PACIFIC Explorer’s return to Sydney on Monday has been celebrated as a new chapter in the harbour city’s maritime heritage.
The P&O cruise ship arrived in Australia on 18 April following the end of the federal government’s ban on cruise ships entering Australian waters.
The ban came into force on 17 March 2020 and lifted on 17 April 2022. Pacific Explorer is the first international cruise ship to visit Sydney Harbour since the ban was imposed.
Port Authority of New South Wales chief executive Philip Holliday said the return of cruise was a moment the port authority had been waiting for.
“Hearing our marine pilot requesting port clearance and our vessel traffic team welcoming the ship’s captain back to Sydney Harbour was one of the sweetest radio calls I’ve heard for a long while,” Mr Holliday said.
“Preparing for the return of cruising has been a long and challenging journey during which we’ve made sure our terminals and procedures are ship-shape to safely welcome cruise passengers and crew back to NSW.”
P&O Cruises Australia president Marguerite Fitzgerald described the arrival of Pacific Explorer as “an emotional homecoming”.
“Pacific Explorer coming through Sydney Heads after two long years was a magic moment and I am proud to say there was hardly a dry eye among our suppliers, guests and staff,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
Minister for transport and veterans David Elliot said Sydney Harbour has long been the jewel in the crown for Pacific cruising, and that the arrival was a symbol of optimism and hope.
“Today, our great harbour city reclaimed its title as the gateway to Australian cruising, with Sydneysiders and boaties once again witnessing the miracle of modern shipping,” Mr Elliot said.
Stuart Ayres, minister for enterprise, investment and trade, minister for tourism and sport, and minister for Western Sydney, said tourism operators and local suppliers will help rebuild the industry that contributed $2.9 billion to the New South Wales economy in the year before the pandemic.
“The return of the first cruise ship after a two-year pause is a milestone moment for NSW which will help to turbocharge the recovery of the state’s visitor economy,” Mr Ayres said.
“The provisioning of cruise ships with locally sourced produce, and the 9000 jobs the sector creates will also see long lasting benefits for our community.”
Pacific Explorer will remain in Sydney over the coming weeks as it prepares for its first guest cruise to Brisbane, departing 31 May 2022.
It is expected to make the first call at Port of Brisbane’s new cruise terminal on 2 June this year.
