Australia’s two-year ban on international cruise ships will end in April

It’s full steam ahead for international cruises and the 18,000 Aussie jobs depending on them, after the federal government confirmed it won’t renew its ban.

International cruise ships will be able to launch from Australian waters for the first time in two years from mid-April, with the federal government confirming the ban which crippled the industry won’t be renewed when it expires.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt on Tuesday announced the rules preventing cruise ships from setting sail to and from Australia would be ditched on April 17.

“On the basis of medical advice and with the agreement of national cabinet, lifting the cruise ban is consistent with the reopening of Australia’s international border and shows that we have successfully navigated Australia’s emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said in a statement.

The last international cruise ship at Circular Quay arrived in March 2020. Picture: Damian Shaw

Passengers looking to hit the decks will have to contend with a swath of new cruise industry mandates, including vaccination requirements, while operators will need Covid-19 safety plans to help reduce the spread of the virus on-board.

The return of cruise ships has been welcomed by businesses across The Rocks, many of which heavily rely on the direct injection of tourists into the historic precinct from the vessels.

“It’s definitely good for us – our pubs are very popular with travellers from overseas and other tourists who are attracted to the history of this pub,” Kazuko Nelson, the licensee of one of Australia’s oldest pubs the Hero of Waterloo, said.

“(Tourists) are looking to spend their time off the cruise ship – naturally it’s good for us, being part of The Rocks.”

Pubs, restaurants and shops in The Rocks rely heavily on trade from international cruise ships. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

The two-year ban was enacted in March 2020 in the wake of the Ruby Princess debacle where travellers infected with Covid-19 were permitted by NSW Health to disembark from their cruise ship in Sydney, in Australia’s first major exposure to the virus.

Industry figures predicted late last year the ban had cost the Australian economy $10 billion, but on Tuesday they finally had reason to celebrate.

“Today’s announcement is a huge breakthrough for more than 18,000 Australians who depend on cruise tourism, including travel agents, tour operators, food and produce providers, entertainers, port workers and many other industry suppliers,” Cruise Lines International Association’s Joel Katz said in a statement.

Mr Katz said the cruise industry now had health protocols “among the most extensive to be found anywhere in world tourism”, but warned it would take time for the sector to get back to full steam.

“Cruising involves long lead-times, so it is essential that state governments and health authorities continue to work closely with the industry in the coming weeks to finalise detailed operational plans for resumption,” Mr Katz said.