Thanks for your analysis of the Australian cruising situation, Don. Unfortunately we have a media that is generally cruise-hating, and a slow-acting government. The prime minister, in fact, is very good at acting at the last minute. Just yesterday the premier of Queensland announced she is very keen for cruising to commence from Brisbane, and quite recently the NSW government expressed a strong desire to get cruising going in NSW sooner, rather than later. We wait and hope.
What a sook. Dry your eyes princess, build a bridge and get over it. A slow-acting government? You will just have to stick to cruising bars when they open.
Hi Don, I live in Australia and today we have hit 60% double dose vaccination and Australia will open international borders when we reach 80%. Excited to cruise again. 😀
Funny the world media is reporting differently. Seen on numerous sites it is only 41 percent fully vaccinated. Which is quite low but growing. Can't wait to travel there
Hi Don FYI: There has been discussions in Queensland state government about resumption of cruising. This was last Friday. It is be raised nationally this week. Good sign, not perfect but better than nothing.
My husband and I love the smaller ships. 3600 people are plenty for us. The bigger ships with all the bells and whistles are gorgeous and we'll probably sail them, at one time or another, with the kids and grands, but for us, we love the more intimate ships. Princess, Celebrity and Holland are our favs. So glad to see them coming back. Thanks again for the update. Enjoy the seas! Vickie
I prefer smaller ships . the big ones are just too crazy to navigate. I loved Carnival’s Vista. I had upgraded to a Havana class cabin and I did get a workout going from one end of the ship when I went to the Spa. Also the dinner seating was wild. Go down a flight to put your reservation for dinner down for dinner
We ,too, prefer smaller ships. We have sailed 20 times with NCL and have three booked for next year. We sail on the Star, the Dawn, the Gem, the Jade, the Sun.
I think a pretty good rule of thumb is that if a country doesn't allow its citizens outdoors for more than two hours a day then cruise ships aren't even on its radar.
What? The state I'm from hasn't had any local cases in 16 months, it's literally life as normal here. Once we as a country get to 80% double vaccinated the country is reopening including to over seas travel. There's only two states struggling with covid the rest of the country is doing fine and just awaiting to get to the 80% before letting it spread country wide.
Lol, 2 states have various regions and cities in lockdown in Australia. However, they are allowed outside for more than a few hours. Where on earth did you get that information from? More likely you are not from there. Anyways, they need to get cruises opened up. However, I believe the Ruby princess experience is still haunting the powers that be.
Check your sources. They are trying to stop our hospitals in our excellent house system filling up with Covid cases . Yes I am angry but at people that arent prepared to except responsibility for the safety of others. I have seen this nonsense before but we have done very well controlling Covid . Try going into a shopping centre without a mask here in Melbourne at the moment, you will be told to stick one on very quickly. This is one of the greatest & freeists countries in the world .
@@beagle7622 All of this is beside the point, which is there's no incentive for individuals to visit a country which hasn't returned to the status quo ante.
@@rmpa5727 The two most popular cruise ship destinations in Australia - and for tourism per se - are Sydney and Melbourne. The latter has been under lockdown for over 260 days since epidemic began. I don't pretend to know what the situation is in Sydney but I imagine that it, too, is far from the status quo ante. Would tourists have an incentive to visit Hobart or Cairns? Sure. Maybe such cities will benefit from the lockdowns in the historically more popular tourist destinations - when and if authorities permit ships to return.
Norwegian here: we are closing in on 90% vaccinated adult population now, and nearing 70% total. We just reopened the country fully today😀 It’s possible!
Breaks my heart about Australia..my last cruise was October 2018 out of Sydney up the reef and you're right Don we flew in 3 days early and spent time in Sydney. BEST cruise I've ever been on. I fell in love with Sydney, and I don't even like large cities. My friends over there are furrious they want to cruise so badly. Whenever tourism opens up again over there I'll be there. I highly recommend it when it reopens. The ships dock in front of the opera house!
I live in Queensland Australia. I have 3 cruises booked for 2022 out of Queensland. Fingers crossed but I am happy for Queensland State Government to make the call as to safety etc. Happy for cruising to start up with just domestic travellers. I don't know which farmers only grow for cruise ships. Can't quite see it myself. Thanks for the vlog, Don.
Hi Don, Australia is currently at 52% double vaccinated and 78% single vaccinated with a target of reopening the country including to overseas travel once we reach 80% which is projected for mid November. Various state MP's have called for domestic cruising to be given the green light then also as it makes zero sense that we could fly to the US or UK and cruise from there but not here domestically.
@@gizhou3034 Im guessing English isn't your strong suit then huh?... once the country population reaches 80% double vaccinated all the internal state borders will reopen to each other and overseas travel will also be allowed. We currently are at 52%. Various state ministers (we have state and federal governments) have requested that domestic cruising also be allowed to resume then as it makes no sense that I'd be free to fly to the US or the UK and take a cruise from there but not from here. Make any sense of that or do I need a flow chart?
Hi Don - Aussie here, just thought I'd fill you in on a local's view of the situation. First half of this year, we were well on the way to life returning to normal. We had successfully driven cases down to ZERO, with initial strict lockdowns, contact tracing, and quarantine conditions at our international borders. But then in July, the delta variant hit, and there was a huge lockdown, still in place. All the borders between states are closed, and people in Sydney and Melbourne can't leave those regions (or 5km from their home). But, just today the government is announcing the way out of it - in Sydney's state of NSW, we will hit 70% of adults fully immunised in a couple of weeks, and 85% or even 90% by December, by which time we expect all restrictions to end, and state borders to open again. Only then will it make sense for cruises to restart, as there's not really any other ports you can go to just in NSW - with destinations in QLD available that would at least be a start. Contraversially, we SHOULD have reached high levels of vaccination by the middle of year, but the government didn't think there was any hurry to order them, hence we are playing catch-up now, and were vulnerable back in July/August rather than the outbreak naturally dying out.
Totalitarianism had no end..you do realize there’s another “variant” out there right?if not this second it will be here..they can’t let this unfettered control come to an end..
