P&O Cruises today announced that its latest ship, Pacific Explorer, will be emblazoned with the Southern Cross, a national symbol in both Australia and New Zealand and a celestial constellation that has guided generations of seafarers.
The five-star constellation, a Southern Hemisphere feature of the Milky Way and the brilliant night sky, has strong emotional ties for people in both countries and has become etched in their national identities.
Incorporated in national flags, the Australian national anthem and even in the Australian cricket side’s victory song, ‘Under the Southern Cross I Stand’, one of the brightest constellations in the southern sky will now lead the way in local cruising.
“We couldn’t think of a more powerful symbol to launch Pacific Explorer’s new era of local cruising than the Southern Cross,” P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said. “It is a symbol that is close to our hearts as Australia’s home brand cruise line and it strikes a chord with our many Australian and New Zealand guests.
“The Southern Cross is also an ageless pointer to contemporary cruising and the region in which our ships sail. We are proud to unveil Pacific Explorer’s ‘Sailing Stars’ design,” Mr Myrmell said.
Part of a spectacular and distinctive wave design, the five stars of the Southern Cross will decorate the bow of Pacific Explorer with a sweeping flourish when the ship debuts in Sydney in late June 2017.
The new livery is a contemporary interpretation of the classic Southern Cross symbol. It represents P&O Cruises’ affinity with the ocean, the cruise line’s sense of adventure and its commitment to delivering memorable cruise holidays.
Adaption of the Southern Cross symbol is also in line with P&O Cruises’ proud heritage as the pioneer of cruising in the Australasian region. P&O began cruising from Australia in December 1932 when Strathaird sailed from Sydney on a week-long South Pacific cruise.
“In its modern incarnation, P&O Cruises is Australia’s leading cruise line with the biggest fleet of ships based year round in Australia and under the Southern Cross we proudly sail,” Mr Myrmell said.
Continuing the cruise line’s modern Australian evolution, Pacific Explorer will build on the fresh and contemporary design of newcomers, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, which joined the fleet in late 2015. The 2000-guest ship will offer an array of dining experiences including Angelo’s Italian, Dragon Lady and Waterfront restaurant which also feature on Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden.
The 77,000-tonne ship, currently sailing as Princess Cruises’ Dawn Princess, will cruise from Sydney during its inaugural season.
SOURCE: P&O Cruises