Asia & Australasia

Festivities in Keelung on Sunday marked Dream Cruises' return to service with short sailings from Taiwan for the local market.

Shine Lawyers, an Australian firm specialising in compensation cases, has filed a Federal Court class action against the owners of Ruby Princess over the handling of its COVID-19 outbreak.

Nearly 3,000 Indian seafarers from Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn ships are back with their families after being guided through all COVID-19 procedures and delivered to their hometowns by GAC India.

Sture Myrmell, president of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia, announced an extension of the rolling pause of operations in Australia and New Zealand until October 29.

The delay in getting coronavirus test results aboard Ruby Princess before 2,700 passengers were allowed to disembark in Sydney on March 19 was called ‘unacceptable’ during a hearing by a special commission of inquiry.

Viking will launch a new vessel next summer for its 'Magnificent Mekong' cruise-tour. Currently under construction, the 80-passenger Viking Saigon is scheduled to debut for the Aug. 30 departure.

All permissions and protocols are in place for Cairns-based Coral Expeditions to begin operating again from October 14, Jeff Gillies, commercial director, told Seatrade Cruise News.