Morning Don. You’re in my backyard dear. We will be cruising on the first Cruise on Legend in November. After almost 2 years of no cruising, rescheduling 6 cruises 2-3 times I am ready. Have fun 🤩
We sailed the Carnival Legend from Seattle to Alaska several years ago. This Relatively small ship wastotally refurbished in 2018. It is now located in Baltimore. We are very keen to get back on this wonderful ship of about 2200 people. It is also quite fast for a cruise ship. That makes it possible for them to venture a little further from Baltimore than the average cruise ship.
Yes‼️ the Carnival Spirit Class. Fantastic design and floor plan. Easy to find your way around with straight passage from bow to stern. It’s kind of strange though that they would replace the Pride in Baltimore with a ship which is identical except for decor.
I was on that first cruise out of Baltimore (Carnival Pride) and it went great. One would never have known that it was their first cruise in 19 months - it was done that well. Very quick embarkation, muster drill, and debarkation added to the experience! It had all of the fun Carnival is known for!!!
We’re still in lockdown in some parts of Australia. Not allowed to travel internationally for a holiday yet either, since March 2020. Yes it’s like banging a head against a brick wall. I’m also worried about quarantine on return from any trip too.
Australia was the country that let us travel to the most ports at the beginning of the pandemic jan thru March 2020. When we had Singapore Phuket and Bali cancelled we were rebooked to go from Sydney with additional extra ports of Albany bunbury Geraldton and exmouth plus they let off our passenger s in Fremantle the end of March. It was the only place we were allowed to cruise
Well said Don. There are so many avid cruisers in Australia who have been fully vaccinated for months. However we have no firm confirmation on whether or when the cruiselines and cruiseships will return to Australia for our Summer season. We have had extension after extension. Cruise ships in Australia generate $6 billion but here we sit and wait and wait and wait. My last cruise day was 07 March 2020. On a lighter note I love having virtual cruises with you that keeps me going and keeps me hopeful. Thank you for sharing. x
Your comments about Australia were interesting. I spent a month in Australia in 1988 - back when there was VERY little cruise business there. In fact, pretty much the only ships then were those that stopped on world cruises. And, the economy, farmers, stores, etc did just fine. Australia isn't like a small Caribbean island. Their economy isn't based on cruise tourism. I'm sure there would be some impact, but I can't believe it would be devastating to the economy if ships didn't call for a couple years. And, having visited Australia and spending a considerable amount of time there, I can't imagine visiting by cruise ship. SO much to see and do that a port call would be disappointing in my opinion.
Totally agree. I don’t think that many of us here in Sydney lie awake at night worrying if a cruise ship will be here soon. The delta variant came here by plane, and now, as a medic, I worry about patients whose surgeries are put off because of icu being full of covid patients. As with other countries, there are all sorts of people refusing vaccinations (I will not rant about that), so with respect to cruisers, I doubt we will see them for many months if not years.
@@sylviekins You raise a good question. If Australia is so concerned about Covid, why are they allowing planes to continue bringing it in. Can't they require vaccines for flying, or a negative Covid test? I realise there is no way to be 100% safe.
I’m sure that Australians couldn’t care less whether cruise ships come or not. You don’t tell Aussies what to do. Saying that, I’ve also had 2 cruises to N.Z leaving from Sydney cancelled in the last 2 years. We’ve re-booked it for the 3rd time for October 2022 & this will be the last time we re-book, we won’t bother again. At 75 me & my travel companion are getting too old for long distance flights from the U.K, even to see a lovely country like N.Z.
There wouldn’t be an Australian farmer reliant on cruise ships for their living - this was a big overreach in your presentation and I would love to know who gave you that information. Our biggest problem is getting the harvest in due to a lack of backpackers and international workers. Most Australians won’t work minimum wage in the sun and will happily sit on welfare rather than move 100s or thousands of kilometres away from their homes to pick pineapples for pittance.
Hi Don, you are absolutely right about cruising in Australia. I have had 4 canceled cruises canceled. As of now we stand at 53% fully vaccinated. The international boarders will open once we hit 80 % it’s extremely frustrating. Melbourne has been in lockdown for over 200 days since the pandemic started. I don’t blame the cursing industry getting up set. They need to speak louder
Don thank you thank you so much!! Your advise to check all paperwork before cruise was so important!!! We had the 2 day antigen test and they printed paper at Advent Health Orlando center care made sure I said “for cruise” ! Long story short last night as we are packing noticed they never had birthdate on the antigen test at 9:30 at night we are running from Davenport back to Orlando to get all three of our paperwork re-printed with the right stuff sure enough when we get to the cruise terminal today they would’ve said they would have not taken the other antigen paper without the birthdate so glad you had a check everything thank you Don
Setting sail on the Norwegian Gem tomorrow. Been waiting since March 15, 2020. Got to Miami from Boston on March 13, 2020 only to get an email canceling our cruise 2 hours after we landed.
Glad I did my Australia and New Zealand cruise before Covid. I'll just look at the pictures for the next couple of years. Sad because they are great places to visit. My heart goes out to all the people impacted by this.
I think a lot of the problems in America with covid deaths stem from how unhealthy they are. Almost half of all adults in the US are obese. A lot of the Asian countries have far fewer deaths per million even the poorer ones like the Philippines and Vietnam.
Although it’s been hard (haven’t been able to visit my daughter and grandkids), Australia did the right thing by locking down so hard. Obviously easier for an island nation than (for example) the USA. If only the UK was an island, we could have done the same….. OH WAIT…….
Took a Celebrity cruise from Sydney to Auckland, Had a corner suite (Starboard aft) on the very back of the ship, Great views of scenery! I HIGHLY recommend it…..IF they again offer it someday!
We sail on the Ruby Princess in Nov for a 5-day CA Coastal followed by a 10 day Mexican Riviera. We fully enjoyed the Majestic to Alaska, but are looking forward to being on a Grand Class ship again. They are definitely our favorite, as is Princess
Carnival has been sailing out of Long Beach for a month. Well Princess is sailing out of the port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. I will be sailing on the Majestic Princess October 23rd out the port of Los Angeles.
We have the Princess Coral booked to circumnavigate Australia in March 2022. Now we are simply waiting for the cancelation notice and hope they have a replacement cruise in 2023. Having said the two Australian cruises in 23 are fully booked. Maybe they will create another one.
