| NZCA Update 29 July 21

WITH Kevin O’Sullivan,CEO New Zealand Cruise Association – Cruise Corridors:
Where to now?
We have always argued that a
marine transport corridor is every
bit as sensible as an air corridor
between Australia and New
Zealand.
Of course it still is, but the
delta variant and lockdowns in
New South Wales, as well as a
pause on the air bubble has made
any movement on opening the
maritime border much harder.
The air travel corridor is on hold
officially for eight weeks, which
pushes it out till late Sep, but it
could be much longer, possibly
not happening until we have
considerably higher rates of
vaccination in both New Zealand
and Australia.
Trying to think positively that
when that time comes it could
mean both governments will be
more amenable to working with
the cruise industry on coming to
terms with our plans for a phased
start to cruise.
In the absence of direct
collaboration with government
though this is crystal ball gazing.
The cruise lines have had to pull
back because of uncertainty in
New Zealand and Australia, and
who can blame them?
It’s all go everywhere else so it’s
very frustrating.
Once again it comes back to
getting vaccinated, so hurry up!