An agreement has been reached to restart the cruise industry in Australia ahead of the reopening of international borders on February 21.

East coast states have joined forces with key government agencies to shape a plan to resuscitate the popular form of travel.

International cruise ships capable of carrying 100 or more passengers have been banned from entering Australian waters since March 2020 after more than 600 COVID cases and 28 deaths.

Before the pandemic, the cruise ship industry brought around 1.83 million passengers to Sydney each year resulting in more than $1.55 billion in direct spending.

The total cost of the industry ban has been estimated at $6 billion.

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