Twenty-three year old Melina Roberge and Andre Tamine, 64, had previously denied their roles in importing 95kg of drugs on the Sea Princess in 2016.

However they have now changed their pleas ahead of a trial which is due to start this week, according to the BBC.

A third Canadian, Isabelle Lagace, 29, was sentenced to jail in November for her role in the smuggling.

The cocaine is understood to have had a street value of £12 million according to the authorities, making it the largest seizure of its kind on a passenger boat in Australia.

Roberge and Lagace had posted photos of themselves enjoying a seven-week holiday onboard the cruise which had set sail from Southampton. However when the ship docked in Sydney police sniffer dogs found 35kg of cocaine within their shared cabin. Another 60kg was then found in Tamine’s cabin.

Authorities have linked the three women to a “well organised syndicate”.

All three were charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine, which carries a maximum life sentence in jail.

Lagace, who was reportedly trying to clear an AU $20,000 debt, was given a seven and half year sentence. Roberge and Tamine will be sentenced later this year.