Keeping cruises afloat

THE cruise industry might have been one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic but many people are longing to get back on board, Townsville travel agent Debbie Rains says.

“Cruises are one of our biggest inquiries. People are champing at the bit to get back on cruise lines,” Ms Rains, the franchise owner of Travel Associates Townsville, said.

Travel Associates has closed two of its four Townsville outlets but maintained most of its staff as it pivots to organising local charters, including weekend packages with direct flights from Townsville to Uluru.

There is also ongoing work arranging rebookings, cancellations and seeking refunds or credits in cases where many suppliers are invoking force majeure clauses.

Ms Rains said a lot of people were rebooking cruises for a later time.

She also expected to see “bubble cruises” in Australian waters, particularly where operators can use small vessels, while many cruise lines had pushed itineraries out to 2022.

Townsville Enterprise director of visitor economy Lisa Woolfe said the cruise industry had been going from strength to strength in Townsville before the pandemic struck.

“The development of this new offering was always aimed at supporting our local tourism operators through the quieter shoulder season,” Ms Woolfe said.

“With international borders closed for the near future, the tourism industry is wading through uncharted waters heading into these summer months.

“As the cruise industry pivots like other segments of the tourism sector have during COVID-19 we will continue to work with the port and wider cruise stakeholders to ensure Townsville stays front of mind when international cruising can recommence,” Ms Woolfe said.

Cruise ships have seen some of the most high-profile outbreaks of COVID-19.

The government banned foreign-flagged cruise ships in Australian waters and recently extended that ban until at least December 17. In its 2019-20 an

Lisa Woolfe.

nual report, the Port of Townsville said cruise ship visits fell to 11, compared with 16 last year, while the number of passengers and crew totalled 12,396, down from 20,679.