Cruise ships pose a huge threat
So we have at least six cruise ships sitting off the NSW coast, refusing to go home, even though Australia has refuelled/restocked them for the voyage and removed to ICU any sick crew/passengers.
Carnival is appealing to our government to reconsider and repatriate hundred of crew and passsengers but Australians elsewhere around the world are not being helped buy other less "soft touch" countries, are they?
Anyone else fed up with stupid travellers/cruisers who still went on holidays in the middle of a global pandemic? We had to cancel our holiday plans, at considerable expense, and now we have to risk all we have done here in Australia because of greedy cruise companies allowing cruises to continue when they should have been stopped a long time ago.
And now we have the whingers in the hotels, the people finally returning from overseas...one woman complained that the food she received was "carb overload".! Really, lady?
If these foreign crew and passengers are allowed off the ships ( not inccluding the severely ill, of course, they must be helped) we are really in trouble. We will not be able to cope with the surge in illness.
I await criticism from those of you who feel we should welcome every fool who enters our waters but I do not care. We are a soft touch.
‘Last cruise ship on earth’ finally allowed to dock
As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread, the sea has now been emptied of its cruise ships and their millions of passengers. Except for one.
The MSC Magnifica, has just docked today in Marseilles, is the final ship still sailing with passengers, the New Zealand Herald reports. It’s been quite a reposition. The last time her 1769 passengers were allowed to disembark was in New Zealand on March 10.
With the Pacific Princess and Costa Deliziosa, having finished their sailings on Sunday in Los Angeles and Genoa respectively, the Magnifica was the last ship left at sea. It seems she might have this title for quite some time.
The Ruby Princess leaves Australia
The Ruby Princess leaves Port Kembla in Australia bound for the Philippines.
The ship left Port Kembla just before 5pm on Thursday, after a month in Sydney in which it has been linked to more than 600 cases of coronavirus and 21 deaths among passengers who took its final cruise to New Zealand in March.
Crew on board the Ruby Princess say they are worried for their health and have been “left in the dark” as the virus-hit cruise ship left Australia for the Philippines with about 500 on board. So far, more than 190 crew have tested positive for Covid-19 and the 1,100 crew have been in varying lengths of quarantine on board for weeks. Around 370 crew members have disembarked for a charter flight to the Philippines organised by Princess Cruises. A spokeperson for Princess Cruises said announcements had been made on board.
At least three groups of cruise ships, with 15 in total, are clustered together off Coco Cay and Great Stirrup Cay in the Bahamas and about 12 are off the coast of Manila, in the Philippines.
Tens of thousands of crew members worldwide are still on cruise ships out at sea. Workers are confined to cabins aboard ships and most of them are no longer being paid after contracts expired.
Roman Quaedvlieg has broken his silence on Australia's response to COVID-19, two years after he was sacked from his $617,000-a-year post for helping his girlfriendSarah Rodgers get a job as a passport scanner at Sydney airport. They are pictured outside Sydney's Downing Centre Courts in July 2019
The coronavirus cruise liner graveyard at the port in Aliaga, a town 30 miles north of Izmir on Turkey's west coast, bustled with work again on Friday as workers stripped walls, windows and railings from five vessels. Cruise ships were home to the some of the earliest clusters of COVID-19 as the pandemic spread globally early this year. In March, U.S. authorities issued a no-sail order for all cruise ships that remains in place, and many other countries, including the United Kingdom, have issued specific advice against travelling on the vessels.
In March, U.S. authorities issued a no-sail order for all cruise ships that remains in place, and many other countries, including the United Kingdom, have issued specific advice against travelling on the vessels.
One of the five ships in the scrapyard is the Carnival Fantasy formerly operated by the American giant Carnival Cruise Line. The vessel took her maiden voyage in 1990 and had only just been refurbished last year.
In July, Carnival Corporation's CEO Arnold Donald revealed that it would remove 13 ships from its fleets in 2020. Donald insisted that the scrapping be referred to as 'recycling.'
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+22 Five luxury cruise ships are seen being broken down for scrap metal at the Aliaga ship recycling port, 30 miles north of Izmir on Turkey's west coast. On Friday, dozens of workers stripped walls, windows, floors and railings from several vessels in the dock
+22 Crazy golf courses and drained swimming pools are seen in four cruise ships in the scrapyard in Turkey as the multi-billion pound industry languishes in the coronavirus pandemic
+22 Five luxury cruise ships are seen being broken down for scrap metal at the Aliaga ship recycling port in Turkey. With the global coronavirus pandemic pushing the multi-billion dollar cruise industry into crisis, some cruise operators have been forced to cut losses and retire ships earlier than planned
+22 Five colossal cruise ships in the Turkish scrapyard on Friday. The cruise industry has been one of the hardest hit industries with public confidence in cruise holidays plummeting after a series of outbreaks occurred on cruise liners as the pandemic spread. The crisis however has bolstered the years intake of ships at the Aliaga ship recycling port with business up thirty percent on the previous year.
