P&O Cruises’ Pacific Sun has sailed into Newcastle this morning, marking the dawn of a new industry for the city.

The 47,000-tonne cruise ship will be based in Newcastle for a series of six cruises over the next two months, with the season expected to inject around $3 million into the local economy.

To coincide with Pacific Sun’s arrival, P&O Cruises has announced that local rugby league identity Paul Harragon will be the company’s ambassador for its maiden Hunter season.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises Australia, said Mr Harragon was a keen cruiser and the ideal person to promote cruising locally.

“Paul has cruised many times so he knows what a great value, fun holiday it is – which is exactly what thousands of Novocastrians are about to discover too,” Ms Sherry said.

Mr Harragon said he was confident that the Hunter and other regional centres would embrace the cruising experience from Newcastle.

“I’m honoured to take on this ambassador role for Pacific Sun and P&O Cruises,” Mr Harragon said.

“My family and I are no strangers to the cruising experience. To be able to now enjoy this from our doorstep is a fantastic opportunity that I’m sure the people of the Hunter will embrace and make a great success, not only for P&O Cruises but also our region.”

Ms Sherry said that Pacific Sun’s arrival was a milestone for Newcastle, with the city set to benefit through crew and passenger spending, port fees and providoring of wine from the Hunter district.

“Newcastle has been an increasingly popular port of call for visiting cruise ships, but basing a ship here will really put the city on the cruise map. This is the first time P&O Cruises has homeported one of its ships outside a capital city so it’s a real statement of confidence in Newcastle’s potential.”

Pacific Sun will set sail at 4pm today on a 10-night South Pacific cruise visiting Emerald Bay, Noumea and Isle of Pines in New Caledonia as well as Brisbane. Her season will feature three other South Pacific cruises, one Queensland cruise and a two-night cruise to Sydney.

The cruise ship will return to Newcastle for a second season in February 2011, sailing on four cruises.

Ms Sherry said P&O Cruises’ decision to homeport from Newcastle reflected growing demand for cruise holidays amongst Australians, with latest industry statistics showing more than 365,000 Australians took a cruise holiday in 2009.

“Cruising is an industry that’s growing rapidly but still has so much more potential for growth. We’re tipping that one million Australians will be cruising annually by 2020, so it’s up to ports like Newcastle to seize the opportunity to be part of this boom,” she said.