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Cruise ships arrive in Sydney with moderate to low COVID-19 casesCruise ships arrive in Sydney with moderate to low COVID-19 cases

More than 100 of the 2,850 passengers on Celebrity Eclipse had COVID-19 when she docked in Sydney Friday after a return cruise to New Zealand.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

December 9, 2022

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

The New South Wales government classified the ship as Tier 2, meaning the number of cases have ‘moderate impact to the vessel which can safely maintain critical services.’ 

Other cruise ships

Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas and P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Adventure also arrived Friday and were given Tier 1 virus status, meaning there were fewer than 30 cases per 1,000 passengers and no to low impact on the vessel.

Majestic Princess, which arrived Thursday, was designated Tier 2 and Viking Orion, which also arrived Thursday, was designated Tier 1. 

A statement from Celebrity Cruises said less than 4% of the onboard community tested positive for COVID-19.

It said the individuals were fully vaccinated, mildly symptomatic or asymptomatic and were monitored by the ship’s medical team.

Departure as planned

‘Celebrity Eclipse is sailing with fully vaccinated crew and guests and following a robust protocols plan developed with guidance from local authorities and other leading public health experts,’ the statement said.

‘The safety of our guests, crew and the communities we visit is always our top priority.’

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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