+22 Five cruise ships in Turkey in varying stages of being scrapped. In March, U.S. authorities issued a no-sail order for all cruise ships that remains in place and many other countries have similar measures in place after a number of vessels became virus hotspots at the beginning of the pandemic
+22 Before the pandemic, Turkey's ship-breaking yards typically handled cargo and container ships, Kamil Onal, chairman of a ship recycling industrialists' association said, but they have been inundated with cruise vessels
+22 Decommissioned cruise ships are being dismantled at Aliaga ship-breaking yard in the Aegean port city of Izmir, western Turkey
Business is booming for the ship recycling industry in Aliaga, a town 30 miles north of Izmir on Turkey's west coast
Three more ships are set to join those already being dismantled.
Before the pandemic, Turkey's ship-breaking yards typically handled cargo and container ships, Kamil Onal, chairman of a ship recycling industrialists' association, told Reuters.
'But after the pandemic, cruise ships changed course towards Aliaga in a very significant way,' he said of the town.
'There was growth in the sector due to the crisis. When the ships couldn't find work, they turned to dismantling.'
One of the ships is the Carnival Fantasy, a vessel which took her maiden voyage in 1990, and was operated by Carnival Cruise Line. In July, Carnival Corporation's CEO revealed that it would remove 13 ships from its fleets in 2020
A photograph taken from a drone showing five luxury cruise ships are seen being broken down for scrap metal at the Aliaga ship recycling port
The multi-million pound vessels are lined up at the docks during the scrap operations. At least one of them, the Carnival Fantasy, had only just been refitted in 2019
Workers on the colossal vessels on Friday as they dismantle them for parts. The cruise industry crisis has bolstered the years intake of ships at the Aliaga ship recycling port with business up thirty percent on the previous year.
Decommissioned cruise ships are being dismantled at Aliaga ship-breaking yard in the Aegean port city of Izmir, western Turkey, October 2, 2020
A drone image shows decommissioned cruise ships being dismantled at Aliaga ship-breaking yard in the Aegean port city of Izmir, western Turkey, October 2
A drone image shows decommissioned cruise ships being dismantled at Aliaga ship-breaking yard in the Aegean port city of Izmir, western Turkey, October 2Luxury cruise ships are seen being broken down for scrap metal at the Aliaga ship recycling port on Friday in Izmir, Turkey. With the global coronavirus pandemic pushing the multi-billion dollar cruise industry into crisis, some cruise operators have been forced to cut losses and retire ships earlier than planned. The cruise industry has been one of the hardest hit industries with public confidence in cruise holidays plummeting after a series of outbreaks occurred on cruise liners as the pandemic spread. The crisis however has bolstered the years intake of ships at the Aliaga ship recycling port with business up thirty percent on the previous year.
Onal said some 2,500 people worked at the yard in teams that take around six months to dismantle a full passenger ship.
The vessels arrived from Britain, Italy and the United States.
The shipyard aims to increase the volume of dismantled steel to 1.1 million tonnes by the end of the year, from 700,000 tonnes in January, he said.
'We are trying to change the crisis into an opportunity,' he said.
Even the ships' non-metal fittings do not go to waste as hotel operators have come to the yard to buy useful materials, he added.
It takes some 2,500 people working at the yard around around six months to dismantle a full passenger ship. The vessels arrived from Britain, Italy and the United States.
A man works at a ship recycling yard in front of five luxury cruise ships that are being broken down for scrap metal at the Aliaga ship recycling port
Five cruise ships lined up for scrapping in Turkey. The shipyard aims to increase the volume of dismantled steel to 1.1 million tonnes by the end of the year, from 700,000 tonnes in January. Even the ships' non-metal fittings do not go to waste as hotel operators have come to the yard to buy useful materials
A drone image shows decommissioned cruise ships being dismantled at Aliaga ship-breaking yard in the Aegean port city of Izmir, western Turkey
A drone image shows decommissioned cruise ships being dismantled at Aliaga ship-breaking yard in the Aegean port city of Izmir, western Turkey, October 2, 2020
A drone image shows decommissioned cruise ships being dismantled at Aliaga ship-breaking yard in the Aegean port city of Izmir, western Turkey, October 2, 2020
I wonder if it will become a white elephant?
P&O Cruises has taken delivery of the biggest ever leisure ship built for the UK market - but it won't welcome passengers until at least 2021.
The Iona weighs 185,000 tonnes, is 1131ft long and has 17 passenger decks - with a maximum capacity for 5,200 holidaymakers before social distancing measures are taken into account.
The ship, which arrived at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany on Friday, was originally due for launch in May but this was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Cruise ships were home to the some of the earliest clusters of Covid-19, when the virus infected hundreds of passengers onboard the Diamond Princess in Japan and the Grand Princess in the US.
