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Cruising at record numbers

An ocean liner heads into Fremantle Port. Picture: Bob Sommerville

The romance of an ocean cruise is enticing near record numbers of people to WA shores.

Cruise ship passengers at Fremantle port have exceeded 100,000 in 2014-15 - the most in 42 years.

Fremantle Ports trade development manager Thor Elliott said 111,555 passengers had already crossed Fremantle this financial year. More than 98,000 had embarked or disembarked in Fremantle and about 15,000 passed through. And that is not expected to slow.

"We estimate the final total will be about 117,000 passengers from 43 ship visits," Mr Elliott said.

"The last time the Port of Fremantle passed the 100,000-passenger mark was in 1972-73, when 118,172 passengers came through the port. With 56 ship visits scheduled for next year, the figures can only improve."

More than one million Australians had a cruise holiday last year. Luxurious Cunard ocean liner Queen Mary 2 would visit Busselton in February 2017, it was announced on Tuesday.

The Federal Government will help fund a new landing platform at Busselton jetty.

The City of Busselton will match $600,000 of government funds to extend the existing jetty to accommodate cruise ship tender vessels and other recreational vessels. It is expected to be complete by June next year.

Busselton mayor Ian Stubbs said the landing would allow passengers to disembark more efficiently and comfortably.