Aussie Dream cancelled

DREAM Cruises yesterday confirmed the withdrawal of its planned 2020/21 Explorer Dream deployment in local waters due to ongoing concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dream Cruises VP of Sales & Marketing ANZ Brigita Devries said the news meant all voyages scheduled to depart between 08 Oct 2020 and 13 Mar 2021 had been cancelled.

“We are deeply saddened by this decision, however we must take these extraordinary precautionary measures in order to limit the spread of the virus and play our part in recovery.

“We hope that by acting early, we will minimise the number of passengers affected,” she said.

Impacted guests will have the option of receiving a refund or a future cruise credit towards any Dream Cruises voyage until 31 Dec 2021 plus an additional $250 on board credit.

Devries said while Explorer Dream would not return to Australia and NZ in the immediate future, “we will be back”.

MEANWHILE Carnival Australia has not commented on plans for the local deployments of its Princess Cruises vessels, after yesterday announcing an extension to its suspension of Australasian cruising for P&O Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line.

In Australia P&O plans to resume operations on 15 May, while NZ P&O voyages are suspended until 30 Jun in line with NZ Government restrictions.

P&O has also cancelled its State of Origin and Taste of Tasmania (formerly Dark Mofo) voyages.

Carnival Cruise Line also plans to return to cruising in Australia on 15 May.

More in today’s .