Public Health England has advised against cruise ship travel since July 9 due to the pandemic, aside from trips in ferries or privately-rented boats.
The Iona (pictured) weighs 185,000 tonnes, is 1131ft long and has 17 passenger decks - with a maximum capacity for 5,200 holidaymakers before social distancing measures are taken into account
The ship, which arrived at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany on Friday, was originally due for launch in May but this was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Pictured: One of the bedrooms onboard
Hundreds of cancelled holidays have resulted in an eerie 'ghost fleet' of ships which are anchored in the English Channel - and have transformed the view of the British coastline from Plymouth to Portsmouth.
The cruise-liners, which would typically have spent the summer in the Mediterranean and Caribbean islands, have even become an unlikely tourist attraction, with fascinated onlookers paying to see the empty vessels close up.
P&O told the BBC its ships remain at sea because its home port of Southampton does not have room for all of them to dock. In August, there were around 100 crew on board each vessel, which was likely to include those in the engine room alongside cleaners, electricians, chefs and medics.
The Iona has an 'Oasis Spa' (pictured) to offer guests the opportunity to relax and rejuvenate in blissful peace and serenity
The Iona will not set sail on its maiden season in Northern Europe and Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands until at least 2021, as P&O Cruises has suspended its operations until early next year because of travel restrictions.
The ship is the first British liner powered by liquefied natural gas, and has a much larger capacity than P&O's now second-biggest vessel, the Britannia, which can accommodate 5,000 passengers and staff.
Speaking at a handover ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, P&O Cruises president Paul Ludlow said: 'Iona's delivery is a very positive signal for the future of cruising.
The 'Conservatory Mini-suite' cabin on the Iona offers breathtaking views across the water. The website states it is 'an exciting new addition to the choice of accommodation and a signature option on Iona'
P&O Cruises flaunt new ship Iona as luxury liner docks in Germany
The ship, which arrived at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany on Friday (pictured), was originally due for launch in May but this was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic
The Iona will not set sail on its maiden season in Northern Europe and Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands until at least 2021, as P&O Cruises has suspended its operations until early next year because of travel restrictions
'She is now officially part of the P&O Cruises fleet and we are focused on readying her to welcome guests during her new maiden season to northern Europe, Spain, Portugal and the Canary Islands from our home port of Southampton.
'Already eagerly anticipated by our guests, crew and the communities we visit, events this year have increased the sense of anticipation even more.
'Whilst our operations are currently paused until early 2021 Iona will not be sailing for the moment. But we look forward to our guests experiencing this game-changing ship as we will continue to offer unparalleled holidays at sea whilst also upholding the latest approved travel protocols.'
The Iona is described by P&O as its 'greenest, largest and most innovative ship yet,' with a 'luminous glass-roofed SkyDome, on-board gin distillery and whole world of dining and entertainment on board.'
The Iona is described by P&O as its 'greenest, largest and most innovative ship yet,' with a 'luminous glass-roofed SkyDome, on-board gin distillery and whole world of dining and entertainment on board'
In September, P&O extended the suspension of sailings until early next year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
The UK's largest cruise line said the decision was taken due to 'evolving restrictions on travel'. The firm had previously cancelled sailings until November 12.
All Caribbean cruises will be cancelled until the end of January 2021, while all cruises to and from Southampton will be cancelled until February.
Arcadia and Aurora have already been cancelled through to the end of their spring world cruises.
Customers with affected bookings will automatically receive credit for a future sailing worth 125 per cent of the cost of their original trip. They can also request a cash refund.
Carnival UK, the firm behind P&0, had previously announced 450 job cuts amid the pandemic.
The Artania cruise ship leaves Fremantle
The Artania has finally left port after a protracted stand-off with state and federal authorities and following an operation this morning where crew and passengers were ferried to and from the Artania.
Some 36 European crew members, including musicians carrying their instruments, were brought to a hotel in Perth's CBD to undergo coronavirus monitoring. The group is expected to fly out of Perth tomorrow, along with around 25 other passengers who were already in a Perth hotel, on a charter flight organised by the cruise ship's operator.
Buses this morning took another 63 people — 55 passengers and eight crew members— from the city back to the Artania. Before the ship left, two crew members were married on the wharf in Fremantle, just near the Artania's gangplank.
A group of Perth school children has written heartfelt postcards to each of the crew members left on the Artania cruise ship, wishing them a safe journey home. "These pictures and messages have brought a bit of warmth and love into our hearts during this challenging time!" the Artania's captain, Morten Hansen, said on Facebook. "Thank you, kids, very much for the nice words and next time we are here we are looking forward to seeing your charming city."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-18/artania-cruise-ship-leaves-fremantle-after-coronavirus-outbreak/12161296?WT.ac=statenews_wa