| Cruises return to QLD

P&O Cruises’ Pacific Dawn docked in Airlie Beach today, as the first cruise ship to return to the Whitsundays town since Cyclone Debbie’s onslaught.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the arrival of Pacific Dawn at Airlie Beach would inject confidence and cash in the Whitsunday region.

Carnival Australia exec chairman Ann Sherry, who travelled with the Premier, pledged that cruising would play a significant part in Qld’s economic recovery, with 34 ships from across Carnival Australia’s brands scheduled to visit the region this year.

Sherry said $10,000 from the P&O Pacific Partnership would be devoted to cyclone relief.