The plagued Artania cruise ship has started its journey home from Western Australia.

The ship had been docked in Fremantle with crew on board for more than three weeks, having secured an additional 14-day quarantine period.

A total of 79 crew and passengers from the Artania tested positive to coronavirus in WA.

A 42-year-old crewman from the Philippines died in a Perth hospital on Thursday, taking the state's toll to seven.