Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she is confident the pandemic has not put people off cruise holidays as the state prepares to welcome its first ship for 15 months on June 2 – P&O’s Pacific Explorer.
The announcement follows the federal government’s move not to renew a ban in place since March 2020, allowing cruise ships to return to Australian shores from April 17.
“Today we are going into the new normal and people want to resume activities as part of … living with COVID, so to speak,” Ms Palaszczuk said on Friday.
“This is something that I know many, many Queenslanders have been looking forward to.”
Additional safety measures are being put in place to mitigate the risks, including a double vaccination requirement, increased testing measures and mask rules while embarking, Ms Palaszczuk said.
President of cruise company Carnival Australia Marguerite Fitzgerald said ending the cruise ban was a significant breakthrough for the industry.
“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,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“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.”
P&O’s Pacific Explorer will be the first to set sail from Brisbane on June 2
P&O Cruises Australia’s first voyage 90 years ago included Brisbane, and it is fitting the cruise line’s Pacific Explorer is scheduled to make the inaugural call to the new Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) on June 2.
Two weeks later, Princess Cruises Coral Princess will begin her maiden Australian deployment in Brisbane, setting sail on June 16 with a three-night cruise, the first of 21 cruises from the Queensland capital in 2022/23.
Then on August 20, P&O Cruises Australia will base its latest ship, Pacific Encounter, in Brisbane for her first season Down Under, sailing on 24 cruises in 2022.
“Like our guests, we can’t wait to return to Queensland. Not only do Queenslanders love to cruise, the State has a fantastic selection of ports that are among our domestic and international guests’ favourite destinations, from Cairns in the north to Moreton Island in the south,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
Head to www.cruising.org.au to find out more.