Super Thursday As Three Superliners Arrive In Sydney

MEDIA ALERT

Attention News Editors, Chiefs of Staff & Pic Editors

Super Thursday as Three Superliners Arrive in Sydney

6-7am Thursday December 10, 2009

Sydney will score a cruise trifecta this Thursday when its Harbour plays host to three superliners.

All three ships will glide into the Harbour between 6am and 7am, including Princess Cruises' massive 116,000-tonne megaliner Diamond Princess, making her first visit of the cruise season, along with her sister, the popular 77,000-tonne Sun Princess and P&O Cruises' latest superliner, the 70,000-tonne Pacific Jewel.

Pacific Jewel's visit marks her maiden call to Australia before her official naming by the Governor-General at Circular Quay on Saturday evening. Her company and crew will flank the top deck as she sails through Sydney Harbour tomorrow, with trapeze artists expected on her unique circus rig in preparation for the launch party on Saturday evening.

The three ships are all operated by Australia's leading cruise company, Carnival Australia, which is enjoying its largest ever cruise season as the popularity of cruise holidays continues to surge.

The trio's visit follows the release this week of a new Access Economic report, which values the cruise sector's economic contribution at A$1.2 billion in 2007-08 up 54 per cent on the previous year.

Between them, the superliners carry 6650 passengers and 2500 crew, with their visit this week contributing more than $3 million to Sydney's economy.

Details: Super Thursday as Sydney welcomes three superliners on December 10:

1. Princess Cruises' Diamond Princess expected through the Heads at 5.15am and berthing at Circular Quay around 6am

2. Princess Cruises' Sun Princess, expected through the Heads at 6am and berthing at Wharf 8 Darling Harbour around 7am

3. P&O Cruises' latest superliner Pacific Jewel, debuting at the Heads at 6.30am and berthing at White Bay, Rozelle around 7.30am.

Media information:
Anthony Fisk/Jane Humphries, Carnival Australia
+61 2 8424 8861

SOURCE: Carnival Australia