Cruise Lines International Association’s Joel Katz says the cruise industry is hoping for a staggered re-opening amid Australia’s increasing success in stemming the virus. Mr Katz said the industry was continuing to engage with the government and had developed robust protocols as it strives toward safely reopening.
“Our success in Australia, of stemming the virus, gives us an opportunity to offer local cruises to locals,” he said. “It’s really about us working with the government to understand how do we bring those ships safely into the country to safely manage phased resumption.” Cruise ships in Australia have been out of action since March 18 following high-profile incidents like the Ruby Princess debacle, which has been linked to hundreds of cases of COVID-19 and at least 22 deaths.