Sydney’s cruise ship return stalled by confusing health advice

The return of international cruise ships and billions of dollars in annual tourism revenue to Sydney has stalled as NSW waits for health advice.

The return of international cruise ships and billions of dollars in annual tourism revenue to Sydney’s shores has stalled as NSW waits for health advice, while the Commonwealth insists state agreement is needed first.

Premier Dominic Perrottet has pledged support for the resumption of cruising, saying it “doesn’t make sense” to maintain the ban on leisure travel by sea, while aviation restarts.

“If we can assist in getting the cruising industry back in this state, we will,” he said.

As Australia prepares to reinstate international travel, the NSW Premier has called for a return for cruise ships too.

The cruise sector remains crippled by confusion about what needs to happen to resume operations, with the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee (AHPPC) ultimately responsible for scrapping the ban, but requiring a state to put the issue on the agenda for review.

Reopening Australia’s international borders to tourists from February 21 was only the first step to getting cruising back.

Federal government sources said if NSW now asked the AHPPC review the cruise ban, the expert panel would consider the health risks.

A Health Department spokeswoman said gaining state agreement to ensure “adequate health system capacity” to respond to outbreaks was also an “important step” needed to restart cruises.

Then states and the Commonwealth would need to work together to restart the operation of international visitor terminals at ports, before the cruise industry could then start taking bookings for cruises. Federal Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said he had been talking with his state counterparts about resuming cruises, including required “arrangements at ports” and work on “any other issues”.

“Cruising has already returned in other countries and I look forward to further discussions with my state and territory counterparts,” he said.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet pictured on top of the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Monday, is ready to welcome back cruise ships with open arms. Picture: Toby Zerna

The ongoing ban on cruise ships is due for review on February 17, with the total cost to Sydney’s economy estimated to be about $6bn in the almost two years since the sector ground to a halt. Circular Quay’s Thunder Jet Boats General Manager Chris Cordwell said he hopes the government “doesn’t drag out” the reopening date for the international cruise industry which his businesses heavily relies on.

“We’re an activity for families before or after cruises so it’s a big portion of our business when international cruise ships bring passengers into Circular Quay,” Mr Cordwell told The Daily Telegraph.

“Our business is fifty-fifty split with domestic and international bookings so we’ve lost half of our business,” he said.

Carnival Australia spokesman David Jones said a possible sequence of events would be for the Commonwealth to lift the cruise ship ban followed by NSW reopening ports.

“There now seems to be some momentum to restart, which will come as a huge relief for Australians who want to cruise again, the many suppliers whose livelihoods depend on cruising, and for regional destinations.”