First cruise ship in Sydney harbour in two years

The first cruise ship to dock in Sydney in two years sailed into the city's harbor on Monday. The Pacific Explorer, owned by P&O Australia, arrived carrying just crew.

It can welcome 1,998 passengers and is operated by 924 staff members at full capacity. The ship will welcome its next passengers on May 31 when it departs for Brisbane.

Cruise ships have not been allowed to dock in Australia since the death of almost 30 passengers who contracted COVID-19 while travelling on the Ruby Princess ship in March 2020.

At the time, passengers of the Ruby Princess disembarked in Sydney, which contributed to the spread of the virus in the local community.