Oct. 27 update: P&O and Princess extend Australasia pause, Poseidon confirms Antarctica

CRUISE_Pacific_Explorer.jpg
P&O Cruises Australia's Pacific Explorer
Here's a quick read of some of today’s coronavirus-recovery cruise news. This will be updated throughout the day.

P&O and Princess in Australasia extend pause

P&O Cruises Australia and Princess Cruises, that had previously cancelled their operations in Australia and New Zealand until mid-December, have extended the pause.

P&O Cruises Australia’s extension goes through until February 14, and March 14 is the extended date for Princess Cruises.

Both companies said the pause reflects the continuing uncertainty around the return of cruising in the region.

They are offering future cruise credits or refunds.

CRUISE_Sea_Spirit.jpg

Sea Spirit will operate seven Antarctica trips from Ushuaia, Argentina

Poseidon unwraps Antarctica season, starting with Christmas cruise

Poseidon Expeditions became the latest operator to confirm a 2021/22 Antarctica program. Its 114-passenger Sea Spirit will resume operations there with a Dec. 20-30 Christmas holiday cruise.

Seven voyages are planned following the cancellation of the first four trips that had been scheduled for earlier this season. With Argentina opening its borders for tourism on Nov. 1, passengers will be able to book commercial flights to Ushuaia, Sea Spirit's turnaround port.

Poseidon’s COVID-19 protocols include a full vaccination requirement and a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering Argentina plus an antigen test by the line prior to embarkation.

Passengers get a pre-cruise night at Arakur Ushuaia Resort & Spa before transferring to the ship. An antigen test will be administered at the Arakur by Poseidon prior to the transfer. Testing on board will be offered to satisfy Argentina disembarkation requirements and home country re-entry requirements.

'The loyalty and determination of our guests to travel with us to Antarctica is gratifying, with nearly a 90% retention rate of those Poseidon passengers who were booked for the non-existent 2020-21 season. Travelers are clearly resolute about visiting this unique, remote destination,' Poseidon President Nikolay Saveliev said.