Spread the love
Post Views: 8

The New Zealand Government has issued what appears to be a clear slap in the face by to luxury expedition cruise line PONANT, which has resulted in the cancellation of  PONANT’s seven fully booked season of expedition voyages in New Zealand for New Zealanders, on board PONANT’s small expedition ship Le Lapérouse.

PONANT says that New Zealand Department of Immigration declined to approve visas for 61 of the ship’s 90 crew, with visas issued for 29 technical crew, however INZ were not prepared to issue visas to the 61 hotel staff, although PONANT says that it submitted detailed applications, including the numbers, and nationality makeup of the crew to arrive on the ship and the Ministry of Health issued an approval in mid-December.

By its about turn, declining the visas for the hotel crew, the New Zealand Government appears to be demonstrating what appears to be woeful and patent lack of understanding of how the cruise industry works and a loss of faith by cruise operators in the New Zealand government, in what also appears to be a breach of approvals already given, which may have long term impact on New Zealand cruising.

The New Zealand Department of Immigration had already provided approval conditions for Le Lapérouse to operate with a limit of 100 guests, within NZ waters, for New Zealand passengers only, with which PONANT complied fully, with Le Lapérouse and her full complement of 90 crew mobilised under strict Covid isolation and multiple testing protocols, sailing from her anchorage off Jakarta on January 10 for New Zealand, with this plan enabling the vessel to enter safely and place no pressure on the in-demand MIQ beds in NZ.

Health officials were also scheduled to test all crew upon arrival on 30 January.

After travelling more than 3,600 nautical miles, PONANT was advised on 27 January that the visa applications for the hotel department officers and crew were not considered critical to the ship’s entry to NZ and the applications declined, which to industry experts, demonstrates a complete lack of knowledge and understanding of cruise ship operations by the New Zealand Government, which could have a much more severe longer term impact.

This action begs the question to the New Zealand Government that if the 29 technical crew were to be let into New Zealand, but not the 61 hotel crew, then a cruise ship operating without its hotel staff makes no sense whatsoever, so why would Le Lapérouse be visiting New Zealand other than to operate the cruises of which the New Zealand Government were fully aware and had already given approval on which it appears they reneged.

In this what looks like highly unprofessional behaviour by the New Zealand Government, PONANT was advised by New Zealand Government after sailing 3,600 miles from Noumea with the required approvals already in place and very close to new Zealand, that the ship must not enter the 200 mile NZ Exclusive Economic Zone otherwise face arrest with imprisonment penalties for the ship’s Officers and Company Management.

Even more amazingly, the ship was also instructed by INZ to turnaround and go elsewhere and as the ship was low on fuel, the only safe option was to apply for entry to New Caledonia which was granted allowing the ship to arrive yesterday.

PONANT says that this forced cancellation is devastating not only to PONANT, and not only significantly disrupt the travel plans of some 650+ New Zealanders, but also cause up to $6m in direct economic loss to food, beverage, ground operator and other SMEs across the country supplying the vessel, in addition to eliminating income again from the New Zealand travel agency community, and be devastating news to the 16 Kiwis already contracted to work onboard for two months, to lose their income.

PONANT says that worryingly this decision by INZ places great uncertainty about the future for not only the high yielding Expedition Cruise sector but to the $670 million economic benefit the Cruise Industry generates for the country, with PONANT having invested millions of dollars promoting New Zealand internationally, and operating in NZ seasonally for the past 7 years.

PONANT says though that they hope there is a quick review of the processes for expedition ships to operate in New Zealand and that the 2021-2022 season can be saved.

In the meantime, Kevin O’Sullivan CEO of the New Zealand Cruise Association says that they are devastated to learn today that Ponant has been forced to cease its plans to bring Le Laperouse to New Zealand, offering local cruises for Kiwis only.

He adds that Ponant was granted permission to operate by the Ministry of Health, in consultation with other Departments, in late December 2020, only to be denied entry by Immigration New Zealand at the last moment prior to arriving in New Zealand and that many once-flourishing Kiwi companies country-wide are dependent on the cruise industry and are now even more concerned for their livelihoods, with Le Laperouse having safely brought more than $6m to New Zealand’s tourism economy.

He said, “This cruel blow will be even more keenly felt within our harder hit regional communities”, and “Now all opportunity has gone for this season and with it the small glimmer of hope that we all had:, adding, “The industry has been abandoned by our Government.”

Mr O’Sullivan said, New Zealand Government departments must work better together, adding, “We deserve that as a nation.”  “We must start working together to provide a pathway for resumption.”  “It can be done.”  “This should never have happened and this has, sadly, badly tarnished our country’s previous cruise-friendly reputation.”

He added that NZCA has requested meetings with Tourism Minister Stuart Nash since he has taken office but requests so far have been deferred.

What do you think of this debacle – please give us your views in Comments below.

A report by John Alwyn-Jones