NEWS UPDATE: Will cruising return in time for Christmas? Plus island playground Lelepa set for 2022!

5 things to love about Azamara: https://youtu.be/EncZzJjcjqo Join my private Facebook group for cruise deals, tips and advice - the more members we have, the better we’ll get! www.facebook.com/groups/CTGdeals Head to my website for great cruise and travel deals: www.thecruiseandtravelguy.com.au Follow me on Facebook and Instagram: www.facebook.comn/thecruiseandtravelguy www.instragram.com/thecruiseandtravelguy Last weekend, Aussie cruise lovers were overjoyed to learn that the federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, finally agreed that cruising should return to Australia. As we know all too well, cruising has been banned locally since March 2020, with the Ruby Princess becoming the poster child for the languishing cruise industry. Now though, it seems like the tide is turning. The Biosecurity Act currently prevents cruise ships from sailing to and from Australia with its specific ban on cruising set to end on December 17th. Greg Hunt announced that Australia has surpassed its 80% vaccination target, with almost 84% of those aged 16 and over being double jabbed. In light of this progress, Greg Hunt said, “I expect to be able to make a decision on cruise ships in the coming weeks once we’ve got the medical information, but it will require at least one state or territory to partner on that. We’ll let (states) make their own considerations, but we would like to see cruising back on before Christmas.” Mr Hunt confirmed what we long suspected and had previously heard, that even once the federal ban on cruising is over, it will be up to individual states and territories to manage the resumption locally. NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has reconfirmed his commitment to cruising returning to the Australian cruise capital of Sydney, saying, “The cruise industry is a very important segment of the travel market and we look forward to the greatest harbour in the world being able to welcome ships from around the world once again when it is safe to do so”. P&O Cruises responded to Greg Hunt’s comments with a statement on its Facebook page that in part read as follows: “Our loyal guests and the many businesses that rely on cruising would see cancelling the ban as a positive step in the right direction. However, we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves especially given the media coverage that cruising could return by Christmas. In fact, much remains to be done in establishing a pathway before cruise ships can return to Australia. Cancelling the cruise ban would open the way for detailed discussions with state governments to engage and establish the framework for resumption.” In a nut shell, despite what the media chorus might be reporting, Christmas at sea will not be happening and was never going to. The federal government first need to revoke their ban on cruising, which will then allow the states to work with cruise lines independently to allow for a properly managed resumption. According to a Cruise Passenger article, an industry meeting held last week in NSW with Brad Hazzard proved productive, essentially confirming that the ban on cruising will come to an end on December 17. It looks more and more likely that intra-state cruising will be the pathway for cruising to resume more broadly in Australia. Meanwhile, outgoing Royal Caribbean chairman, Richard Fain confirmed that their private island in Vanuatu, known as Lelepa, will be opening to cruise guests in 2022. The destination will most likely make its way on to the itineraries of 2022/2023 South Pacific voyages, but is yet to have an official opening date. The island is expected to offer guests a taste of the local culture and a range of activities to suit everyone. If Perfect Day at Coco Cay is any indication of what’s to come, I’d say we’re in for a real treat. World cruise adoration seems to be at an all time high with Royal Caribbean’s 9 month world cruise in 2024 proving incredibly popular with Australians, being the second largest cohort booked on the bucket list voyage. Americans unsurprisingly take the first spot. Boutique destination-focused cruise line Azamara is also getting in on the world cruise action, with its own 5 month voyage scheduled for 2024 onboard their newest ship, the awkwardly named Azamara Onward. The world cruise will visit 40 countries and offer 22 overnight stays and 27 late nights in port so guests can get a truly local taste. Guests booked onto the full world voyage will enjoy business class airfares, pre-cruise hotel stay and gala as well as up to $7000 in onboard credit. That comes in addition to Azamara’s premium inclusions with you can learn more about by watching my 5 reasons to love Azamara by clicking the card above or the link in the description below. Thanks for watching!