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P&O and Princess Australia pause cruises until mid-DecemberP&O and Princess Australia pause cruises until mid-December

P&O Cruises Australia and Princess Cruises have cancelled their Australian operations until December 17 and December 19 respectively.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

July 1, 2021

1 Min Read
Credit: Seatrade Cruise News

Sture Myrmell, president of P&O Cruises Australia, said the decision was made by the ‘ongoing uncertainty around a pathway to resume Australia-only cruising.’

Myrmell said the cruise industry has been discussing a framework for the restart of domestic-only cruising with government and public health authorities since last October.

‘These discussions have been underway for some time and we look forward to the opportunity to agree a pathway for starting cruises that carry Australian residents on Australian itineraries,’ he said. 

In and out 

A statement from Princess Cruises Australia said the company is cancelling cruises in and out of Australia ‘due to continued uncertainty regarding the timing for the resumption of cruise holidays in the region.’

Credits and refunds

Both companies that come under the Carnival Australia umbrella are offering future cruise credits or refunds. 

Princess said it will protect travel agent commission on bookings that were paid in full ‘in recognition of the critical role they play in the cruise line’s business and success.'

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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