Pacific Explorer, P&O Cruises Australia flagship is only days away from entering Sydney Harbour, marking the restart of cruising in Australia. Pacific Explorer’s arrival after an absence of more than two years will be embraced by cruise suppliers as a sign that their businesses and livelihoods will soon be in recovery mode with the resumption of cruising based on comprehensive protocols to support its return.

The P&O Cruises Australia flagship’s arrival on 18 April is expected to capture the imagination of Sydneysiders as it enters the Heads on Easter Monday in returning to its homeport. The Easter Monday holiday arrival will give the city’s ‘boaties’ an opportunity to escort Pacific Explorer as the ship makes its way up the harbour to the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) to be alongside at 10.30am.

President of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia Marguerite Fitzgerald said Pacific Explorer’s return marked the start of rebuilding cruise tourism in Australia, which, prior to the pandemic, contributed more than $5 billion a year to the national economy.

The P&O vessel is the first cruise ship scheduled to return to Australia following the government’s decision to lift the biosecurity determination which had prohibited the arrival of international cruise ships since 2020.

Minister for transport and veterans David Elliot said workers in Australia’s ports and cruise terminals are ready to welcome visitors with open arms.

“As a seafaring nation, cruising is synonymous with our way of life and with the return of these majestic ships, Aussies will once again be able to embrace one of our most popular holiday experiences,” Mr Elliott said.

Stuart Ayres, minister for enterprise, investment and trade, minister for tourism and sport, and minister for Western Sydney, said the cruise industry is a significant contributor to the New South Wales economy.

“I cannot wait to see cruise ships safely re-enter our state’s harbours, and our local businesses welcome back those seafaring travellers,” Mr Ayres said.

“For the most part, a cruise experience will be a lot like it was before the pandemic, but we have put important protocols in place to ensure everyone’s safety, both those on board and on shore.

“Not only is this announcement important to industry and their passengers, cruising supports our tourism operators, hospitality industry and all those local suppliers who help with the enormous task of re-supplying ships.”

New South Wales has reportedly led the charge in planning for the safe resumption of cruising once the nation-wide ban is lifted.

The work to restart the industry was carried out in partnership with officials from federal, Victorian, and Queensland governments and cruise industry operators.

Marguerite Fitzgerald, president of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia, said Pacific Explorer’s return would mark the start of rebuilding cruise tourism in Australia.

“Seeing Pacific Explorer sail into Sydney Harbour will be an emotional moment for our employees, many thousands of guests and our numerous cruise suppliers, travel agents and entertainers,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

“Our supply chain team is already gearing up to deliver hundreds of pallets to Pacific Explorer containing locally supplied fresh produce, wine, and other products necessary for cruise operations.

“This is just the beginning of the revitalisation of the wide and varied cruising ecosystem.”

“We can’t wait for our first guest cruise, a four-night round trip from Sydney to Brisbane departing on May 31 based on protocols developed in conjunction with government authorities.

“We will use the coming weeks to prepare Pacific Explorer to be cruise ready to lead the resurgence of cruising.

“It is so good to know this is happening in the year, P&O Cruises Australia, the nation’s home-grown cruise line, marks its ninetieth anniversary of cruising from Australia.”

According to the NSW government, the priority for all parties involved with the resumption of cruising is to ensure safeguards are in place to mitigate the risk of COVID-19, including in regional areas. Protocols related to vaccinations, negative COVID tests, and COVID-safe plans around shore excursions, which consider the needs of communities receiving visiting passengers.

“The protocols we have put in place are such that we are confident ships can return to our shores without compromising public health or safety,” Mr Elliot said.

Pacific Explorer's first cruise with guests will be a four-night round trip voyage from Sydney to Brisbane, departing on 31 May.