Don - in Australia at the moment, we can't even travel to other states, because my state NSW we are getting 1000 cases a day and we are locked out of other states - our vaccination rate in NSW is doing quite well - 85% first dose and 60% fully vaccinated. It is because Australia is an island country and like at the moment we have about 1200 plus in our NSW hospitals and it is at breaking point, the medical people are hoping that this current outbreak in NSW can start to ease off very soon. Victoria are also having a bad time with the virus and you may have seen the big protests in Melbourne - it is to with compulsory vaccinations and the people don't want to be told what to do. And these protests could very well be super spreader events. This whole current outbreak occurred because Of a limousine driver who picked up flight crew from a freight aircraft from Los Angeles. And this whole mess just exploded - mainly in Sydney, but has managed to get to Melbourne. The vaccines nationwide the states that haven't had any issues with the virus are the ones dragging the chain. There is a plan for the country to open up again at the end of the year. I have a cruise booked for next year on Princess - on the Royal.
Leaving on the Pride from Baltimore Oct. 3 to the Bahamas. Going with my daughter, who has sailed on the Pride before and it is her favorite ship. She's also sailed on the Sunrise, the Valor and Royal Caribbean.
Thanks for the video Don. We are booked to go out of Sydney in November 2022 to New Zealand, although if things have not changed in the area by Christmas I will be looking to move my cruise to elsewhere, as it will be likely my cruise will be cancelled anyway.
On board the Spirit of Discovery now. Small ship, 999 passengers. Like the previous contributors, I prefer smaller ships. Just docking at Greenock, Scotland. First cruise for 2 years. Absolutely loving it!!!
Just a thought- Maybe the reason that the cruise lines started initially with the larger ships is because it would be easier for them to implement social distancing than on the smaller ships. Thank you for the video
Hi Don I'm in Australia, did cruise to New Zealand in Sept/Oct 2019 on Majestic Princess had fabulous time. Was booked on Ruby Princess in March 2020 to South Pacific (Fiji Tonga etc.) cancelled 10 days before sailing. I really miss cruising.
Hi Don we are nearing targets of 70 to 80 pc...fully vaccinated they are also trialling cruises up in qld coastal runs..hopefully things will restart soon even though it's a slow start.
Just remember that is for us to maybe leave to travel bubble countries. It is at least 90% for an international person to come if their country is allowed. Then again if you are a celebrity you can come any time at any expense even our own people. Right now with NSW on chineseHoliday there are film crews working all over the state!
lets be real though the cruise lines aren't giving up on any market they may move the ships temporarily but as soon as they open they will cancel cruises and move the ships back to australia
Hey Don, just letting you know that your statistics about Australia's vaccination rates is incorrect. Please let me know if you want the link to government sources. I'm located in NSW and we are on schedule to be 90% vaccinated in 30 days. International boarders are opening up in 80% which we are excited to meet. Yes Australia has taken the hard road to the pandemic but we don't want high death rates like other allied countries. Lives over profits.
I've cruised on the allure of the seas and ncl dawn twice. I enjoyed the dawn, less people , better food and service. Plus the freestyle suits us better. Allure was awesome, venues were very small and crowded. We are sailing the breakaway out of NYC on Oct 31st so we will see how the larger nlc ships are.
Our target in Australia is 70-80% fully vaccinated. There has been talks of small cruises to start in Queensland. But currently with the state New South Wales and Victoria is in, it’s gonna be a while considering the current climate around covid.
I think it will be late 2022 before we get cruise ships back in our ports but I think the problem is all over south east asia. We can let passengers and supplies embark but a big NO to disembarking.
New Zealand is in the same boat, pun intended, not sure it’s such an economic problem as we are not usually end destinations. I’m hanging out to cruise but if I leave the country I will have great problems getting back in
I wish you would acknowledge that we are in the 4th wave right now. In the US, 139,435 new cases and 2,749 deaths yesterday. There are Covid-19 forecasts that offer we will see a dramatic reduction this Winter. -Frank
@@stevemcgowen you could go read the Israeli medical study but I don’t think you would understand it. I took statistics in high school and college. There was even an entire course on how you can manipulate statistics to say almost anything you want to say.
@@sandrakicklighter2735 This is very frustrating, every time I post it gets removed/deleted. I guess I cannot post links and certain key words, so do a search for these terms (when I did it, the first several results talked about it): “Israel hospital vaccinated”. Hopefully this comment does not get deleted!
We miss our cruise herein Australia. NSW will reopen when we hit 70% we are still locked down week 14 now. RCL are hoping to Ovation down for short cruises in January for short coastal cruises but I think it will be later in 2022 before we will get back to normal. That State premier's hope for a vaccination rate above 80% so we are all hoping.
Don , Why are so many people saying that the Rapid Antigien tests are not accurate . I am having that test done at my doctor before I go on my cruise .Iam fully vaccinated and have the cruise insurance if it comes back positive who cares right? I will just reschedule the darn thing! So sick of this pandemic and I watch your channel all the time ! God bless you
I am booked on a 32 day transpacific cruise to Australia arriving in November 22. Who knows? I think a year back (no Delta, no vaccines) so who knows what will happen in another year. It is my dream cruise through the South Pacific & have started looking up some of my friends from the 70s who live in Australia & NZ. No expectations, can only hope!
Been watching your channel love your approach to updated info you don’t agitate the cruisers anticipate their decision to cruise or not I am a travel advisor for years these are tough times for our industry need to hang tight and be positive and stick together Thank you again for all you do stay well keep up your good work
Hi Dan , I really love your updates on cruising firstly I really missed cruising I have done 9 cruises all with Princess cruises . Listening to you and your coverage you are telling as it is love videos keep your good work
Thanks for your comments on Australia's cruise situation. Our state & federal governments have in the main successfully sat on Covid with case numbers, hospitalisations & fatality rates below world averages. But the same governments have shown a distressing inability to walk & chew gum at the same time, pushing "frivolous" items like cruising & international travel to the back of the queue. I am up to three cancellations, with my next cruise booked for March 2022 looking dodgy. With many state borders closed there is literally nowhere to go other than within your own territory, & even some city & regional lockouts exist. All sorts of businesses in hospitality, travel & other economic sectors have disappeared. There is a price to pay for pandemic "success".
