Princess Cruises has welcomed completion of an Australian independent special commission of inquiry into an outbreak of Covid-19 on the ship Ruby Princess.
The probe found that New South Wales health authorities made “serious mistakes” in allowing about 2,650 passengers to disembark when the ship docked in Sydney in March.
Those who left the ship were not tested for the virus, despite suspected cases aboard.
The vessel was ultimately linked to at least 900 infections and 28 deaths.
The inquiry said it was not able to fully assess how many people had caught the virus because many were unable to get tested.
The Australian state’s premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was particularly sorry to the 62 people who had caught the virus from passengers who disembarked.
“I can’t imagine what it would be like having a loved one – or being someone yourself who continues to suffer and experience trauma as a result – and I want to apologise unreservedly,” she said.
Passengers were allowed to leave the ship at Sydney Harbour after completing an 11-day cruise to New Zealand to take public transport, and domestic and overseas flights home.
The inquiry report released last Friday found NSW Health had mischaracterised the ship as low-risk, and should have tested sick patients immediately.
It was “inexcusable” that officials had failed to immediately obtain results from coronavirus swab tests taken on March 19 – the day the vessel docked.
However, the inquiry found no systemic failures and said the mistakes had already been recognised by the state government.
The 318-page report said: “There are no ‘systemic’ failures to address. Put simply, despite the best efforts of all, some serious mistakes were made.”
Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia group president Jan Swartz said the company expressed “profound sorrow at the impact Covid-19 has had on Ruby Princess’s guests, crew and their families”.
She added: “Our hearts go out to everyone who has been affected, particularly those who lost loved ones.
“The commission’s report confirms that none of our people – the captain, the ship’s doctor, or members of our shore side port agency team – misled public authorities involved in Ruby Princess being permitted to disembark guests on March 19.
“This finding is of great importance to us because it goes to the integrity of our people. In our more than 20 years in Australia, we have always sought to cooperate honestly and professionally with officials in accordance with the regulatory environment.
“We acknowledge the commission’s specific comments about Carnival Australia, and we will consider these comments to the fullest possible extent.
“Princess Cruises also welcomes the commission’s attention to improving information sharing and co-ordination among government agencies in the future.
“In our submission to the inquiry, we agreed that this area deserved consideration. We look forward to collaborating with government agencies and industry peers to improve these systems.”
Swartz said: “Our overriding objective is to ensure cruising is a safe and enjoyable pastime for the millions of people who value exploring the world by sea as their preferred holiday choice.
“Princess Cruises has developed strong relationships with our guests, travel agents and other stakeholders in Australia and over decades we have also worked closely with the Australian government, state governments and their agencies on many initiatives to build and invest in the cruise industry in Australia.
“We will now take some time to consider the commission’s findings. In the light of ongoing legal proceedings, we are not able to add to these comments at this time.”