More cruise ships, sooner

Cruise passengers will arrive in Busselton in larger numbers and sooner than first anticipated.

Princess Cruises has confirmed it will make eight calls to Busselton from November through to March 2016. Previously, the company announced P&O’s Pacific Jewel would call at Busselton during two cruises in April and May 2015.

Princess Cruises Australia vice president Stuart Allison said the number of visits to Busselton was increased to include the city in its 2015/16 Sun Princess summer deployment.

“The planned first call in April 2015 is by our sister brand P&O Cruises Australia with Pacific Jewel, ” he said.

“Given Busselton is a suitable port for our ships to visit, we saw this as a good opportunity to enhance an existing Princess Cruises itinerary on Diamond Princess.

“We regard Busselton as a fantastic destination in its own right in addition to being a gateway to the Margaret River district.”

The first Busselton stop is scheduled for November 27.

This will be followed by stops next year on March 10, April 13, May 28 and November 7.

The 2016 dates are January 7, March 23 and March 27.

Busselton retailers have welcomed the news cruise ships will be stopping sooner and more often than had first been anticipated.

Busselton Books owner Ruthe Martin said she would consider extending her opening hours to cater to the influx of cruise passengers.

Ms Martin said while some visitors would tour Margaret River wineries, many would remain in Busselton.

“When I went on a cruise I liked the free time onshore just to wander around not doing tours, ” she said.

“Not everyone wants to visit wineries.”

Cod Rocks partner Peter Camplin said he thought Busselton had enough going for it to encourage cruise passengers to stay in the area.

“I think our jetty and foreshore is a good introduction to the area, ” he said.

Mr Allison said any cruise ship visit was a boon for a tourist destination.

“Typically, passengers will spend a good part of the day in Busselton itself checking out the sights, shopping and trying out the restaurants and cafés for local food attractions, ” he said.

“Many others will take organised shore tours to more distant attractions, especially to the Margaret River district.”

I think our jetty and foreshore is a good introduction to the area.Peter Camplin