Oceania Cruises has announced that it has cancelled its Regatta local season due to the Australian government’s ongoing cruise ban.
Regatta was due to operate a season visiting Australia, in addition to Japan, Asia and New Zealand, but Oceania has now cancelled all its cruises on Regatta from 2 October 2021 to 18 February 2022.
A 35-day circumnavigation of Australia was due to depart on 1 December in addition to trans-Tasman and South Pacific cruises with their cancellation causing significant negative economic impact in many ports, same already affected by other cruise call cancellations.
Oceania says it waited as long as feasible before pulling the pin on the season, adding, “While we did not want to cancel prematurely, we also did not want to hold out false hopes to our guests and travel partners”, adding, “We felt an obligation to make these cancellations in a timely fashion”.
Oceania says that guests are being provided with full refunds or they can book on a future similar itinerary, but Oceania suggested guests do so quickly as many of these voyages are sold out or nearly sold out.
With Regatta scheduled to head to Polynesia after Australia, Oceania says that Regatta will operate her Tahiti itineraries as planned, with an additional three cruises added for February 2022, which will open for sale on 28 July 2021.
Nautica is also scheduled to the region on her upcoming world cruise, with Oceania saying it is continuing to monitor the availability of ports, adding, “Given the timing of Insignia’s arrival in the region is more than four months after Regatta’s first scheduled arrival, we are confident that we can deliver an extraordinary itinerary and destination experience for the Oceania Cruises’ Around the World 2022 sailing”.
A report by John Alwyn-Jones, Cruise Editor Global Travel Media and Global Cruise News
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Sir John, Thanks for this update; It appears, that at least part of your very-early-predctions has come true. You’d suggested that the ‘very first international bubbles’ to appear for Australians would be New Zealand & Tahiti… pretty-much on the bull’s-eye. My bags are at the front door, awaiting the day when I can Cruise to New Zealand…and, Tahiti-too.