Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Splendor was met by P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Adventure when she arrived in Sydney Harbour Friday after an absence of almost a thousand days.

Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Andrea DeMarco was guest of honour at a formal dinner Thursday at premier harbourside restaurant Catalina to celebrate Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ 30th anniversary.

Murray River Paddlesteamers’ new A$6.75m vessel, due to debut late 2024, will operate three- and four-night year-round, back-to-back combinable voyages.

Industry veteran Chris Hall will take up the role of Ponant CEO Asia Pacific on February 1.

Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan are relaxing their COVID-19 restrictions and opening to international tourists, however any implications for cruises were not immediately clear.

Cruise Online, appointed by Swan Hellenic CEO Andrea Zito to represent the company in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific in February last year, named Julie Jones as business development manager Australasia.

P&O Cruises Australia is working with the government of Vanuatu to test protocols and procedures for the careful restart of cruising.

Decked out in a giant ‘We love Melbourne’ banner across her bow, Coral Princess on Thursday became the first cruise ship to dock at Station Pier in more than two years.

Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Parks and Resorts, confirmed Disney Wonder will operate a local season in Australia and New Zealand next year.

Here are news briefs from the Australian Cruise Association’s conference in Townsville North Queensland.