Covid Information

Any person who is not able to join a booked departure because of a travel ban associated with coronavirus or, who is not able to join a booked departure because they have tested positive to coronavirus, or because they have had close contact with someone who has tested positive to coronavirus or, because they have had close contact with someone who is suspected of having contracted coronavirus, or because they are indicating sign or displaying symptom of virus at the time of departure, will be offered deferred arrangement equivalent to the value of the existing arrangement without the application of penalty. Requests for deferment as above must be reasonably substantiated.

From 12 November 2022, anyone who tests positive to Covid post embarkation will be required to isolate in their cabin for current government-directed isolation period. Guests will be able to recommence activities following the isolation period provided they are no longer exhibiting sign or symptom and, provided they undertake to wear a mask for the ensuing 7-day period. A credit is no longer applicable to disrupted days. Please note that guests always remain responsible for any costs associated with repatriation relating to injury or illness and, that appropriate travel insurance is always recommended.

Each Australian State requires the following for cruises operating within Australian waters:

• All guests will be required to have received 2 doses of COVID vaccine, if of an age that is approved by ATAGI.
• All guests will be subject to a RAT test (to be organised by the company prior to embarkation). Positive test results must be referred to the Department of Health and guests who provide a positive test are not permitted to embark.
• RAT testing capability must be maintained onboard.
• An approved COVID Safe Plan must be installed.

Guests travelling on the TRUE NORTH have always commented on our meticulous housekeeping and, our focus on small group outdoor activities presents much less risk when compared to more crowded alternatives. However, all TRUE NORTH itineraries will continue to feature the following enhanced procedure:

• A pre-departure statement declaring the absence of any known virus-related risk to fellow guest or crew.
• Strict compliance with COVID Safety Guidelines e.g. mask wearing.
• Embarkation screening including reaffirmation of the pre-departure statement.
• Hygiene protocols included in the master’s welcome speech and in guest cabins.
• Signage reinforcing hygiene protocols displayed in all guest and crew cabins.
• Pre-embarkation professional laundering (high temperature) of bed linen.
• The maintenance of a two-tier sanitation process in the air conditioning system that removes impurities in the air handling unit and cooling coils and, also sanitises the ducting system.
• Complimentary stainless-steel water bottles supplied to all guests.
• The issue of guest specific recreation equipment. (In instances where guest specific recreation equipment is not available – all items will be cleaned with hospital grade cleaner after use).
• Twice-daily cleaning of surface areas and contact points in all cabins and day-use areas.
• Air sanitiser units fitted to all interior spaces.
• Floors cleaned daily with hospital grade cleaner.
• Hand sanitiser dispensers in all cabins and day-use areas.
• Hand sanitiser wipes available in guest cabins.
• Twice daily cleaning of deck washrooms.
• Enhanced galley specific protocols in accordance with industry standards.
• Crew service at breakfast buffet.
• Crew service at canapes.
• To assist with social distancing – outside bar service and television/audio will always be available.
• Dedicated containment and evacuation procedure (including provision of required PPE).
• Reduced crew change-outs.

To provide our guests with greater assurance when considering their travel plans, the following amendment to our general booking conditions will be maintained until such time as the provision is no longer considered essential:

Any person who is not able to join a booked departure because of a travel ban associated with coronavirus or, who is not able to join a booked departure because they have tested positive to coronavirus, or because they have had close contact with someone who has tested positive to coronavirus or, because they have had close contact with someone who is suspected of having contracted coronavirus, or because they are indicating sign or displaying symptom of virus at the time of departure, will be offered deferred arrangement equivalent to the value of the existing arrangement without the application of penalty.

Requests for deferment as above must be reasonably substantiated.

Additionally, if a Covid related incident causes disruption to your itinerary post embarkation, True North will arrange a credit proportional to the disrupted days and to the amount paid in excess of your 25% deposit, less any non-refundable expenses which we may have reasonably incurred.

The Western Australian government has recently announced the following requirements for cruises operating within WA waters:

• All guests will be required to have received 3 doses of COVID vaccine, if of an age that is approved by ATAGI and, if eligible for a third dose.
• All guests will be subject to a RAT test (to be organised by the company prior to embarkation). Positive test results must be referred to the Department of Health and guests who provide a positive test are not permitted to embark.
• RAT testing capability must be maintained onboard.
• An approved COVID Safe Plan must be installed.

Note: If your travels are originating from outside WA – you also need to consider requirements for entry into the state. You can stay up to date with Western Australia’s border requirements at COVID-19 coronavirus: Controlled border

Guests travelling on the TRUE NORTH have always commented on our meticulous housekeeping and, our focus on small group outdoor activities presents much less risk when compared to more crowded alternatives. However, all TRUE NORTH itineraries will continue to feature the following enhanced procedure:

• A pre-departure guest (and crew) statement declaring the absence of any known virus-related risk to fellow guest or crew.
• Strict compliance with Western Australian Government’s COVID Safety Guidelines e.g. mask wearing, social distancing etc.
• Embarkation screening (for guest and crew) including reaffirmation of the pre-departure statement and, temperature scanning.
• Hygiene protocols included in the master’s welcome speech and in guest cabins.
• Signage reinforcing hygiene protocols displayed in all guest and crew cabins.
• The removal of all non-essential items from guest cabins.
• Pre-embarkation professional laundering (high temperature) of bed linen.
• The maintenance of a two-tier sanitation process in the air conditioning system that removes impurities in the air handling unit and cooling coils and, also sanitises the ducting system.
• Vessel defogging during off-boat activities.
• Complimentary stainless-steel water bottles supplied to all guests.
• The issue of guest specific recreation equipment. (In instances where guest specific recreation equipment is not available – all items will be cleaned with hospital grade cleaner after use).
• Twice-daily cleaning of surface areas and contact points in all cabins and day-use areas.
• Air sanitiser units fitted to all interior spaces.
• Floors cleaned daily with hospital grade cleaner.
• Hand sanitiser dispensers in all cabins and day-use areas.
• Hand sanitiser wipes available in guest cabins.
• Twice daily cleaning of deck washrooms.
• Enhanced galley specific protocols in accordance with industry standards.
• Crew service at breakfast buffet.
• Crew service at canapes.
• To assist with social distancing – outside bar service and television/audio will always be available.
• Helicopter cab to be disinfected after each flight (including wipe down and aircon treatment).
• Helicopter headsets to be fitted with single-use mouth pieces.
• Helicopter life jackets to be disinfected after use.
• Dedicated containment and evacuation procedure (including provision of required PPE).
• Reduced crew change-outs.