Although not necessarily available for sale cruise ship schedules are generally set 2-3 or even 4 years in advance. Once they move on it will likely be another couple years after they reopen for ships to come back.
I'm going on the Grand Princess September 30-Oct 4 Los Angeles/San Diego/Ensenada They had a great deal so it was only a 30% solo surcharge. It also covers gratuities, wifi and drink package.
I also travel solo and couldn't pass up on Princess deal this past summer for wifi, full drink, gratuities for such a small rate. not sailing until Jan 2. have a great cruise!
Both Emerald and Grand Princess are my favorites. My 2nd cruise was 1999 on Grand with mini suite and on Emerald 3 times, last time in January 2011 where my hubby and I renewed our views for our 25th anniversary. My hubby can't travel anymore, so in our retirement I'm traveling thru you, Tony, Emma, and other CruiseTubers. Thanks for everything you do.
Hello Don just came back from Harmony cruise mediterranen 7 days only 1000 passengers so sad to see this big ship so empty never cruised this size before I prefere 3500 or less but only 1000 on a ship that could hold up to 8000 is like visiting ghost city such great service the cast of the show on ice and the cast of Grease plus aqua show artists and athlets ... thanks for your vids Don more people should cruise again it is save temperature checks, vaccine, testing all organised in the best possible way greetings from Vienna Austria
Haven't really kept up with what Australia is doing in terms of Covid. I thought they were doing a really good job in controlling case counts and minimizing deaths before. Hope they are able to open up soon.🙏🙏🙏
They have no cases. It’s all about control. Beta test for the USA. A climate emergency will be next add on to your “passport”. Look for carbon credit allowances.
We are doing well in Australia with covid compared to a lot of other countries, but at the risk of our long term freedoms, mental wellness and economic security.
What was done to Emerald Princess? I have not heard or read about any changes to her. I checked deck plans on my old Cruise Atlas against their website & couldn’t find any changes.
Hi Don, love your channel Just wondering do you have any reviews of the Cruise ships on the Mississippi river. We thinking about doing one next summer and look forward to your thoughts and any advice on does and don't s. maybe you can suggest the best cruise line to go with etc.
Glad to see the Grand Princess is sailing again. My family sailed in January 2020 and we got off on February 11,2020 two weeks before it was quarantined. Came home to end up in the thick of covid when it hit our area, as I work in a hospital. Still covid free.
Don, Silversea cancelled Jan-Apr 2022 Shadow (AU/NZ) sailings. We were notified March 2022 AU to NZ sailing cancelled (via South Pacific Islands) based on fact NZ would not grant sailings. So looks like Q1/Q2 is dicey right now.
Thanks for your analysis of the Australian cruising situation, Don. Unfortunately we have a media that is generally cruise-hating, and a slow-acting government. The prime minister, in fact, is very good at acting at the last minute.
Just yesterday the premier of Queensland announced she is very keen for cruising to commence from Brisbane, and quite recently the NSW government expressed a strong desire to get cruising going in NSW sooner, rather than later.
We wait and hope.
What a sook. Dry your eyes princess, build a bridge and get over it. A slow-acting government? You will just have to stick to cruising bars when they open.
Hi Don, I live in Australia and today we have hit 60% double dose vaccination and Australia will open international borders when we reach 80%. Excited to cruise again. 😀
Funny the world media is reporting differently. Seen on numerous sites it is only 41 percent fully vaccinated. Which is quite low but growing. Can't wait to travel there
Angelica I think you mean 60% double dose in NSW. For the whole of Australia it’s around the 40% mark
@@vickieandbernie3918 The internationally reported numbers are much lower than the actually rate. Nationally we are at 50% and NSW is 60%
Christian Zangari yes my apologies I am talking about New South Wales.
Hi Don FYI: There has been discussions in Queensland state government about resumption of cruising. This was last Friday. It is be raised nationally this week. Good sign, not perfect but better than nothing.
My husband and I love the smaller ships. 3600 people are plenty for us. The bigger ships with all the bells and whistles are gorgeous and we'll probably sail them, at one time or another, with the kids and grands, but for us, we love the more intimate ships. Princess, Celebrity and Holland are our favs. So glad to see them coming back. Thanks again for the update. Enjoy the seas! Vickie
I prefer smaller ships . the big ones are just too crazy to navigate. I loved Carnival’s Vista. I had upgraded to a Havana class cabin and I did get a workout going from one end of the ship when I went to the Spa. Also the dinner seating was wild. Go down a flight to put your reservation for dinner down for dinner
We ,too, prefer smaller ships. We have sailed 20 times with NCL and have three booked for next year. We sail on the Star, the Dawn, the Gem, the Jade, the Sun.
I think a pretty good rule of thumb is that if a country doesn't allow its citizens outdoors for more than two hours a day then cruise ships aren't even on its radar.
What? The state I'm from hasn't had any local cases in 16 months, it's literally life as normal here. Once we as a country get to 80% double vaccinated the country is reopening including to over seas travel. There's only two states struggling with covid the rest of the country is doing fine and just awaiting to get to the 80% before letting it spread country wide.
Lol, 2 states have various regions and cities in lockdown in Australia. However, they are allowed outside for more than a few hours. Where on earth did you get that information from? More likely you are not from there. Anyways, they need to get cruises opened up. However, I believe the Ruby princess experience is still haunting the powers that be.
Check your sources. They are trying to stop our hospitals in our excellent house system filling up with Covid cases . Yes I am angry but at people that arent prepared to except responsibility for the safety of others. I have seen this nonsense before but we have done very well controlling Covid . Try going into a shopping centre without a mask here in Melbourne at the moment, you will be told to stick one on very quickly. This is one of the greatest & freeists countries in the world .
@@beagle7622 All of this is beside the point, which is there's no incentive for individuals to visit a country which hasn't returned to the status quo ante.
