| Cunard drops Australia season

CUNARD Line has cancelled its planned upcoming sailings from the United Kingdom to Australia overnight, as well as the local season of Queen Elizabeth, citing the “ongoing complexities of navigating global travel”.

The season had been scheduled to operate from 18 Oct through until 09 Mar 2022, and comes along with the suspension of World Voyages on Queen Mary 2.

Queen Victoria’s voyages have also been cancelled through until 29 Apr 2022, with the exception of five journeys, which will transfer onto Queen Elizabeth.

The announcements came along with confirmation Cunard is resuming operations in just over a month’s time, with Queen Elizabeth welcoming guests on board for a series of United Kingdom voyages from Southampton on 19 Jul.

Rather than heading down under, Queen Elizabeth will sail internationally from 13 Oct, with new voyages including to the Canary Islands and Iberian Peninsula, and will then depart the United Kingdom in mid-Feb next year to resume her scheduled season in Japan from 13 Apr 2022.

President Simon Palethorpe said Cunard was eagerly anticipating next month’s restart and the United Kingdom season.

“Sadly, the path for a return to sailing across international waters is less clear and we are extremely sorry for the huge disappointment cancellations will cause for all guests who have been affected,” he said.

“Unfortunately there are simply too many international ports of call impacted by the ongoing complexities of COVID-19, which has sadly led to this decision including the need to reluctantly cancel Queen Elizabeth’s much anticipated Australian season.”

Palethorpe appeared in a video specially recorded for Cunard’s Australian guests, personally apologising for the changes.

“While we are seeing positive signs that cruising is on its way back, its resumption is still very much influenced by operational challenges due to the pandemic.”

All guests whose cruise has been cancelled will automatically receive a future cruise credit worth 125% of the standard deposit terms, and 100% of any additional monies paid.

Alternatively, a 100% refund is also available to passengers via a form on www.cunard.com.

Palethorpe stressed that the “interruption to our close relationship with Australasia is only temporary, and Queen Elizabeth is still scheduled to return in Nov 2022”.