First cruise ship in two years arrives in Brisbane
The first cruise ship to visit Queensland in more than two years has docked at Brisbane’s sparkling new International Cruise Terminal. SEE THE PICTURES
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The first cruise ship to visit Queensland in more than two years has docked at Brisbane’s sparkling new International Cruise Terminal.
P&O’s Pacific Explorer sailed into the Brisbane River at first light and docked at the $177m facility about 7.30am.
It is the first cruise voyage in Australian waters since the lifting of a two-year ban on the industry during the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 1000 passengers are on board the historic voyage. They will visit Brisbane for the day in a much-needed boost for the city’s tourism economy.
Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said it was a great day for the industry. “It’s wonderful to see cruising coming back,” he said.
“Cruising was a $1bn industry for Queensland and this is just the beginning.”
Cruise fanatic Katrina Panagis said it was great to be on the first voyage since the pandemic.
“It’s such a great atmosphere on board,” she said.
Her friend Wendy Wootton is on her first-ever cruise and said she appreciated the significance of the occasion.
“It’s great to be a part of history,” she said. “And it’s just so great to be able to travel again.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk officially opened the new terminal, which will welcome another 50 cruise ship visits in coming months as operators ramp up the industry’s restart following a two-year hiatus.
Ms Palaszczuk said it was a day to be celebrated that would set Queensland up for the future.
Carnival Australia president Marguerite Fitzgerald said the opening of the new facility was “a historic moment”.
“We’re very excited to be back,” she said.
“This is the start of the resurgence of the $1bn industry in Queensland.”
Gold Coast songstress Ricki-Lee Coulter performed for the crowd of enthusiastic cruise passengers before many headed into the city for a day exploring Brisbane.
Pacific Explorer will start its return journey to Sydney on Thursday night.
More cruise ships are booked to dock in Brisbane later this month before the sailing season starts in earnest in October.
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