Australian Cruising Boom Continues With Launch Of P&o Cruises' Pacific Jewel

Australian Cruising Boom Continues with Launch of P&O Cruises' Pacific Jewel

P&O Cruises will launch its latest superliner Pacific Jewel in Sydney tonight in response to Australians' growing demand for cruise holidays.

The Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce AC, will officially name the superliner in a spectacular ceremony at Sydney's Circular Quay with celebrations open to the public from 5pm.

The debut of Pacific Jewel represents a massive 50 per cent increase in the size of P&O Cruises' fleet and has been driven by consumer demand, according to Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises.

Ms Sherry said official figures showed that more than 330,000 Australians took a cruise holiday in 2008 up 26 per cent on the previous year with the Australian cruise industry now contributing $1.2 billion to the Australian economy, a 54 per cent increase from the year before.

"Australia is one of the fastest growing cruise markets in the world, so we're responding by introducing more ships and sailing from more Australian ports than ever before," Ms Sherry said.

Carrying 1950 passengers, the 70,000 tonne Pacific Jewel will be based full time in Sydney, offering cruises to destinations in the South Pacific. She joins P&O Cruises' existing ships, Pacific Dawn, which will be based in Brisbane, and Pacific Sun, which will sail from Newcastle, Fremantle and Sydney. A fourth ship, Pacific Pearl, will join the cruise line in December 2010, sailing from Sydney and Auckland.

Ms Sherry said more and more Australians were recognising cruising as a great value holiday, which included meals, accommodation, transport between ports and entertainment in one fare.

"They're also discovering it's a great way to travel you just step onboard, unpack once and relax as all the destinations come to you."

Pacific Jewel features a number of firsts for the Australian cruise market including the largest spa at sea on an Australian ship, an open-air deck with aerial stage for circus and music performances and the first restaurant at sea for internationally renowned chef Luke Mangan.

Tonight's naming of Pacific Jewel will be the highlight of a memorable public event, which will feature a line-up of free family entertainment and a stunning fireworks display. All proceeds from the evening will to go to the Governor-General's nominated charities, the Leukaemia Foundation of Australia and Special Olympics Australia.

Ms Sherry said she hoped Sydneysiders would join in the celebrations at the Overseas Passenger Terminal, with the traditional champagne smashing ceremony to be projected live onto the side of Pacific Jewel.

For more information on Pacific Jewel's launch event, visit www.pocruises.com.au.

Media contacts:
Anthony Fisk or Jane Humphries, Carnival Australia
02 8424 8861/0414 848 125 or
[email protected]

SOURCE: P&O