Passengers arrive seven hours early for Australia's first cruise

Sailing through a sparkling Sydney Harbour, Australia's first cruise ship in more than two years finally set sail today.

The cruise is carrying 1500 passengers and 800 crew, as P&O's Pacific Explorer sails towards Brisbane.

The atmosphere was electric at the White Bay Cruise Terminal in Sydney and some passengers arrived seven hours early with their bags packed and bustling to get on board.

READ MORE: Motorists 'gobsmacked' by seatbelt fines speak out

Henada Berram who runs a travel blog, Cruising with Honey, said "Cruising is back".

"Absolutely buzzing with excitement, everyone is just thrilled to be back on board to see cruising restarting in Australia ... and I think there will be a few tears," Berram said.

"I have 207 guests from my cruising community joining me on board Pacific Explorer today."

READ MORE: Couple slugged with $15,000 Qantas bill after booking mistake

"We're actually running at a bit less than full capacity and that's to give the crew a fair go, they haven't delivered a cruise in more than two years so to ease the pressure on them as they get themselves back into it," David Jones from P&O said.

Jones couldn't wipe the smile off his face today.

"We loaded 100 tonnes of vegetables, meat, eggs - eggs in their thousands," Jones said.