Pacific Sun Moves to Brisbane
Date: 17 Nov 2007
P&O Cruises’ Pacific Sun has arrived in its new home town of Brisbane, claiming the title of the largest ship ever to be based in Queensland as demand for cruise holidays continues to surge.
The 47,000-tonne passenger ship berthed at the Portside Wharf at Hamilton early this morning and will leave on her first Brisbane cruise at 2pm this afternoon, carrying 1900 passengers on a seven-night South Pacific holiday.
Pacific Sun’s move to Brisbane represents a 40 per cent increase in P&O Cruises’ capacity in the Queensland market. The ship’s little sister, the 1350-passenger Pacific Star, has now moved from Brisbane to Auckland before she leaves the fleet in March 2008.
Stretching 223 metres from bow to stern, Pacific Sun features 743 cabins – almost two thirds of which have ocean views – and multiple entertainment areas over nine decks.
Commenting on Pacific Sun’s deployment, Ann Sherry, Chief Executive Officer of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said it was testament to the growing popularity of cruising in Queensland.
“P&O Cruises has had one of its ships calling Queensland home since November 2004 and we’ve seen some dramatic growth in the local cruise market in that time,” Ms Sherry said.
“Not only have Queenslanders been keen to cruise from their doorstep, our seven-night voyages from Brisbane have also proved a winner with interstate passengers and holidaymakers from New Zealand who love Queensland’s close proximity to South Pacific destinations.”
Ms Sherry said many interstate and international visitors were combining their cruise holidays with a short stay on the Gold Coast or the Sunshine Coast, generating even greater benefits for both Queensland tourism and the economy.
Latest research supplied by Tourism Queensland showed that the 2006-07 cruise season was worth $132.6 million to the State’s economy – a nine-fold increase from 2001 when the industry was estimated to be worth just $14 million.
Sailing more than 40 cruises from Brisbane through to January 2009, Pacific Sun will offer a huge choice of itineraries to ports dotted throughout the South Pacific and north Queensland, including tropical islands in Vanuatu, Fiji and New Caledonia, the stunning Whitsundays, Cairns and Port Douglas.
“Pacific Star has been a huge success for us in Queensland, carrying thousands of passengers to idyllic destinations in the South Pacific and Queensland. Pacific Sun’s move to Brisbane is further proof of our commitment to local cruising, allowing us to boost capacity on each departure and give Queenslanders even more cruise holiday options,” Ms Sherry said.
“We’re sure Queenslanders will appreciate Pacific Sun’s laid-back style and welcome our ship as warmly as our passengers further south, with whom she was a firm favourite.”
The 1900-passenger Pacific Sun is well suited to the sunny Queensland climate, offering passengers plenty of deck space and outdoor entertainment areas, including a giant 35-metre waterslide, two pools and two whirlpool spas.
Fares for Pacific Sun cruises start at $595 per person complete quad-share or $895 per person complete twin-share for a seven-night South Pacific cruise departing January 12, 2008.*
*Subject to availability, conditions apply