@@rmpa5727 The two most popular cruise ship destinations in Australia - and for tourism per se - are Sydney and Melbourne. The latter has been under lockdown for over 260 days since epidemic began. I don't pretend to know what the situation is in Sydney but I imagine that it, too, is far from the status quo ante. Would tourists have an incentive to visit Hobart or Cairns? Sure. Maybe such cities will benefit from the lockdowns in the historically more popular tourist destinations - when and if authorities permit ships to return.
So you'd suggest Australia align its public health measures to better suit cruise line business needs? Just wow.
Don is a shill for the cruise industry. Nothing more or less.
Norwegian here: we are closing in on 90% vaccinated adult population now, and nearing 70% total. We just reopened the country fully today😀 It’s possible!
Breaks my heart about Australia..my last cruise was October 2018 out of Sydney up the reef and you're right Don we flew in 3 days early and spent time in Sydney. BEST cruise I've ever been on. I fell in love with Sydney, and I don't even like large cities. My friends over there are furrious they want to cruise so badly. Whenever tourism opens up again over there I'll be there. I highly recommend it when it reopens. The ships dock in front of the opera house!
Yeah pretty much just opposite it
@@petercerjanec6051 yeah enough for great shots from lido deck
Fascist need of control vs the free world.. story as old as time..
I live in Queensland Australia. I have 3 cruises booked for 2022 out of Queensland. Fingers crossed but I am happy for Queensland State Government to make the call as to safety etc. Happy for cruising to start up with just domestic travellers. I don't know which farmers only grow for cruise ships. Can't quite see it myself. Thanks for the vlog, Don.
Hi Don, Australia is currently at 52% double vaccinated and 78% single vaccinated with a target of reopening the country including to overseas travel once we reach 80% which is projected for mid November. Various state MP's have called for domestic cruising to be given the green light then also as it makes zero sense that we could fly to the US or UK and cruise from there but not here domestically.
You make no sense at all.
@@gizhou3034 Im guessing English isn't your strong suit then huh?... once the country population reaches 80% double vaccinated all the internal state borders will reopen to each other and overseas travel will also be allowed. We currently are at 52%. Various state ministers (we have state and federal governments) have requested that domestic cruising also be allowed to resume then as it makes no sense that I'd be free to fly to the US or the UK and take a cruise from there but not from here. Make any sense of that or do I need a flow chart?
@@matthewadams9265 We shall see. 95% is the WHO standard for a full vaccination.
Hi Don - Aussie here, just thought I'd fill you in on a local's view of the situation. First half of this year, we were well on the way to life returning to normal. We had successfully driven cases down to ZERO, with initial strict lockdowns, contact tracing, and quarantine conditions at our international borders. But then in July, the delta variant hit, and there was a huge lockdown, still in place. All the borders between states are closed, and people in Sydney and Melbourne can't leave those regions (or 5km from their home). But, just today the government is announcing the way out of it - in Sydney's state of NSW, we will hit 70% of adults fully immunised in a couple of weeks, and 85% or even 90% by December, by which time we expect all restrictions to end, and state borders to open again. Only then will it make sense for cruises to restart, as there's not really any other ports you can go to just in NSW - with destinations in QLD available that would at least be a start. Contraversially, we SHOULD have reached high levels of vaccination by the middle of year, but the government didn't think there was any hurry to order them, hence we are playing catch-up now, and were vulnerable back in July/August rather than the outbreak naturally dying out.
Well put.
Totalitarianism had no end..you do realize there’s another “variant” out there right?if not this second it will be here..they can’t let this unfettered control come to an end..
Morning Don. You’re in my backyard dear. We will be cruising on the first Cruise on Legend in November. After almost 2 years of no cruising, rescheduling 6 cruises 2-3 times I am ready. Have fun 🤩
You forgot about Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas that was recently redone, they are also starting to sail out of Los Angeles!!
We sailed the Carnival Legend from Seattle to Alaska several years ago. This Relatively small ship wastotally refurbished in 2018. It is now located in Baltimore. We are very keen to get back on this wonderful ship of about 2200 people. It is also quite fast for a cruise ship. That makes it possible for them to venture a little further from Baltimore than the average cruise ship.
Yes‼️ the Carnival Spirit Class. Fantastic design and floor plan. Easy to find your way around with straight passage from bow to stern. It’s kind of strange though that they would replace the Pride in Baltimore with a ship which is identical except for decor.
Good points on why cruise ships are needed by the countries and ports around the world.
The Aussies are doing okay by me. Looking forward to a visit when ever they open up. Cheers!
I love cruising out of Baltimore! What good news this! We prefer smaller ships as my husband does not like giant crowds.
I was on their first cruise last week (the Pride). The entire thing went better than expected!
Sailed on the Legend 2x pre Covid. It was a great ship. Really liked her after the remodel.
I was on that first cruise out of Baltimore (Carnival Pride) and it went great. One would never have known that it was their first cruise in 19 months - it was done that well. Very quick embarkation, muster drill, and debarkation added to the experience! It had all of the fun Carnival is known for!!!
We’re still in lockdown in some parts of Australia. Not allowed to travel internationally for a holiday yet either, since March 2020. Yes it’s like banging a head against a brick wall. I’m also worried about quarantine on return from any trip too.
Settle petal. You aren't a rebel.
I’m banging my head too! Let me out of lockdown 😞 let me go cursing
We are booked on Seabourn October 22 Seattle to Sydney 🤞🤞😊
We either learn to deal with the new strains of Covid coming to pass that will defeat the vaccine, or we destroy ourselves trying to.
Australia was the country that let us travel to the most ports at the beginning of the pandemic jan thru March 2020. When we had Singapore Phuket and Bali cancelled we were rebooked to go from Sydney with additional extra ports of Albany bunbury Geraldton and exmouth plus they let off our passenger s in Fremantle the end of March. It was the only place we were allowed to cruise
Well said Don. There are so many avid cruisers in Australia who have been fully vaccinated for months. However we have no firm confirmation on whether or when the cruiselines and cruiseships will return to Australia for our Summer season. We have had extension after extension. Cruise ships in Australia generate $6 billion but here we sit and wait and wait and wait. My last cruise day was 07 March 2020.
