What cruising means to the staff and travellers aboard P&O’s comeback Aussie trip

The cruise industry has returned to Aussie waters. But what does the first ship back look like in the post-Covid world?

It’s been two long years, but Australia’s cruise industry was officially kickstarted once again this week with P&O’s magnificent ship Pacific Explorer being the first to set sail following the end of the government’s cruise ban.

While many industries took a hit during the pandemic, it could be argued that none were affected quite so much as the cruise industry.

The ban took a huge toll on not only cruise and travel operators, but the huge number of ship staff from all different walks of life.

For travellers however, two years in the wilderness hasn’t done anything to dampen the spirits, with some cruise devotees travelling from all over Australia to be part of the four-day journey from Sydney to Brisbane and back again.

They soaked up the sun on the top deck around the pool, enjoyed waterslides, spa treatments, bars and an array of restaurants among a myriad of other activities.

Among those first travellers were Carlos (54) and Maria Rivera from Barmera in the Riverland.

“Honestly, the best thing is you can get on board and just unpack once and then everything is so easy,” Mrs Rivera, 53, said.

“You can tell everyone on the ship has been hanging out for this to be restarted. Everyone’s in such a great mood and the people who work here can’t do enough for you.”

Riverland residents Carlos and Maria Rivera and Sue Yabsley aboard the Pacific Explorer.

The Riveras are travelling with friend Sue Yabsley, 53, of Berri.

Before Covid, Ms Yabsley was working as a travel agent with her business Riverland Travel And Cruise.

Being on the first cruise back not only signalled the restart of the cruise industry and her travel business, but it also had an enormous emotional significance.

“For me this is huge. My partner passed away exactly one year ago, so I’m here to make new memories,” she said.

Like many, Ms Yabsley’s business was shut down overnight in 2020 and she lost two years of income instantly. One year later her partner Con Tsaconas died at 55 from an aggressive brain tumour leaving behind Ms Yabsley and two young children.

“He and I travelled on cruises all the time and we’d been all over the world. He would always call me up and say ‘Sue, book us a trip and make sure it has the wow factor’ and for me that’s what cruising is. So being back on this ship and with P&O has been very special for me because I feel like he is here in a way as well.”

This cruise had a certain significance for this writer as well.

The Pacific Explorer docked in Brisbane this week. Picture: Richard Walker

I first started performing my Hans show on board Pacific Explorer in 2019, so I was honoured when booked to perform on this historic first cruise back.

Upon boarding there was lots of familiar faces and friends I had made two years ago with whom I was excited to be reunited.

When talking to them about the pandemic, it was easy to see just how drastically the travel ban had affected each person in different ways. Some were able to keep working with P&O in admin roles, others were forced to retrain and find new work.

Hans ready to perform on board. Picture: Charles C. Meyer

Musicians became plumbers or carpenters. Dancers took on temp jobs back on land.

Some of the sound and lighting technicians, who work tirelessly in the theatre I perform in, told me that they started selling congee on the streets of Manila in the past two years just to get by.

For them, being back on Pacific Explorer doing what they love in their old teams is a little glimmer of life returning to normal.

On board, you can see how Covid has made slight changes to the way things operate.

Health was always a big concern pre-pandemic, but it’s really front of mind for everyone now. Sanitiser is everywhere, surfaces are constantly being cleaned and masks are required in certain areas.

Before you board, you are required to show proof of vaccination and that a Covid test has been undertaken. But passengers were happy to take these measures in their stride if it meant they could get back to doing what they love.

P&O will begin travelling to Adelaide later this year.