Silversea Cruises has terminated this year’s planned Kimberley season with the luxury cruise line citing its decision on the Federal Government’s indecisiveness on a framework to resume domestic cruise operations.
“With a delay in the delivery of the resumption of cruising protocols… and with no certainty of when they will be delivered, last week Silversea made the difficult but necessary decision to cancel the operation of the rest of its 2021 Kimberley season,” the cruise line confirmed.
Steve Richards, Director of Sales, Australia/New Zealand said; “While there are many things outside of our control, Silversea remains committed to our guests and travel partners.
“With the Kimberley season, Silversea offers impacted guests extraordinary flexibility and generous terms with the option of a 110% Future Cruise, a Voyage to Voyage transfer which includes a 15% discount or refund.
“Of course Silversea has not forgotten our most valued travel partners and we are protecting commission on these voyages,” Richards said.
Protected commission on the Kimberley season will total close to half a million dollars.
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Silversea resumed cruising in Greece and the Galapagos last weekend.
Silver Muse remains on track for its upcoming deployment to Australian waters in December 2021.
“This gives us confidence that the Federal Government will deliver a workable pathway forward that will allow our guests to sail in safety, comfort and luxury on domestic cruises around Australia,” the company said.
Last month Scenic Group cancelled its planned 2021 deployment of its six-star yacht, Scenic Eclipse, to the Kimberley due to “continued uncertainty” on regulatory approvals. LATTE also understands that Aurora Expeditions has recently cancelled two upcoming sailings off the Western Australia coastline for its expedition ship Greg Mortimer – part of its wider Australian deployment this year.
Other luxury cruise lines, including Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Seabourn, have also shelved their local cruise itineraries in the second half of 2021 to Australia. Meanwhile, Ponant remains hopeful to catch the tail-end of the 2021 Kimberley season.