On a lighter note I love having virtual cruises with you that keeps me going and keeps me hopeful. Thank you for sharing. x
I prefer the smaller ships. Its nice getting to know fellow passenger and not being packed in with thousands of strangers
I so agree with you
Agreed
I agree, just on the Majestic, for the first time and prefer the 'smaller' Princess ships.
Your comments about Australia were interesting. I spent a month in Australia in 1988 - back when there was VERY little cruise business there. In fact, pretty much the only ships then were those that stopped on world cruises. And, the economy, farmers, stores, etc did just fine. Australia isn't like a small Caribbean island. Their economy isn't based on cruise tourism. I'm sure there would be some impact, but I can't believe it would be devastating to the economy if ships didn't call for a couple years. And, having visited Australia and spending a considerable amount of time there, I can't imagine visiting by cruise ship. SO much to see and do that a port call would be disappointing in my opinion.
Totally agree with your comments. I can completely understand why Aussie is not interested in cruise ships and neither are we in NZ.
Totally agree. I don’t think that many of us here in Sydney lie awake at night worrying if a cruise ship will be here soon. The delta variant came here by plane, and now, as a medic, I worry about patients whose surgeries are put off because of icu being full of covid patients. As with other countries, there are all sorts of people refusing vaccinations (I will not rant about that), so with respect to cruisers, I doubt we will see them for many months if not years.
@@sylviekins You raise a good question. If Australia is so concerned about Covid, why are they allowing planes to continue bringing it in. Can't they require vaccines for flying, or a negative Covid test? I realise there is no way to be 100% safe.
I’m sure that Australians couldn’t care less whether cruise ships come or not. You don’t tell Aussies what to do. Saying that, I’ve also had 2 cruises to N.Z leaving from Sydney cancelled in the last 2 years. We’ve re-booked it for the 3rd time for October 2022 & this will be the last time we re-book, we won’t bother again. At 75 me & my travel companion are getting too old for long distance flights from the U.K, even to see a lovely country like N.Z.
There wouldn’t be an Australian farmer reliant on cruise ships for their living - this was a big overreach in your presentation and I would love to know who gave you that information. Our biggest problem is getting the harvest in due to a lack of backpackers and international workers. Most Australians won’t work minimum wage in the sun and will happily sit on welfare rather than move 100s or thousands of kilometres away from their homes to pick pineapples for pittance.
Hi Don, you are absolutely right about cruising in Australia. I have had 4 canceled cruises canceled. As of now we stand at 53% fully vaccinated. The international boarders will open once we hit 80 % it’s extremely frustrating. Melbourne has been in lockdown for over 200 days since the pandemic started. I don’t blame the cursing industry getting up set. They need to speak louder
I'm just happy cruising is back. Stay safe!
Don thank you thank you so much!! Your advise to check all paperwork before cruise was so important!!! We had the 2 day antigen test and they printed paper at Advent Health Orlando center care made sure I said “for cruise” ! Long story short last night as we are packing noticed they never had birthdate on the antigen test at 9:30 at night we are running from Davenport back to Orlando to get all three of our paperwork re-printed with the right stuff sure enough when we get to the cruise terminal today they would’ve said they would have not taken the other antigen paper without the birthdate so glad you had a check everything thank you Don
Setting sail on the Norwegian Gem tomorrow. Been waiting since March 15, 2020. Got to Miami from Boston on March 13, 2020 only to get an email canceling our cruise 2 hours after we landed.
I really prefer the smaller ones, my favorites were Princess and Holland America.
Princess Cruises will have to be let back in Australia.
I’m on the Vista right now. It’s not full. Everyone working here has been outstanding We are truly enjoying
My hands down favorite - Radiance class ships on RCCL. Best cruises I've ever taken have been on those ships.
Yay! Radiance!
I've never really "disliked" a ship or cruise line. I can sail on smaller ships or larger. Smallest I've been on was the Carnival Tropicale in 1985.
LOL there is no bad cruiseships only bad cruise passengers
Ours was the Carnivale about same rime.
Me 2 just happy to be cruising 😎
@@Rantsfromacar Ruby Princess. Drops Mike.
I was on the Tropicale also in 1985. Our Honeymoon. She was a great little ship.
Celebrity just announced they are sending the amazing Celebrity Edge to Australia from December 2023.
Glad I did my Australia and New Zealand cruise before Covid. I'll just look at the pictures for the next couple of years. Sad because they are great places to visit. My heart goes out to all the people impacted by this.
I leave in a few days to join the Emerald Princess on my first contract! Very excited! 🙌
I am an Australian and I would rather have restrictions than end up in the situation the USA is in with so many deaths.
I think a lot of the problems in America with covid deaths stem from how unhealthy they are. Almost half of all adults in the US are obese. A lot of the Asian countries have far fewer deaths per million even the poorer ones like the Philippines and Vietnam.
Although it’s been hard (haven’t been able to visit my daughter and grandkids), Australia did the right thing by locking down so hard.
Obviously easier for an island nation than (for example) the USA.
If only the UK was an island, we could have done the same…..
OH WAIT…….
We Love cruising out of Baltimore. Enchantment of the Seas is our favorite ship. We have been on 20 cruises from various ports.
Thanks Don for the updates!
Thank you Don for all your updates. Thank you for the amazing job you do. God bless. 😊
Took a Celebrity cruise from Sydney to Auckland, Had a corner suite (Starboard aft) on the very back of the ship, Great views of scenery! I HIGHLY recommend it…..IF they again offer it someday!
I love the smaller ships! Sailed on the Rhapsody of the Seas and Emerald Princess in the past. Loved them both.
We sail on the Ruby Princess in Nov for a 5-day CA Coastal followed by a 10 day Mexican Riviera. We fully enjoyed the Majestic to Alaska, but are looking forward to being on a Grand Class ship again. They are definitely our favorite, as is Princess
Well have fun and enjoy your cruise
Carnival has been sailing out of Long Beach for a month. Well Princess is sailing out of the port of Los Angeles in San Pedro. I will be sailing on the Majestic Princess October 23rd out the port of Los Angeles.
Miss cruising on ships with 1800-2200 passengers. Interesting to see NCL building a new class of ships that are smaller.
We’re gonna sail The Carnival Miracle on the 1st of November. This will be the smallest ship we’ve been on in years. Very excited!
