P&O Cruises’ Pacific Sun is getting into the festive spirit early this year by making her historic maiden call to Christmas Island today, December 23.
Presently sailing a 16-night cruise to Indonesia as part of her first season of voyages from Western Australia, Pacific Sun will be the first cruise ship to visit Christmas Island.
During their day onshore, passengers have the opportunity to explore the island with a range of walking tours, fishing charters and scuba diving trips on offer.
Jenny Lourey, Senior Vice President of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said the visit was one of the highlights of the ship’s two-week Christmas cruise, with 1900 passengers able to watch the celebrated red crabs concluding their annual migration across the island.
“We’re always looking to add new ports of call to our itineraries and this turned out to be the perfect time for Pacific Sun to make her first call to Christmas Island,” Ms Lourey said.
“Pacific Sun would not have been able to make this maiden visit had it not been for the Federal Government’s investment in a mooring facility, a decision which will grow Christmas Island as a tourist destination for future cruise ship visits.”
In another boost for the WA cruise industry, P&O Cruises announced last week Pacific Sun would return for a second cruise season from Fremantle in 2011, offering nine cruises between July and October.
According to an Access Economics report released this month, cruising contributed more than $21 million to the WA economy in 2007-08, an increase of 130 per cent on the previous year’s $9 million.
Ms Lourey said passenger numbers from WA were expected to more than quadruple by 2020, increasing from 40,000 in 2010 to 162,000 in 2020.
The 47,000-tonne Pacific Sun features a child-free Oasis spa retreat, an oceanview gym and coffee bar, as well as five restaurants and cafes, multiple bars and lounges and two pools.
She will return to Fremantle from her present cruise on January 4, 2010.
Meanwhile, Carnival Australia cruise lines will make a record 47 calls to ports in WA this summer cruise season, including the maiden visits of Cunard Line’s magnificent Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.
For more information and bookings contact a licensed travel agent, P&O Cruises on 13 24 94 or visit www.pocruises.com.au
Media information:
Anthony Fisk, Public Affairs Manager
+612 8424 8861 or +61 (0)414 848 125