Travel Updates

COVID-19 Travel Information

Last Updated: 1:30pm 4th July 2022

Travel Aware - Preparing for safe and healthy travel abroad

The Australia Government provide the latest travel advice by country including safety and security, entry requirements, travel warnings and health. For the latest advice please refer to International travel (australia.gov.au)

Current travel health information can be found by visiting International travel and COVID-19 | Australian Government Department of Health a resource set up by the Department of Health. The advice can change on all sites so please check regularly for updates.

Additional entry requirements and restrictions have been introduced due to COVID-19. These differ from country to country and may be subject to change with very little notice.

Please check the Government’s step-by-step Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step | Smartraveller for the latest information.

International and domestic cruises have successfully returned sailing with newly introduced safety measures to ensure your cruise is safe. Please be aware that some ports of call may require you to do an organised ‘bubble’ excursion through the cruise line should you wish to disembark, there may also be short notice itinerary changes due to the quickly changing environment around the rules in certain destinations.

Vaccination and Testing Policies

Vaccination and Testing Policies have been introduced across every cruise line. More information can be found on the cruise line’s direct own web pages, see the links below. There will be additional individual Destinations | Smartraveller advice, and International travel (australia.gov.au) advice for returning to the Australia to consider. This is required for all cruises travelling internationally, even if you do not take a flight. Most cruise lines also require you to have COVID-19 travel insurance, this will be checked by the cruise line on embarkation.

You must be fully vaccinated with two doses of a World Health Organisation (WHO) recognised vaccine a minimum of 14 days prior to travel.

COVID-19 vaccine boosters are required for guests whose second or final dose of an approved/authorised COVID-19 vaccine is older than 9 months (270 days) There is currently no expiry date on your first booster dose. Please check individual country, and cruise line requirements.

Proof of your double vaccination with booster status will be required for boarding and must be from an approved source.

Use your International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate to show proof of your COVID-19 vaccinations when you want to travel overseas. The name on the certificate must match your passport.

International COVID-19 Vaccination Certificate as proof of your COVID-19 vaccinations - Seeking medical help - Services Australia

If you’re eligible for Medicare

If you have a current Australian passport, or foreign passport with an Australian visa, you can get an international certificate using either:

your Medicare online account through myGov
the Express Plus Medicare mobile app.

If you’re not eligible for Medicare or can’t go online

If you’re not eligible for Medicare or can’t go online, you can get your international certificate after you’ve had a COVID-19 vaccination and it’s been reported to the AIR.

Find out if you’re eligible to enrol in Medicare.

To request your international certificate you need to:

call the Australian Immunisation Register
visit a service centre.

Returning to Australia

From 12.01am AEST 6 July 2022, you'll no longer need to:

Fill out a Digital Passenger Declaration or Maritime Travel Declaration when entering Australia
Declare or prove your vaccination status
Take a pre departure COVID test

Click here for more information: Planning to travel during COVID-19: step by step | Smartraveller

State and Territory information

You need to comply with requirements in the state or territory of your arrival, and any other state or territories that you plan to travel to. Restrictions may change at short notice. See here for: State and territory arrival requirements (homeaffairs.gov.au)

My holiday has been cancelled

If your holiday has been cancelled by your cruise line, or you are unable to travel due to restrictions either in your home country or the country you’re travelling to, you do not need to contact us, we plan to contact you as soon as possible with more specific information on your options. We are currently assisting passengers travelling in strict date order and therefore we would appreciate your patience during this time.

I'd like to cancel my booking

If your holiday has not been cancelled our standard booking conditions apply. We will continue to monitor local health authorities, the Australian Government, and all relevant governmental advice, and will review all holidays and update passengers if circumstances change. If your holiday is not officially cancelled but you have seen an alternative holiday on our website you would prefer to move to, please call our Concierge Team on (07) 3558 9874 who will be happy to look at the alternative for you. Please be aware cancellation and amendment fees may apply, if your departure falls within the next 90 days in some cases a change may not be possible as all elements of your holiday will be fully confirmed. Please refer to our booking terms and conditions for further information. Imagine Holidays - Terms and Conditions

Should the Government, global or local health authorities advise against travel or impose severe restrictions on movement within a country which directly affects your holiday itinerary, we will be in contact to discuss your options.

We are working closely with ATAS/AFTA adhering to their general travel advice, updates, and guidance to ensure your booking is protected and safe. You can view their advice for customers from their website at COVID-19 Update « ATAS

I've been offered a cruise credit by my cruise line

The policies around Future Cruise Credits can be complicated and differ by cruise line. Our experienced team are actively working with each of our cruise line partners to fully understand the detail behind each cruise line’s terms and conditions so that we can talk through your best options.

If you have been offered a Future Cruise Credit by your cruise line and your holiday has not yet been cancelled, please note that the credit only applies to the cruise provided by the cruise line, it does not apply to the other travel elements of your booking. Imagine Holidays is your tour operator.