New Zealand cruise return remains uncertain

However, vaccinated Australians may visit from April 12 with no quarantine requirement and tourists from visa waiver partner countries will have a hassle-free welcome from May 1.

Air border priority

During planning for New Zealand’s border opening, it was deemed appropriate to first focus on the air border, considering this is how the majority of people travel to New Zealand,’ a Ministry of Health spokesman told Seatrade Cruise News.

Multiple entry points

‘The maritime border is bigger, with more points of entry and comes with its own complexities,’ the spokesman said.

‘As with the opening of our air border, we expect to make changes to the maritime border incrementally, in steps.’

Health advice

The spokesman said health advice and the current Omicron outbreak must be taken into account before any consideration is made to allow non-supply vessels, such as international cruise ships, into New Zealand.

‘It is essential a range of precautions are taken regarding how the maritime border is opened and to whom,’ he said.

He said this will take time and announcements will be made as developments take place.