JamMei

These requirements were not initiated mid-cruise. These requirements were in effect prior to embarkation as Fiji and New Caledonia opened to travelers post pandemic. I asked HAL on several occasions about the requirement for medical coverage to no avail. I received either a non-response or non-answer from HAL. This is a major fail by HAL if anyone is denied going ashore in either New Caledonia or Fiji.

"Finger on the pulse" was meant as Carnival has a better idea of what's going on in this South Sea arena, because they are interacting with the local governments. Another thread I am following, someone called the PNG Embassy in Washington, D.C. Granted it was a couple of weeks ago, but the Embassy response "we are open to tourists, but still closed to cruise ships". New Caledonia is pretty much the same, I received a response from the "official" tourism site that stated we are still officially closed to cruise ships, regardless of what is being said in the media. We anticipate opening soon and will update our website when the government announces the opening. It is clear Carnival has made the decision to go forward with both PNG and New Caledonia. HAL recently updated its Westerdam itinerary cancelling Vanuatu, and rearranging its New Caledonia and PNG port calls, That said, the cruise lines are not always candid with its customers on what's going on. As an example, about a month ago a problem with a HAL itinerary for Auckland, NZ, came up. HAL said the port call date was Nov 19 and the Port Authority said the date was Nov 20. Several booked passengers challenged HAL, including myself. HAL stood by their date, even when provided a copy of an email from the Port Authority. Lo and behold, couple days ago, change of itinerary notice was sent out. Port Authority was correct all along. My hope is that both PNG and New Caledonia are open when the Westerdam reaches those ports. My purpose in posting my concern was to get additional input. I appreciate you take on the situation.

“We also know that our guests and crew can’t wait to reconnect with the people of PNG and other island nations. With PNG coming on board, we can now look forward to Vanuatu becoming the next nation to reopen. “Once Vanuatu is back online, the full suite of destinations that make cruising in our region so special will be restored.” Would feel more comfortable about PNG opening to cruise ships if a government official was quoted saying the island nation is open to cruise ships. Same for New Caledonia. I am sure Carnival has their "finger on the pulse" of these countries as their subsidiaries Princess, P & O, and Holland America all have port calls in October, but none of the published media reports quote a government official.

You got that right! Cruise lines don't want to get too specific on any issue for fear of bad publicity. I have asked this question on several other venues and never received an adequate answer: Is PNG actually open to cruise ships? I saw the announcement PNG opened to tourists, but entry by sea or cruise ship was not addressed. Besides, several cruise critics threads, I contacted a cruise line with PNG itinerary in October. They basically, walked around the question, with a non-answer. Same on the visa issue. PNG requires a visa. Cruise ships have used on-arrival visa procedure(currently suspended) or some other "special consideration" in the past, but now don't want to even address the visa issue. Almost like they don't plan on stopping in PNG, but is not going to notify pax until last minute. Anyone have the straight scoop on cruise entry to PNG?

It appears many of the island groups in the South Pacific are in the process of reopening in the next few months. What is unclear is how many of these locations will actually be open to cruise ships. Does anyone have a good up-to-date source on which ports are open. I see where Vanuatu is opening to international tourists on July 1. But no mention of the port being open, only air travel. Same for Samoa...open Aug 1, but no mention of cruise ships. Best I can figure is that Samoa, Vanuatu, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea are closed to cruise ships, with no reported opening date. Anyone hear different?