In an historic display, P&O Cruises’ entire fleet of three cruise ships will spend Australia Day berthed in Sydney offering around 6000 guests a front row seat to all the action on the harbour.
The trio is set to begin sailing through the heads at 530am with Pacific Dawn to be based off Kurraba Point, Pacific Jewel berthing at Athol Bay and Pacific Pearl anchoring at Point Piper.
To mark the occasion, Pacific Pearl and Pacific Jewel will sport patriotic decals with the nation’s catch cry, “Aussie, Aussie, Aussie”, while Pacific Dawn will be draped in giant Australian flags.
The three ships will enter the harbour at 15 minute intervals and are expected to be in position by 645am and dressed by 730am.
It will be the first time all three P&O Cruises’ ships have met in Sydney, with the display marking the third year the cruise line has been the official sponsor of the Australia Day Sydney Harbour Program.
P&O Cruises Senior Vice President Tammy Marshall said P&O Cruises’ decked-out superliners had become one of the key features of Australia Day on the harbour.
“We’re as Australian as meat pies and kangaroos so we’re thrilled to bring our entire fleet into Sydney’s iconic harbour for the first time on our national day,” Ms Marshall said.
Special Australia Day events on the harbour include the Ferrython, the Army’s 21-gun Salute to Australia, RAAF flyover, a Harbour Parade, a Tug and Yacht Ballet, a ‘tinnie muster’, Tall Ships Parade which Pacific Pearl will start with her horn, the P&O Cruises’ fireworks display between the three ships at 830pm, and for the first time HMAS Canberra will join the festivities in the centre of the harbour.
Australian entertainers will perform on the ships, while guests will dance the day away to Aussie music, watch Australian movies and enjoy a quintessential Aussie BBQ onboard.
Pacific Pearl’s three-night Australia Day cruise from Sydney commences on January 24, Pacific Jewel’s three-night Australia Day cruise from Sydney will run from January 25 while Pacific Dawn will offer her first Australia Day short break with a four-night roundtrip itinerary departing Brisbane on January 24.
P&O Cruises’ 2016 Australia Day itineraries start from $579* per person on Pacific Pearl’s three-night roundtrip Sydney itinerary departing on January 24, 2016.