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2015/16 cruise season soon to set sail

By October 23, 2015January 18th, 2018Cruise Ships, Industry News & Updates, What's on?

Diamond Princess | 7 November

The next cruise season is just on the horizon with the arrival of the Diamond Princess kicking things off in the Margaret River Region with a scheduled return on Saturday 7 November to Busselton.

Busselton is the first port of call on an 18 day voyage from Fremantle to Sydney via Adelaide and New Zealand on the return leg of a 34 day circumnavigation of Australia.

The Diamond Princess is scheduled to anchor at 6.30am and depart at 6.00pm, with a capacity for 2,670 passengers and 1,100 crew. As part of a longer voyage and a Saturday arrival, it’s anticipated to be a busy day with a higher volume as seniors travelling.

Scheduled activities:

Along with the opportunity to book one of several regional shore excursions, the City of Busselton, Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association (MRBTA), community and business groups have been working to schedule activities to welcome cruise ship passengers similar in style to earlier visits. This has proved to be a winning formula based on ship passenger survey results.

100% of Busselton transit passengers had a positive experience in Busselton - Three out of five (61%) transit passengers rated their overall experience at the destination as “excellent", a further 34% rated their experience as “very good”and the remainer as good.

96% said they would recommend Busselton as a holiday destination to family and friends.

Tourism WA independent research

Passenger arrival (from 6.55am)

Passengers will arrive at the eastern arm of the Swim Jetty which will be closed to the general public. The swimming area and western pier will remain accessible. Once again,  volunteers and Jetty Hosts will be on hand at the foreshore distributing maps and information to assist disembarking passengers.

Road & car park closures:

  • 06:00  to 17:00 – 7 November 2015
    The road north of Stanley Street from Marine Terrace to the foreshore car park and returning to Marine Terrace at Queen Street and the  car park between the Equinox and Busselton Visitor Centre on the foreshore. This will be used for coach and tours transport and will become one-way only
  • 06:30 to 16:00 – 7 November 2015
    Queen Street in the Cultural Precinct will be closed to traffic for the “Cruise in” markets and to facilitate the movement of pedestrian traffic through to the CBD.