<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Norfolk Island has welcomed the return of P&amp;O Cruises to its shores after almost 80 years, with the launch of a series of commemorative stamps. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The stamps feature past and present ships from P&amp;O Cruises&rsquo; fleet, including the 47,000-tonne Pacific Sun which made her maiden call to Norfolk Island on March 26, berthing at a custom-made floating pontoon. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">P&amp;O Cruises&rsquo; connection with Norfolk Island began in 1932 when the 22,500-tonne Strathaird visited the island on the cruise line&rsquo;s first roundtrip voyage from Australia. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Producing its own highly sought after stamps since 1939, the Norfolk Island Philatelic Bureau regularly issues stamps to celebrate the island&rsquo;s heritage, tourism, flora and fauna as well as special events. But the cruise ship stamps are a first for both the island and P&amp;O Cruises. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">In addition to Pacific Sun, the five limited edition stamps feature Strathaird as well as P&amp;O Cruises&rsquo; Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel and its latest liner, Pacific Pearl, to be launched later this year. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The series of 20,000 stamps were launched at an onboard ceremony to mark Pacific Sun&rsquo;s arrival and are available for sale on the Island and onboard the ship until sold out. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">P&amp;O Cruises will have three ships making 10 visits to Norfolk Island from Sydney and Auckland between March 2010 and June 2011, including four visits from P&amp;O Cruises&rsquo; latest liner, Pacific Pearl. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Carnival Australia Senior Vice President Jenny Lourey said P&amp;O Cruises was delighted to be revisiting its first ever international port. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Norfolk Island is such a unique destination, we&rsquo;re sure its many natural and historical attractions will be a hit with our passengers," Ms Lourey said. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">"This commemorative stamp issue celebrates the return of cruise ships to Norfolk Island after nearly 80 years and is set to become a collector&rsquo;s classic," Norfolk Island Minister for Tourism Industry and Development the Hon Andre Nobbs said. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">The 47,000-tonne Pacific Sun features a child-free Oasis spa retreat, an oceanview gym and coffee bar, as well as five restaurants and cafes, multiple bars and lounges and two pools. </span></p>
<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fares for a 10-night cruise on Pacific Sun from Auckland to Norfolk Island and the South Pacific start from $1292* per person twin share departing May 24, 2010. Pacific Pearl will visit Norfolk Island on an eight-night cruise from Sydney to Auckland departing April 24, 2011, priced from $1199* per person. </span></p>