Tasmanians may soon be able to cruise from the state’s ports from October with the state government announcing they are developing a plan to re-open cruising on international vessels.
The announcement comes after the Federal Government lifted the cruise ban on April 17, 2022.
The first passenger cruise ship to depart after the ban was lifted was P&O’s Pacific Explorer which departed from Sydney’s White Bay Cruise Terminal to Brisbane on a four-night roundtrip.
Tasmanian Tourism Minister Jeremy Rockliff said on Monday that the government wants to ensure the health and safety of Tasmanians are protected before the state’s ports are reopened to international cruise ships.
“We want to ensure the cruise ships return to Tasmania in a way that protects the health and safety of our communities as well as the crew and passengers onboard the vessels,” he said.
Public health authorities are currently drafting procedures for the cruise ship policy which will be implemented at the time that cruise ships return to Tasmania.
The cruise industry was worth around $48.7 million in the 2019-2020 cruise season.
No cruise ships have entered Tasmania since March 15, 2020, when former-Premier Peter Gutwein ordered the suspension of all cruise ships into Tasmania.
Upcoming itineraries to Tasmania
Princess Cruises’ Coral Princess is scheduled to depart from Sydney on a 28 round Australia itinerary on October 11, 2022, and includes stops in Burnie and Hobart.
Carnival Cruise Lines’, Carnival Splendor is scheduled to depart Sydney on a five-night roundtrip itinerary with stops in Hobart and Port Arthur on October 31, 2022.
P&O’s Pacific Adventure is not scheduled to visit Tasmania until November 28, 2022, on a seven-night roundtrip itinerary with port calls in Hobart and Port Arthur.
Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth will also sail around Australia on a 28-night itinerary on November 15, 2022, with a stop in Burnie.
