Sun to Shine in Perth
Date: 25 May 2007
Perth’s status as an international cruise hub will be given a further boost next year with Princess Cruises today announcing a $4 million plan to base its luxury 1950-passenger superliner, Sun Princess, in Fremantle.
The 77,000-ton Sun Princess is the biggest cruise ship ever to sail from Australia year-round and the largest ship ever based in Perth.
Sun Princess will offer three round-trip cruises from Fremantle to Asia and two voyages between Fremantle and Sydney from April to June, 2008.
The deployment will generate more than $4 million income for the Western Australia economy across a range of areas including ship supplies, port fees and spending by almost 10,000 Western Australian and interstate passengers travelling to Fremantle to board the ship.
The move creates a new cruise season for Perth beyond the traditional summer period, and follows strong growth in demand for cruise holidays among West Australians.
“Cruising is booming around the world and Australia is no exception,” Princess Cruises’ Acting Managing Director in Australia, Dean Brown, said.
“In recent years we’ve seen a steady increase in bookings from Western Australia for our premium Princess cruise ships, so we felt the time was right for Perth to gain its first superliner,” Mr Brown said.
“This deployment means West Australians will be able to enjoy all the pleasure and convenience of cruising from their own doorstep. Our exciting cruise itineraries are also certain to attract passengers from South Australia and other states to Perth.”
Sun Princess’ season in Perth will start with an 18-night voyage from Sydney to Fremantle via the north of Australia on April 18, 2008, with the cruise including visits to Broome and scenic cruising of the spectacular Kimberley region.
The superliner will then offer three round-trip cruises to Asia departing Fremantle on May 6, May 21 and June 11. The Western Australian season will conclude with an 18-night journey via the Top End back to the East Coast for a season of cruises from Sydney and Melbourne.
Built in 1995, Sun Princess offers 975 staterooms - almost half with private balconies - as well as a grand four-storey atrium with a stained-glass dome and glass elevators, eight restaurants and cafes, seven lounges, four pools and five whirlpool spas.
Unlike other premium cruise ships, Sun Princess will be tailored to the Australian market with Australian dollars and Australian entertainment onboard as well as itineraries designed for the local market.
Mr Brown said Sun Princess would be joined by sister ship Dawn Princess during the 2008-09 summer, in a move which will represent an increase of almost 350 per cent in Princess Cruises’ premium cruising capacity in Australia.
Cruises on Sun Princess from and to Perth will go on sale on 25 May, 2007. For more information and bookings see a licensed travel agent, phone Princess Cruises on 13 24 88
