Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has followed the US State Department in advising passengers about cruising during the current COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak – but Australia has taken a softer line, whereas America said flatly that its citizens, particularly travellers with underlying health conditions, “should not travel by cruise ship”.
DFAT said yesterday: “Australians, particularly those with underlying health concerns should reconsider taking an overseas cruise at this time due to COVID-19. If in doubt, consult a medical professional before travelling.”
The US advisory mentions elderly passengers and so, in passing, does the DFAT advisory. US Vice President Mike Pence, who is in charge of the US Government coronavirus response, said on Sunday that elderly passengers should take special care. The mortality rate from the COVID-9 coronavirus shows older people are more at risk.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns “older adults and travellers with underlying health issues” to avoid “non-essential travel such as long plane trips” and especially avoid “embarking on cruise ships”.
The average age of an Australian cruise passenger is 49. Some international cruise lines favour older passengers and have an average passenger age of about 65.
On the Diamond Princess cruise that was struck by COVID-19 coronavirus off Japan, the average passenger age was 58. The seven passengers who died were all in the older bracket: six of them were aged between 70 and 79 and the seventh was aged between 80 and 89. For comparison, there were 2469 passengers aboard Diamond Princess under the age of 70 (including 386 passengers aged under 30) and none of them died.
In contrast, Egypt has just reported its first fatality from the coronavirus, after COVID-19 broke out on a Nile cruise. A 60-year-old German tourist, who had arrived in the country seven days previously and was taken to hospital in the Red Sea resort of Hurghada, died on Sunday.
Here are the advisories, Australian first, then the US State Department advisory and US Vice President Mike Pence’s comments.
AUSTRALIAN ADVISORY
Coronavirus and international cruises
The cruise industry has put strong measures in place for the health and safety of passengers. All passengers and crew are screened before they board. Cruise lines will deny boarding to anyone who has visited or transited the most affected countries (China, including Hong Kong and Macau, Iran, South Korea and the most affected municipalities in Italy) in the 14 days before embarkation. Some itineraries have changed. Expect more, and check with your cruise operator.
Australians, particularly those with underlying health concerns should reconsider taking an overseas cruise at this time due to COVID-19. If in doubt, consult a medical professional before travelling.
There have been instances of cruise ships being put into quarantine, countries preventing disembarkation of ships or denying entry to ports. The itineraries of a number of cruise ships have changed. Disruptions to cruise ship itineraries due to COVID-19 can have significant consequences for travellers. The situation is fluid and you can expect further disruptions.
Repatriation from cruise ships affected by COVID-19 should not be relied upon as an option.
If, despite our advice, you proceed with your cruise and you’re concerned about the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on your plans, check with your travel agent or cruise company and read and subscribe to our travel advisories for your destinations, including transit locations.
See also the Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) Australasia’s policies to prevent the spread of the virus, which all CLIA ocean member cruise lines are required to implement.
On 9 March 2020, the US State Department issued a bulletin advising US citizens, particularly those with underlying health conditions, not to travel by cruise ship. It advises that the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has noted an increased risk of infection of COVID-19 in a cruise ship environment. The CDC notes that older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease. This entails avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips, and especially avoiding embarking on cruise ships.
Be prepared for possible changes to itineraries. If you take medication, ensure you have enough with you for any delays.
The below has been sent to all Australians on cruise ships in the Asia-Pacific region. The advice remains current.
• Cruise Line International Association (CLIA) Australasia has adopted an enhanced CLIA member health policy which all CLIA ocean member cruise lines are required to follow to address the coronavirus.
• The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is working closely with the cruise line industry.
• If you have any health concerns, including access to your medication, speak to your cruise ship in the first instance.
• If required, you can contact DFAT’s Consular Emergency Centre on 1300 555 135 from Australia or on +61 6261 3305 from overseas.
• The Australian Department of Health is providing regular updates on the coronavirus.
• For information on returning to Australia, please see the Australian Border Force website.
• For information on your cruise destinations, including transit destinations, see the travel advice for your destinations and subscribe for updates.
AMERICAN ADVISORY, ISSUED BY U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT
Passengers on Cruise Ships
U.S. citizens, particularly travelers with underlying health conditions, should not travel by cruise ship. CDC notes increased risk of infection of COVID-19 in a cruise ship environment. In order to curb the spread of COVID-19, many countries have implemented strict screening procedures that have denied port entry rights to ships and prevented passengers from disembarking.
In some cases, local authorities have permitted disembarkation but subjected passengers to local quarantine procedures. While the U.S. government has evacuated some cruise ship passengers in recent weeks, repatriation flights should not be relied upon as an option for U.S. citizens under the potential risk of quarantine by local authorities.
This is a fluid situation. CDC notes that older adults and travelers with underlying health issues should avoid situations that put them at increased risk for more severe disease. This entails avoiding crowded places, avoiding non-essential travel such as long plane trips, and especially avoiding embarking on cruise ships.
Passengers with plans to travel by cruise ship should contact their cruise line companies directly for further information and continue to monitor the Travel.state.gov website and see the latest information from the CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/quarantine/cruise/index.html.
At the weekend, US Vice President Mike Pence told a press conference: “We want to recognise from the experience now of two cruise ships, that cruise ships represent a unique challenge for health officials, and so we would ask elderly Americans to use common sense and caution in planning any cruise ship vacations in the future.”
Written by Peter Needham
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