Here in Australia we really want to get back to cruising, we miss our cruises desperately. Bring back the ships.
Do we, never heard anyone complaining.
@@beagle7622 we can't wait to cruise again, missing our holidays.
Seabourn has had two sailing for a while. We are small ship sailors. Viking is the largest ship we will sail on, however 450-600 is our sweet spot.
We have the Princess Coral booked to circumnavigate Australia in March 2022. Now we are simply waiting for the cancelation notice and hope they have a replacement cruise in 2023. Having said the two Australian cruises in 23 are fully booked. Maybe they will create another one.
Don - in Australia at the moment, we can't even travel to other states, because my state NSW we are getting 1000 cases a day and we are locked out of other states - our vaccination rate in NSW is doing quite well - 85% first dose and 60% fully vaccinated. It is because Australia is an island country and like at the moment we have about 1200 plus in our NSW hospitals and it is at breaking point, the medical people are hoping that this current outbreak in NSW can start to ease off very soon. Victoria are also having a bad time with the virus and you may have seen the big protests in Melbourne - it is to with compulsory vaccinations and the people don't want to be told what to do. And these protests could very well be super spreader events.
This whole current outbreak occurred because Of a limousine driver who picked up flight crew from a freight aircraft from Los Angeles. And this whole mess just exploded - mainly in Sydney, but has managed to get to Melbourne. The vaccines nationwide the states that haven't had any issues with the virus are the ones dragging the chain. There is a plan for the country to open up again at the end of the year.
I have a cruise booked for next year on Princess - on the Royal.
Leaving on the Pride from Baltimore Oct. 3 to the Bahamas. Going with my daughter, who has sailed on the Pride before and it is her favorite ship. She's also sailed on the Sunrise, the Valor and Royal Caribbean.
Hello Don, just an FYI, NCL has been sailing the Norwegian Gem out of the port of Miami, which is one of the smaller mid level ships for over 4 weeks.
Thanks for the video Don. We are booked to go out of Sydney in November 2022 to New Zealand, although if things have not changed in the area by Christmas I will be looking to move my cruise to elsewhere, as it will be likely my cruise will be cancelled anyway.
@Registered User It it will need to reach at least 90% before it will happen.
On board the Spirit of Discovery now. Small ship, 999 passengers. Like the previous contributors, I prefer smaller ships. Just docking at Greenock, Scotland. First cruise for 2 years. Absolutely loving it!!!
Just a thought- Maybe the reason that the cruise lines started initially with the larger ships is because it would be easier for them to implement social distancing than on the smaller ships. Thank you for the video
Hi Don I'm in Australia, did cruise to New Zealand in Sept/Oct 2019 on Majestic Princess had fabulous time. Was booked on Ruby Princess in March 2020
to South Pacific (Fiji Tonga etc.) cancelled 10 days before sailing. I really miss cruising.
It is nice to see cruising slowly return!
Many thanks for the update 😎😘!
82% of over 16s here in UK have had 2 vaccines! Good news about the smaller boats!!
Hi Don we are nearing targets of 70 to 80 pc...fully vaccinated they are also trialling cruises up in qld coastal runs..hopefully things will restart soon even though it's a slow start.
Just remember that is for us to maybe leave to travel bubble countries. It is at least 90% for an international person to come if their country is allowed. Then again if you are a celebrity you can come any time at any expense even our own people. Right now with NSW on chineseHoliday there are film crews working all over the state!
lets be real though the cruise lines aren't giving up on any market they may move the ships temporarily but as soon as they open they will cancel cruises and move the ships back to australia
Hey Don, just letting you know that your statistics about Australia's vaccination rates is incorrect. Please let me know if you want the link to government sources. I'm located in NSW and we are on schedule to be 90% vaccinated in 30 days. International boarders are opening up in 80% which we are excited to meet. Yes Australia has taken the hard road to the pandemic but we don't want high death rates like other allied countries. Lives over profits.
I love HAL Vista class ships. Large balcony rooms with bath tubs! Intimate feeling ships.
I've cruised on the allure of the seas and ncl dawn twice. I enjoyed the dawn, less people , better food and service. Plus the freestyle suits us better. Allure was awesome, venues were very small and crowded. We are sailing the breakaway out of NYC on Oct 31st so we will see how the larger nlc ships are.
It’s New Zealand that’s talking about 90 percent vaccinations before opening border.
My next Australia cruise is 2023. My Allure transatlantic is now on Wonder because they rescheduled it from not starting in China. I am happy.
Our target in Australia is 70-80% fully vaccinated. There has been talks of small cruises to start in Queensland. But currently with the state New South Wales and Victoria is in, it’s gonna be a while considering the current climate around covid.
Been on the Grand, so that's good news! Went to Hawaii on the Emerald too!
I think it will be late 2022 before we get cruise ships back in our ports but I think the problem is all over south east asia. We can let passengers and supplies embark but a big NO to disembarking.
We also loved the smaller ships but we do enjoy the larger ones. FYI Ireland is now 90% + inoculated so Comon over and enjoy the Irish ☘️ fun
New Zealand is in the same boat, pun intended, not sure it’s such an economic problem as we are not usually end destinations. I’m hanging out to cruise but if I leave the country I will have great problems getting back in
I wish you would acknowledge that we are in the 4th wave right now. In the US, 139,435 new cases and 2,749 deaths yesterday. There are Covid-19 forecasts that offer we will see a dramatic reduction this Winter. -Frank
Cruising in 50 days of Emerald Princess to Panama Canal. Can not wait
I have a February 2023 Australian New Zealand for NCL. Fingers 🤞
I prefer mid size. If I wanted to feel like I was in a city I could just stay home.
I’m glad the smaller ships are starting to come about now we have a bigger variety from where to choose
Love the bigger ship’s especially RCCL. You word never know there 5k people in there. Big boat action but the feel of small ship
Israel has around 90% vaccinated. They also have some of highest % of hospitalization (most are the vaccinated).
Do you have any credible links to support your claim?
Yeah
That really isn't true, but trying to explain statistics and science to someone who shops for their meds at Tack and Feed is pointless...
