It's hard to think of an industry that has been harder hit by the pandemic than cruising.
Hunter Valley-based friends Kylie Gray and Julie Horn are on board with plans for cruise ships to return to the open seas and the destinations they support.
The pair applied through social media to become "adventurers" for P&O Cruises.
Kylie, of Weston, said the pair had to make a short film to audition for the role.
"We were lucky enough to be selected," she said.
The pair were one of six groups given a "golden ticket" to be named as adventurers.
Before lockdown, they tried new foods, tasted wines and tested activities on the P&O ship Pacific Explorer, moored at White Bay in Sydney.
Kylie has previously been on four cruises and had two booked for this year, while Julie has been on three cruises.
Julie, of Aberdare, went on a 10-night cruise with her husband, along with friends.
"It was wonderful because there were no children," she quipped.
Mind you, she and her husband have previously given their children and grandchildren a four-night cruise to Moreton Island as a Christmas present.
Kylie and Julie have a cruise booked and have paid deposits for a trip to Papua New Guinea next year, if the government gives the green light for the sector to resume business.
Julie believed most people who have cruised before "cannot wait to get back on board".
"All those people will be fully vaccinated and there will be COVID-safe policies on ships," she said.
Kylie said the residents of island destinations depend on tourism to support their families and livelihoods.
Julie liked cruises because "everything is done for you", while Kylie added that this included "cooking and cleaning".
"You can have a drink at the bar and no one has to drive," Kylie said.
The pair have joined CLIA [Cruise Lines International Association] in calling for state and federal governments to agree to a roadmap for the resumption of domestic cruising.
CLIA managing director Joel Katz said the comments from NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet in support of cruising returning this summer were "very encouraging".
"Given the progress Australia is making towards reopening borders and reviving travel, it makes no sense to exclude cruising," Joel said.
Joel said cruise lines had "committed to extensive new health protocols in response to COVID-19".
"These have been developed with the help of leading medical experts internationally and are among the most comprehensive to be found anywhere in the travel industry," he said.
"They are designed to uphold health and safety as the highest priority."
The protocols include vaccination requirements, testing of passengers and crew before boarding, social distancing, sanitation, ventilation, health monitoring and response procedures.
"The suspension of cruising has had a devastating effect on people who work within our industry, as well as the many thousands of Australians who work in supporting sectors," Joel said.
"Cruising is ordinarily worth more than $5 billion a year to the Australian economy and supports more than 18,000 full-time jobs."
More information is available at cruising.org.au/Regulatory/COVID-19.
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