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While industries around the world have suffered during the pandemic, few have been hit harder than the cruise line sector which is celebrating its long-awaited return to Sydney harbour.

On Monday, luxury cruise ship Pacific Explorer became the first to return to Australian shores since the COVID-19 pandemic brought the industry to a standstill in March 2020.

The suspension cost the Australian economy more than $10 billion during that time, according to Cruise Lines International Association, with businesses including travel agents, caterers, tour operators and hospitality and transport providers all impacted.

Foodservice Suppliers Association Australia chief executive Vince Crawley said the return of cruising would flow right through the economy.

"Clearly they've gone through a tough few years, so any return to normal is important for food service and the supply chain," Mr Crawley told AAP.

He said cafes, restaurants and other hospitality venues would benefit, as would local suppliers.

It is unclear, however, how fast the rebound might take, with tourism operators previously being felled by virus outbreaks and general travel hesitancy.

Melbourne-resident Caroline O'Neill told AAP that she had her first-ever cruise booked at the start of the pandemic. That trip was cancelled as were two subsequent reschedules.

"I wouldn't go now while the pandemic is still going ... I'd like to see how it goes over the next six to 12 months," she said.

"I'd like to go, but it's too scary."

Ms O'Neill said she feared being stranded on a ship during an outbreak, or being exposed in a new wave of the virus, much like what happened to those on the Ruby Princess at the start of the pandemic.

The Ruby Princess has been linked to 28 coronavirus deaths and hundreds of cases, with a NSW inquiry laying most of the blame on health authorities for allowing infected passengers to leave the ship. Weeks earlier, the Diamond Princess made international headlines after being forced to quarantine off the coast of Japan for two weeks due to infections on board.

On Monday, the $400 million Pacific Explorer, which has capacity for almost 2000 passengers, arrived in Sydney to a ceremonial water cannon salute following a 28-day voyage from Europe, where it has been anchored for most of the past two years.

Before the pandemic, as many as 350 cruise ships travelled to Australia each year carrying more than 600,000 passengers.

Joel Katz, the Australasia managing director for the Cruise Lines International Association, said an enormous amount of work had been done with medical experts to ensure the safety of guests and 18,000 Australians whose livelihoods depend on cruise tourism.

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Luxury cruise ship Pacific Explorer has pulled into Sydney Harbour, making it the first to return to Australian shores since a ban triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

The $400 million luxury liner, which has capacity for almost 2000 passengers, arrived in Sydney on Monday morning following a 28-day voyage from Europe, where it has been anchored for most of the past two years.

The P&O Australia ship, sporting huge banner at the bow reading "We're Home", was welcomed into the harbour with a ceremonial "water cannon salute" before docking surrounded by tugboats.

Marguerite Fitzgerald, president of P&O Cruises Australia, said the "emotional homecoming" marked the start of rebuilding Australia's $5 billion a year cruise industry.

"Pacific Explorer coming through Sydney Heads after two long years was a magic moment and I am proud to say there was hardly a dry eye among our suppliers, guests and staff," she said.

The Explorer's return to full service will coincide with that of Ponant's Le Laperouse, which will begin operations between Darwin and Broome on April 28, joining local operators in time for the Kimberley cruise season.

Federal biosecurity measures barring entry of cruise ships and mandating COVID-19 tests for inbound travellers lapsed on Sunday.

NSW, Victoria and Queensland have outlined testing and vaccination requirements for passengers and crew in preparation for the ships to return.

However, Tasmania is still reviewing whether such a move is safe for the island state.

Cruise Lines International Association Australia says the lifting of the ban will see "a carefully managed resumption of operations" in a sector that previously supported more than 18,000 jobs.

Its Australasian managing director Joel Katz said before the pandemic more than a million Australians a year took an ocean cruise, and extolled on-board safety measures to curb future outbreaks.

"While no setting is immune from COVID-19, the cruise industry's new protocols provide among the highest possible levels of prevention, detection and mitigation," he said.

The move comes despite COVID-19 infections remaining high.

Almost 36,000 new cases were reported across the nation on Monday, along with 10 virus-related deaths.

LATEST 24-HOUR COVID-19 DATA FROM ACROSS AUSTRALIA:

NSW: 11,166 cases, four deaths, 1576 in hospital, 67 in ICU

Victoria: 7918 cases, one death, 431 in hospital, 30 in ICU

Western Australia: 5605 cases, no deaths, 227 in hospital, six in ICU

Queensland: 5141 cases, four deaths, 551 in hospital, 19 in ICU

South Australia: 3560 cases, no deaths, 245 in hospital, 11 in ICU

Tasmania: 1372 cases, no deaths, 44 in hospital, one in ICU

ACT: 734 cases, no deaths, 58 in hospital, two in ICU

Northern Territory: 386 cases, one death, 30 in hospital, two in ICU

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Luxury cruise ship Pacific Explorer has pulled into Sydney Harbour, making it the first to return to Australian shores since a ban triggered by the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020.

