Coronavirus: Queen Mary 2 round-the-world voyage comes to abrupt end

Cruise companies are in financial danger with hesitant travellers and governmental cruise restrictions

Female crew members on board Cunard's Queen Mary 2 berthed at Station Pier in Melbourne Australia on 8 March 2020 (James D. Morgan/Getty Images)

Cunard has abruptly ended the round-the-world voyage of the cruise ship, Queen Mary 2.

The vessel is currently in the Western Australian port of Fremantle, near Perth.

Passengers say they have been told they will be flown home as soon as possible.

New arrivals who were planning to join Queen Mary 2 in Fremantle have been asked to wait for further news.

After many ports in Asia shut down to cruise ships, Cunard moved vessels to Australia – warning passengers to bring at least 14 days of extra medication.

But with barriers going up around the world, most recently a New Zealand ban on cruise ships, it appears the firm has concluded that trying to complete the voyage is futile.

Ali W tweeted Cunard to say: “My elderly parents were supposed to board QM2 today but been sent to a hotel and had no further communication.

“Any idea how long before they hear what’s to happen next? They are quite upset about being stranded in Oz.”

The cruise line responded: “We can appreciate the concerns that have been caused and please be assured that we will be contacting guests to help bring them home shortly.

The Southampton-based cruise line is part of the Carnival group, and a sister operator to Princess Cruises – which has suspended all operations for two months.

Diamond Princess, the ship quarantined by Japan, became a coronavirus hotspot in its own right.

Grand Princess was forced to remain off the coast of California for days after cases were discovered on board.

In addition, ships such as Marella Discovery, operated by Tui, were refused permission to land by one Asian country after another.

The cruise business is probably suffering more intensely than any other part of the travel industry as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

The operating model is based on constant use of cruise ships with near 100 per cent occupancy.

But the outbreak of Covid-19 has devastated the short- and long-term prospects for cruising.