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International Cruise ships will be allowed to return to Australia from 17^th April following a decision by the Federal Government not to renew their ban.

Large international cruise ships have been banned from Australia since March 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but will be allowed to return albeit with additional safety measures put in place.

More than 600,000 passengers across almost 350 ships arrived in Australia in 2019 before the pandemic.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt says the decision to let the current embargo lapse on 17th April is based on medical advice and is “consistent with the reopening of Australia’s international border.”

To ensure the safe return of international cruising to Australia, additional measures to reduce risk include:

• Enhanced pre-arrival reporting and identification of COVID-19 risk through more questions of passengers and improved processes.
• Amendments to the Biosecurity (Negative pratique) Instrument 2016 to ensure cruise vessels always arrive in negative pratique (that is, permission to unload passengers and cargo).
• Stress testing of the emergency response system in relation to cruises.
• Engaging with the cruise industry on safe resumption.
• Passengers will be required to be double vaccinated.

International cruise ships will still need to meet all state and territory public health requirements of the jurisdiction into which they berth. State and territories will advise their readiness to receive cruise ships.

Cruise industry mandates – including requiring passengers be vaccinated, implementation of appropriate operating and outbreak management plans, and COVID-19 safety plans – will also help reduce the risk of COVID-19 transmission aboard cruise ships.

Minister for Home Affairs Karen Andrews said the Australian Border Force stands ready to welcome international cruise ship passengers and crew back to Australia.

Cruise line companies have welcomed the Government's decision with Carnival Australia President Marguerite Fitzgerald noting the reopening decision is a significant breakthrough for the industry and advised "the uncertainty of the past two years has been replaced with hope and a belief that the lifting of the cruise ban at last heralds the return of cruise operations in Australia.

"Overseas experience, where hundreds of cruise ships have returned to service ... has confirmed that cruising can operate safely in the new environment with comprehensive health protocols."

Fitzgerald said the decision meant the company's seven cruise lines, including P&O Cruises, could begin work for preparing the return of ships. She hoped to see P&O return to operations from the end of May this year.

Tourism Minister Dan Tehan said the decision would mean a boost for overseas visitors and added "this is great news for the cruise industry, tourism, the broader economy and the Australians who love to take a cruise holiday.”

"The resumption of cruising is another key step forward in the tourism sector's recovery from COVID-19."

Cruise Lines International Associations' Australasian managing director Joel Katz said the decision would also be welcome news for the 18,000 people who depend on cruise ship tourism.

"The suspension of cruising over the past two years has cost the Australian economy more than $10 billion and we now have an opportunity to work on a revival," he said.

"Cruising has changed enormously in response to the pandemic and the work our industry has done with medical experts internationally has resulted in health protocols that are the most extensive."

A number of international expedition cruise operators have already indicated they would like to be part of the 2022 Northern Australia cruise season, which will enable expedition ships to visit the Territory once again.

This is a fantastic outcome for Australians who still hold bookings on Northern Australia voyages, as well as for local businesses and Aboriginal communities who service and receive revenue from the cruise industry.

The Territory has measures in place in readiness for the recommencement of cruising. The NT Chief Health Officer has released an updated Direction for both Australian and international flagged cruise ships operating in Territory waters, which permits cruise ships with up to 350 persons – passengers and crew. As part of the safety measures, all cruise vessels operating in the Northern Territory are required to have a COVID management plan approved by NT Health prior to commencing voyages in Territory waters, and are required to visit Darwin as their first Port in the Territory.

Northern Territory Minister for Tourism and Hospitality Natasha Fyles advises “the cruise ship industry is a key driver for the Top End tourism sector, and prior to COVID the Territory was seeing $60 million in annual expenditure as a result.This decision to enable cruising to safely resume in Australia will be a very welcome boost to local operators and retailers.”

Sarina Bratton AM, Chair Asia Pacific PONANT adds “PONANT applauds this decision to allow our operations in Australian waters to re-commence and thank the Northern Territory Government for leading the push to allow our small expedition ships to return to Australia and seasonally homeport in Darwin.

“The international expedition sector is a major contributor to Indigenous Australians along the Kimberley coastline, and significant contributors to the tourism economies of both the Northern Territory and Australia’s North West.”

Image courtesy Carnival Australia 

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