you have been asking, ‘when will P&O cruises resume in Australia,’ now is the right time to book. 

The company requires all travellers over 12 years of age to be fully vaccinated. Their last dosage should be at least 14 days before the trip. The cruise also requires a negative PCR test that is taken within 3 days of departure. Unvaccinated children should also have a negative PCR test to be allowed on board. 

If you are eligible for booster vaccines, be sure to take them for additional protectin.

2. Carnival Cruises 

Carnival Cruises are also fairly popular and they are set to resume operations in October 2022. They will start small with sampler trips just into the sea and back from Sydney and Queensland exploring the Great Barrier Reef and the Coastline. The company plans to resume its cruises from Sydney to New Caledonia by the end of this year. 

Carnival Cruises Australia 2022 regulations are similar to P&O guidelines. All guests must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departure. They should also have a negative PCR rest within three days. If you’re eligible for boosters but haven’t taken them, you need to take a test within two days of embarkation and have a negative result. 

People on international cruises will need to be tested between different destinations. Unvaccinated children under the age of five are permitted on the cruise. 

3. Princess Cruise 

When will Princess Cruises resume in Australia? All domestic cruises will resume in September 2022. The company aims to resume a South Pacific cruise and shorter trips from Brisbane and Sydney respectively in October. It will also begin a New Zealand cruise from Adelaide in December. 

As with other cruises, the COVID-19 safety protocols are reasonable. You need to be fully vaccinated 14 days before the trip is set to begin. You need a negative PCR test done within 3 days of embarkation and everyone eligible for a booster shot is recommended to get one before the trip. 

Additionally, people travelling by Princess Cruise’s Medallion Class can decide how much interaction and distance they wish to maintain with other guests and crew. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Will the cruise ban in Australia affect the ticket rates?

Ans. The cruise ban has made people eager to explore the waters once again now that the restrictions have been relaxed. However, most cruises are still quite affordable as cruise companies want to attract more guests.

Q. Is cruising in Australia safe?

A: Cruising in Australia is relatively safe if you observe all the recommended precautions and don’t take any unnecessary risks. Follow the guidelines of the local governments and cruise companies. If you feel ill during the cruise, inform the crew and quarantine yourself immediately.

Q. Will there be an Australia circumnavigation cruise 2022?

A: Princess Cruises will be conducting one on the 11th of October, 2022. It will last for 28-days and it will be roundtrip from Sydney to Brisbane with several stopovers along the way.

If you want to enjoy some wonderful cruises along Australia’s beautiful coastline, you need to be in Australia first. 

That’s where we at MyTicketsToIndia come in. Just request a callback or give us a call on 1800 860 816 and we will find the best deals on flights from India to Australia! Our dedicated travel agents offer one-on-one service and can find the most affordable tickets for you. 

About Heena | View Posts

A writer by both passion and profession, Heena Ganotra is "half agony, half hope" but all heart. And oh, she has been a book lover from the start! Her love for books is what convinced her to make a career in the wonderful world of words. She loves what she does and is out-and-out a satisfied soul with a wish to spread happiness and kindness in abundance. Insight- Some say she is living the best life anyone could because she reads, writes, travels, and makes merry. They’re right because what else does one really need! :)