<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">P&amp;O Cruises has announced Pacific Sun will return to Newcastle for a third season in 2012, offering six cruises to local holidaymakers. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P&amp;O Cruises, said the decision to base Pacific Sun in Newcastle in February and March 2012 would contribute more than $3 million to the local economy through passenger and crew spending, port fees and ship stores. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Travellers in the Hunter region have responded positively to the opportunity to cruise from their doorsteps during Pacific Sun&rsquo;s first two seasons from the city and we expect her third season to be just as popular with travellers around Australia," Ms Sherry said. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Holidaymakers in the Hunter region want good value and relaxing holidays to exciting destinations, which is exactly what a cruise offers." </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Announced as part of the cruise line&rsquo;s latest program release, the decision to deploy Pacific Sun in 2012 will deliver almost 20,000 passengers and crew to the Newcastle region over a two-month period. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The 47,000-tonne Pacific Sun will sail her inaugural Newcastle season between September and October 2010 and will return for another season in February and March 2011. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Pacific Sun&rsquo;s third season will feature a mix of short and longer cruises including two and four-night cruise, as well as a nine-night and 10-night South Pacific voyage, a 10-night Queensland coastal cruise and a 14-night sailing around New Zealand. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">A highlight of the new season is one of P&amp;O Cruises popular comedy-themed four-night short break cruises, sailing a roundtrip from Newcastle to Melbourne priced from $929* per person. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fares for a 10-night voyage visiting sunny Queensland in mid-March 2012 start from $1989* per person, with Pacific Sun visiting the Whitsundays, Townsville, Cairns and Brisbane as well as offering scenic cruising past Willis Island. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Ms Sherry said P&amp;O Cruises&rsquo; new program offered Australian travellers the largest ever selection of cruise holidays. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Releasing our cruise schedule up until the end of March 2012 will also give our passengers the chance to book earlier to secure their ideal cruise holiday," Ms Sherry said. </span></p>