Booked Cruise but NZ Shut

[Limewood]

We booked a cruise Brisbane to NZ return months ago, depart 20th December on Coral Princes for 14 days but now NZ is shut due to Covid-19, paid a grand deposit and mid Sept the balance of $7000 is due, if we don't pay in full we lose our deposit and if we do and its cancelled we get our money back in 3 months time!, how can they do this as NZ is closed?.

"The Government has announced that quarantine-free travel with Australia has been suspended. Further detailed information can be found on the Unite Against COVID-19 website . Check back regularly for the latest advice and information".

 

[odysseus]

Unfortunately, Princess and the other cruise lines have had to cancel many cruises due to covid restrictions, so do have a lot of experience doing this. I'd expect they will put an update out before final payment becomes due, cancelling this cruise. You just have to wait until the date, not take action til then.

 

[drron]

At the very least they should email all those who have booked and postpone the full payment deadline.

 

[Limewood]

I just have this feeling cancellation will be after the final payment date even though they are locked out of NZ, we'll see.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Do you know for certain that the cruise cannot proceed on 20 December? If there is an NZ government direction banning cruise ships, or an official announcement that the bubble won't be reinstated by New Years 2022 I'd say you should have a good chance of getting your deposit back now.

If Australia opens up as planned in November I guess there must be many people hoping the cruise will still proceed as planned.

 

[Limewood]

All I know is NZ is shut now. Hope we can go.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

All I know is NZ is shut now. Hope we can go.

Now and December is a lifetime away in covid terms!

I think it's reasonable to ask if the cruise company is willing to offer an extension on the due date for full balance.

 

[henrus]

"The Government has announced that quarantine-free travel with Australia has been suspended. Further detailed information can be found on the Unite Against COVID-19 website . Check back regularly for the latest advice and information".

One really big thing to point out is that quarantine free travel between AU and NZ was only applicable for air travel on commercial carriers. Travel by sea or private planes weren't apart of the agreement.

 

[Limewood]

I see NZ has cancelled all tourist visits until 2022.

 

[eric2011]

I see NZ has cancelled all tourist visits until 2022.

Where was this published, i would like to read about it

 

[henrus]

Where was this published, i would like to read about it

Around the 11th of August the NZ gov published a ~7000 word report talking about the borders. In short they suggested that borders would remain closed until 2022.

A variety of news sources picked up this story:
Stuff (NZ) - Border report: What you need to know about travel in 2022
Sky (AU) - New Zealand to keep border closed until 2022
BBC (UK) - 'We cannot keep NZ border restrictions forever'

The speech delivered on the 11th was also released here:

Home

A central place for information from the New Zealand Government about COVID-19.

covid19.govt.nz

Part of the recommendations are published here:

https://covid19.govt.nz/assets/reports/Independent-Advisory-Groups/Strategic-COVID-19-Public-Health-Advisory-Group-Advice-to-Minister-Verrall-June-2021.pdf

Needless to say it's not a full back to normal reopening come 2022.

 

[Limewood]

Spoke with Princess Cruise today, an announcement about the 20th Dec. 2021 Cruse expected within a week, very helpful people there.

 

[odysseus]

As said, I expected they'd put an update out before final payment is due, given the experience and approach they've taken previously.

 

[Limewood]

Princess Cruises advised today its still on but will update before balance due on 14th Sept.

 

[Limewood]

Advised Friday an extension of final payment to 22nd Sept as cruise may be directed to other ports from Brisbane as NZ is shut, the plot thickens.

 

[henrus]

Advised Friday an extension of final payment to 22nd Sept as cruise may be directed to other ports from Brisbane as NZ is shut, the plot thickens.

Currently Australia has a blanket ban on cruise ships until 17 September. I'm under the impression this is yet to be extended (although it might have already been). If I had to bet I'd say it'd be extended until at least the end of the year inline with international travel resuming.

 

[Must...Fly!]

The ban has been extended to 17 December

International travel and COVID-19

Vaccinated Australians and permanent residents can now travel in and out of Australia. Find out more about what you need to do to enter Australia and how to stay safe when travelling overseas.

www.health.gov.au

 

[Limewood]

Cruise was supposed to leave Brisbane for NZ on 20th Dec 2021

 

[Limewood]

Was tempted to book same Princess cruise to NZ now Dec 20th 2022 in mini suite, but it's shot up a grand.

 

[Limewood]

Booked Majestic Princess two months ago in mini-suite Sydney NZ return 13 nights departing 21st Dec including every extra, booze, gratuities, specialist coffees and internet etc. $9K for two. We were offered yesterday a slightly larger club mini-suite on Coral Princess 14 nights for a whopping $11K no extras (add 3k now). We prefer Coral Princess being a smaller ship with just 1900 pax, but not at that price.