“What do you mean she’s leaving?”, she said dramatically as her tear-stricken face collapsed into her hands – prepare for the loyal Pearlists’ reactions after they discover their beloved ship is leaving the P&O fleet.
The Australian cruise line revealed this morning that Pacific Pearl will be transferred out of its brand next year upon completing her 294th cruise under the P&O Cruises banner.
That’s right, fans of the vessel will have to get all the Pearl-fixes they can between now and April 2017 before she sails away and out of Australia.
The 1,800-passenger ship is being traded as part of a commercial transfer and a fleet renewal program, which includes the recent addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden as well as Pacific Explorer’s arrival later this year.
Her departure will also make way for the cruise line’s first newbuild ship constructed and designed specifically for the Australian market.
Suddenly, Pacific Pearl’s departure doesn’t sound so bad.
P&O Cruises Australia President, Sture Myrmell, said Pacific Pearl had become a firm favourite with around half a million guests carried in Australia and New Zealand during her five-year service.
In addition to travelling around Australia, across the Tasman and the South Pacific, she was New Zealand’s first superliner and the first P&O ship to call to the remote Stewart Island at the bottom of the South Island.
Myrmell said P&O remains committed to the New Zealand market and will send Pacific Jewel to homeport in Auckland for two months from 1 September.
“Farewelling Pacific Pearl is a natural progression in which we are increasing the size of the fleet while redefining modern cruising in this part of the world.”
Sture Myrmell, P&O Cruises Australia President
“This is a very exciting time for P&O Cruises and our guests and is part of our long-term commitment to grow the cruise market.”
Pacific Pearl’s final P&O Cruises voyage will be a 16-day cruise to Singapore departing Auckland on 27 March, 2017, which will provide an opportunity for Pacific Pearl’s many fans to give her a celebratory farewell from the fleet.
With more than a year to go before Pacific Pearl exits the fleet, there are relatively few guests whose forward bookings will be subject to change and P&O will be assisting them to make alternative arrangements, including their choice of: rebooking on an equivalent or near equivalent cruise on another P&O ship; choose from a choice of alternative cruises on other ships in the fleet; or receive a full refund if no alternative cruise choice is suitable.
