Majestic Princess returns to Sydney with 800 COVID-19 cases onboard (updated)

It is the biggest known shipboard outbreak since Ruby Princess arrived in Sydney from a cruise to New Zealand on March 19, 2020, with hundreds of infected passengers.

Majestic Princess was carrying 3,300 passengers and 1,300 crew.

‘We understand this current wave of COVID-19 is concerning to many in the community and we take our responsibility in keeping everyone safe very seriously,’ said Stuart Allison, SVP Asia Pacific, UK & Europe for Princess Cruises. 

Private transport

‘We are working with all guests who have tested positive for COVID-19 to assist them with accessing private transport and accommodation to continue isolation when they disembark,'  Allison said. 

‘All positive cases will be separated from non-impacted guests.’

Allison said all disembarking passengers had undertaken a rapid antigen test in the past 24 hours and that all passengers would be masked, regardless of COVID status.

NSW Health tier three transmission level

‘We continue to work closely with NSW Health and thank them for their support as our highly skilled crew continue to manage these cases,’ Allison said. 

NSW Health assessed the Majestic Princess’ COVID-19 risk level as ‘tier three,’ which is the highest in its cruise ship classification and indicates a ‘high level of transmission.’ Tier three means more than 10% of those onboard tested positive.

Saturday night update

Due to the staged, socially distanced disembarkation and thorough cleaning of the ship, there was a slight delay to the departure of Majestic Princess Saturday night on her next eight-day round cruise to Tasmania.

‘We are working closely with state governments and respective health departments ahead of her arrival,’ a Princess Cruises spokesperson said.

Majestic Princess will sail to Melbourne, Hobart, Port Arthur and Eden, arriving in Melbourne next Monday.

Refunds or credit transfers were available to passengers who chose not to join this voyage.

Princess says ‘thank you’

Princess Cruises issued a statement saying it is thankful for the hard work of all involved in the disembarkation of Majestic Princess in Sydney on Saturday. 

‘This extends to the crew on the ship and ground, NSW Health and Port Authority of NSW for their support with assisting guests,’ it said.

‘At a time when New South Wales is faced with a rapid rise of COVID cases, it is critical everyone plays their part in keeping the community safe and that includes tourism operators.

‘We have been planning for many months that at some point we were going to see a surge in community transmission and that it was likely we would see that reflected onboard.

‘Finally, to all guests who did the right thing by themselves, other guests and the community, we thank you.’