P&O Australia's $400 million luxury liner, which has capacity for almost 2000 passengers, arrived in Sydney on Monday morning.

The ship docked surrounded by tugboats, with a huge banner at the bow reading "We're Home".

The Explorer's return to full service will coincide with that of Ponant's Le Laperouse, which will begin operations between Darwin and Broome on April 28, joining local operators in time for the Kimberley cruise season.

Federal biosecurity measures barring entry of cruise ships and mandating COVID-19 tests for inbound travellers lapsed on Sunday.

NSW, Victoria and Queensland have outlined testing and vaccination requirements for passengers and crew in preparation for the ships to return.

However, Tasmania is still reviewing whether such a move is safe for the island state.

Cruise Lines International Association Australia says the lifting of the ban will see "a carefully managed resumption of operations" in a sector that previously supported more than 18,000 jobs.

Cruise Lines' Australasian managing director Joel Katz said before the pandemic more than a million Australians a year took an ocean cruise.

"We now have an opportunity to return to sailing and revive an industry that was worth more than $5 billion annually to the Australian economy," he said.

"While no setting is immune from COVID-19, the cruise industry's new protocols provide among the highest possible levels of prevention, detection and mitigation."

The move comes despite COVID-19 infections remaining high.

More than 31,000 new cases have been reported across the nation so far on Monday, along with 10 virus-related deaths.

Meanwhile, Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen is isolating after testing positive.

Labor's Home Affairs spokeswoman Kristina Keneally and Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews contracted the virus last week.

Elsewhere, Health Victoria is monitoring the new BA.4 or BA.5 Omicron variant after samples were confirmed in a catchment at Tullamarine, north of Melbourne.

The sub-variant has been recently detected in a small number of cases in South Africa, Botswana, Belgium, Denmark, the United Kingdom and Germany, but is not considered a cause for alarm.

LATEST 24-HOUR COVID-19 DATA FROM ACROSS AUSTRALIA:

NSW: 11,166 cases, four deaths, 1576 in hospital, 67 in ICU

Victoria: 7918 cases, one death, 431 in hospital, 30 in ICU

Western Australia: 5605 cases, no deaths, 227 in hospital, six in ICU

Queensland: 5141 cases, four deaths, 551 in hospital, 19 in ICU

Tasmania: 1372 cases, no deaths, 44 in hospital, one in ICU

Northern Territory: 386 cases, one death, 30 in hospital, two in ICU

© AAP 2022

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A frustrated Adam O'Brien will seek a meeting with the NRL over refereeing concerns after Newcastle's controversial 21-16 loss to St George Illawarra.

Zac Lomax was the hero for the Dragons at WIN Stadium, nailing a 78th-minute field goal to help end their four-match losing streak.

But it came in dramatic circumstances, with the Knights believing they were denied a penalty for an offside from the ensuing kick off when Lomax fumbled the ball and Jaydn Su'A recovered.

With the score at 17-16 and two minutes to play, the Knights believed they should have earned a penalty and the opportunity to take the lead -- instead the Dragons went down field to score again.

"We had some guys have an off day. I reckon there was some other people that had an off day today too," O'Brien said.

"In more scenarios than that (offside). I will take that up during the week but I am getting sick of taking that up.

"We have our own backyard to clean up, but it's frustrating."

Also frustrating O'Brien was the fact the Knights were unable to earn a set restart -- as their losing streak was extended to four in a row.

"I am trying to get some clarity," O'Brien said.

"I have scheduled a meeting with them (the NRL) for next week because I have left it alone for the first five rounds.

"But some inconsistencies keep happening in the game. And after tonight I will have to add to that list.

"Because 5-0 restarts, we're a big team, we fight to play-the-ball quick. We often find our front. There is some bizarre stuff."

After a horror four-week run of results that had put him under pressure as coach, Dragons mentor Anthony Griffin cared little for the controversy.

Moses Suli was brilliant for the hosts at left centre, while Lomax and Bradman Best's battle on the other side was the highlight of the match.

Lomax's evening was action-packed, enraging Tyson Frizell when he leapt on him in a try-scoring celebration that sparked a melee.

After both sides fumbled their way through the first half and the Dragons led 8-4, the Knights got back in the game when Dane Gagai finished off a nice try on the right edge.

The Dragons took the lead back when Ben Hunt wrapped around and broke down the left edge to kick for a chasing Jack Bird to score.

The Saints then scored again, this time through Mathew Feagai when they moved to the left.

But Best stood up to get the Knights back in it at 16-all.

The 20-year-old made the most of a David Klemmer offload to get around Lomax, breaking down field to put Kalyn Ponga over for his four-pointer.

It came as Ponga enjoyed his best game of the season, also setting up a first-half try, as rumours continue to swirl around his future at the club.

Ultimately though Lomax would have the last laugh, sealing just the Dragons' second win in 14 games.

"The good part for us was we had to win it two or three times," Griffin said.

"A couple of weeks ago we probably don't win that game."

© AAP 2022