The Western Australian cruise industry is calling on the government for more clarity as to when they can return to their normal domestic cruising schedule.

Last week, Federal Health Minister, Greg Hunt, extended the ban on international cruising until mid-February 2022 – with most cruise liners not planning to return to Australia until March.

Cruise Lines International Association Managing Director Australasia, Joel Katz, says the industry has no light at the end of the tunnel.

“We’re concerned that if we can’t make any progress on developing a plan for those smaller expedition ships to be able to return to WA in time for the Kimberley season, the millions of dollars and thousands of jobs associated with the cruise industry will be in jeopardy,” he said.

When crusing was banned in March last year, ships over 99 passengers were forced to dock. However, any cruise liners with less than 99 people were able to continue, under specific COVID protocol.

“They have been operating very successfully without any issues,” he said. “What we’re saying is that if it can work for a ship with 99 passengers on, then it should be able to work for a ship with 160 passengers on.”

Mr Katz says their focus is on local crusies, and is not yet worried about international travel.

“While we’ve still got so much flux with our internal borders, we still don’t have a date for international tourism in Australia, so we’re only talking about domestic cruising,” he told Jo McManus.

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