OREANDA-NEWS. Superliner Pacific Jewel will become the first P&O Cruises' ship to visit Busselton when it anchors in Geographe Bay this Friday (April 24).

The 70,310-tonne ship is due to make its maiden call around 8am with its 1950 guests transferring to the town for a full day of dining, sightseeing and shopping in the local area.

Pacific Jewel is visiting the area during a three-night cruise from Fremantle, as part of the ship's first ever season of Western Australian cruises. The ship will also enjoy a second call to Busselton on May 9, with each visit injecting around \\$200,000 into the local community.

The addition of two new ships to the P&O Cruises' fleet in late November will pave the way for more itinerary options for Western Australian cruisers, with the 1500-passenger Pacific Eden to be based in Fremantle for a record three month season next year.