The scheduled visit of Oceania Regatta on Tuesday, February 4 has been cancelled due to the bushfire conditions, Cruise Eden has said.
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It is the fourth time that a cruise has cancelled due to the bushfires, the previous three were on January 3 and 7 and then on February 2.
A Cruise Eden spokesperson said that while it was very disappointing for the region, they respected the ship's decision had been made to ensure passenger safety.
In better news for the Port of Eden, the coronavirus outbreak is not expected to have any impact on visiting cruise ship itineraries.
Cruise Eden, in conjunction with the Eden Chamber of Commerce and Eden Visitor Information Centre recently held an introduction to the Chinese visitor market in preparation for the February visits of Explorer Dream carrying a large number of Chinese passengers.
Dream Cruises, which owns the Explorer Dream announced on February 1 that in accordance with the Australian government's travel restrictions, all guests, regardless of nationality, with recent travel history to mainland China within the last 14 days will be prohibited from sailing on Explorer Dream's cruises departing from February 2 to March 8.
Explorer Dream is one of the larger ships to visit Eden with a 2800 passenger capacity and 1300 crew. It is due to visit on February 21 and return on February 28.
Global cruise industry association, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), said its members have suspended crew movements from mainland China and will deny boarding to any individual, whether guest or crew, who has travelled from or through mainland China within the previous 14 days.
The organisation said CLIA and its member lines maintain close contact with health professionals and regulators around the world, including the World Health Organization (WHO), and are continually assessing and modifying policies and procedures as developments emerge.
CLIA said precautions would include the modification of itineraries, where needed, in light of evolving circumstances, as well as health, travel and contact screening where appropriate, for guests and crew who have recently travelled from or through the affected area consistent with prevailing guidance from global health authorities.
