Arrival of Pacific Encounter continues P&O’s local fleet transformation.
P&O Cruises Australia has just announced that Pacific Dawn and Pacific Aria will leave the company in 2021, as the latest stage in the “reshaping” of the local P&O fleet.
Pacific Dawn will depart in Feb 2021, and Pacific Aria‘s final voyage will be in Apr 2021, while later in the year Star Princess will join the P&O Australia fleet, and be re-named Pacific Encounter.
P&O Cruises President, Sture Myrmell, said the changes were part of the previously announced strategy of replacing vessels over time with larger ships, to enable the cruise line to meet demand and exceed guest expectations in this region.
Next year Golden Princess will join P&O Australia and be renamed Pacific Adventure, and from late 2021 the fleet will thus comprise Pacific Explorer, Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter, with a total capacity of about 9,000 guests – equivalent to overall capacity when the fleet comprised five smaller vessels.
“We have a clear picture of the P&O fleet of the future, and it is a very exciting prospect with the brand well-positioned to lead in this dynamic market,” Myrmell said.
More details in tomorrow’s issue of Cruise Weekly.