P&O Cruises to make maiden calls to three Australian ports

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Pearl is to make maiden calls at several Australian ports over the next couple of weeks.

On 22 February, Pacific Pearl will make the line’s first ever call at the port of Eden on the Sapphire Coast in New South Wales. While in Eden, the ship’s 1,800 guests will be able to visit the Killer Whale Museum, the wharf and local oyster farms.

Pacific Pearl will return to the port on 6 March, while Pacific Dawn will make her inaugural call on 24 November and Pacific Eden, which will be transferred from Holland America Line to the P&O fleet this November, will call at the port on 10 January and 2 February 2016. In total, the visits are expected to inject around AUS$2 million into the local economy.

“Eden is a beautiful coastal town so we’re delighted to be adding the port to our growing regional line-up this year,” Tammy Marshall, P&O’s senior vice president. “In addition to the Sapphire Coast’s many attractions, Eden has the only deep water harbour between Sydney and Melbourne, making it an ideal cruise destination for our increasingly popular short break cruises of three to four nights.”

Following her visit to Eden, Pacific Pearl will also make P&O’s first visits to the ports of Mornington and Portland in Victoria on 24 and 25 February respectively. The calls are included as part of the ship’s new eight-night roundtrip itineraries from Sydney, which also include a trip to Kangaroo Island in South Australia.

While in Mornington, guests will be able to swim with dolphins and sea dragons, or visit Sorrento, Portsea and various wineries. In Portland, they will be able to explore the port’s maritime history and or see the fur seals at Cape Bridgewater.

Over the next 12 months, P&O’s ships will make five calls to Mornington Peninsula and seven to Portland, generating around AUS$5 million for the local communities.

“We’re thrilled to be taking our guests to some of Victoria’s most beautiful coastal areas, while also spreading the valuable cruise dollar further in what is sure to be a boon for these regional towns,” said Marshall.

Earlier this year, Pacific Jewel, Pacific Dawn and Pacific Pearl simultaneously berthed in Sydney for the first time to mark Australia Day.