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Cruises allowed in Australia from next month after two-year ban

International cruise ships will finally be allowed back into Australian waters after more than two years of being banned due to COVID-19.

The Federal Government today announced the end of the ban from April 17, after speculation earlier this week an announcement was due.

Industry bosses welcomed the news, which they said will support 18,000 jobs. They said the ban has cost the economy $10 billion.

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Cruise form P & O held a virtual event as cruising remains banned for Aussies.

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Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz called the news "a huge breakthrough".

"Today's announcement is a huge breakthrough for more than 18,000 Australians who depend on cruise tourism, including travel agents, tour operators, food and produce providers, entertainers, port workers and many other industry suppliers," he said.

He said more than eight million people have already sailed in other parts of the world during the pandemic.

Vaccinations are mandatory to sail and COVID-19 testing will be in place.

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"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 among the most extensive to be found anywhere in world tourism," he said.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the decision allow the ban to lapse is based on medical advice and it is now up to states to reopen ports.

"On the basis of medical advice and with the agreement of National Cabinet, lifting the cruise ban is consistent with the reopening of Australia's international border and shows that we have successfully navigated Australia's emergency response to the COVID-19 pandemic," Mr Hunt said.

Rules for ships will include passengers being double vaccinated and "improved" processes in relation to COVID-19.

However, Mr Katz warned of long lead times in getting ships back.

P&O will be ready to cruise by the end of May, it said in an announcement, but has cancelled more sailings later in the year.

"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," Carnival and P&O Cruises President Marguerite Fitzgerald said.

Another cruise line, Royal Caribbean, confirmed guests wouldn't be boarding their ships in Sydney until at least October, with the first due in Brisbane in November.

"We are delighted that after two years, we have an approved pathway to work with state governments to determine the roadmap for a safe return," a spokeswoman said.

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