@@stevemcgowen you could go read the Israeli medical study but I don’t think you would understand it. I took statistics in high school and college. There was even an entire course on how you can manipulate statistics to say almost anything you want to say.
@@sandrakicklighter2735 This is very frustrating, every time I post it gets removed/deleted. I guess I cannot post links and certain key words, so do a search for these terms (when I did it, the first several results talked about it): “Israel hospital vaccinated”. Hopefully this comment does not get deleted!
We miss our cruise herein Australia. NSW will reopen when we hit 70% we are still locked down week 14 now. RCL are hoping to Ovation down for short cruises in January for short coastal cruises but I think it will be later in 2022 before we will get back to normal. That State premier's hope for a vaccination rate above 80% so we are all hoping.
Don , Why are so many people saying that the Rapid Antigien tests are not accurate . I am having that test done at my doctor before I go on my cruise .Iam fully vaccinated and have the cruise insurance if it comes back positive who cares right? I will just reschedule the darn thing! So sick of this pandemic and I watch your channel all the time ! God bless you
Which god is this. The god of Mars? Thor? Of course. Uranus!
I am booked on a 32 day transpacific cruise to Australia arriving in November 22. Who knows? I think a year back (no Delta, no vaccines) so who knows what will happen in another year. It is my dream cruise through the South Pacific & have started looking up some of my friends from the 70s who live in Australia & NZ. No expectations, can only hope!
Been watching your channel love your approach to updated info you don’t agitate the cruisers anticipate their decision to cruise or not I am a travel advisor for years these are tough times for our industry need to hang tight and be positive and stick together Thank you again for all you do stay well keep up your good work
We were supposed to sail on the Grand Princess on Nov. 5th. 15 days to Hawaii but it was cancelled.
Hi Dan , I really love your updates on cruising firstly I really missed cruising I have done 9 cruises all with Princess cruises .
Listening to you and your coverage you are telling as it is love videos keep your good work
Thanks for your comments on Australia's cruise situation. Our state & federal governments have in the main successfully sat on Covid with case numbers, hospitalisations & fatality rates below world averages. But the same governments have shown a distressing inability to walk & chew gum at the same time, pushing "frivolous" items like cruising & international travel to the back of the queue. I am up to three cancellations, with my next cruise booked for March 2022 looking dodgy. With many state borders closed there is literally nowhere to go other than within your own territory, & even some city & regional lockouts exist. All sorts of businesses in hospitality, travel & other economic sectors have disappeared. There is a price to pay for pandemic "success".
Good stuff, Don. Always look forward to your updates. Thanks.
Although not necessarily available for sale cruise ship schedules are generally set 2-3 or even 4 years in advance. Once they move on it will likely be another couple years after they reopen for ships to come back.
I'm going on the Grand Princess September 30-Oct 4 Los Angeles/San Diego/Ensenada They had a great deal so it was only a 30% solo surcharge. It also covers gratuities, wifi and drink package.
I also travel solo and couldn't pass up on Princess deal this past summer for wifi, full drink, gratuities for such a small rate. not sailing until Jan 2. have a great cruise!
NICE!
We sail on Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam on 11\20 55 days can't wait. First cruise since 2019
Norwegian Bliss set off from Miami the other day to transit the Panama Canal to relocate to LA for Mexican Riviera cruises...
Both Emerald and Grand Princess are my favorites. My 2nd cruise was 1999 on Grand with mini suite and on Emerald 3 times, last time in January 2011 where my hubby and I renewed our views for our 25th anniversary. My hubby can't travel anymore, so in our retirement I'm traveling thru you, Tony, Emma, and other CruiseTubers. Thanks for everything you do.
Hello Don just came back from Harmony cruise mediterranen 7 days only 1000 passengers so sad to see this big ship so empty never cruised this size before I prefere 3500 or less but only 1000 on a ship that could hold up to 8000 is like visiting ghost city such great service the cast of the show on ice and the cast of Grease plus aqua show artists and athlets ... thanks for your vids Don more people should cruise again it is save temperature checks, vaccine, testing all organised in the best possible way greetings from Vienna Austria
Haven't really kept up with what Australia is doing in terms of Covid. I thought they were doing a really good job in controlling case counts and minimizing deaths before. Hope they are able to open up soon.🙏🙏🙏
It’s is frightening what’s happening in Melbourne!!! Total lockdown
They have no cases. It’s all about control. Beta test for the USA. A climate emergency will be next add on to your “passport”. Look for carbon credit allowances.
Nancy Nancy Nancy ….. the sky is not falling 😂😂😂
We are doing well in Australia with covid compared to a lot of other countries, but at the risk of our long term freedoms, mental wellness and economic security.
PS Carnival Breeze has been my favorite ship so far, been on her twice now.
What was done to Emerald Princess? I have not heard or read about any changes to her. I checked deck plans on my old Cruise Atlas against their website & couldn’t find any changes.
Love the well lived in look of your cabin Don, Also I did not know that you can get little bottles of booze on board. How cool!
The little bottles are a perk for VIPs.
Those are the free bottles you get once you're platinum. They also give sodas, beers etc. If you don't drink, you can trade two for one.
Will you be checking out the Scarlett Lady? I will be on the Oct 6 sailing from Miami.
I’m pretty sure Norwegian Bliss is headed to Los Angeles right now as well.
We’re booked April2023 Auckland to Vancouver on the Majestic Princess. I really have my doubts we will be on it.
Hi Don, love your channel Just wondering do you have any reviews of the Cruise ships on the Mississippi river. We thinking about doing one next summer and look forward to your thoughts and any advice on does and don't s. maybe you can suggest the best cruise line to go with etc.
Glad to see the Grand Princess is sailing again. My family sailed in January 2020 and we got off on February 11,2020 two weeks before it was quarantined. Came home to end up in the thick of covid when it hit our area, as I work in a hospital. Still covid free.
Don, Silversea cancelled Jan-Apr 2022 Shadow (AU/NZ) sailings. We were notified March 2022 AU to NZ sailing cancelled (via South Pacific Islands) based on fact NZ would not grant sailings. So looks like Q1/Q2 is dicey right now.
The Pacific Islands are having COVID issues. They don't need assholes from overseas making it worse.
On the Emerald Princess in January. Will see