Home Travel News

FLEET TRANSFORMATION: P&O to welcome a second Grand Class ship in 2021

P&O Cruises Australia has just revealed that a second Grand Class ship will join the family as they bid farewell to one of their “jewels” as part of the cruise line’s commitment to refresh their fleet.

P&O Cruises Australia has just revealed that a second Grand Class ship will join the family as they bid farewell to one of their “jewels” as part of the cruise line’s commitment to refresh their fleet.

Carrying more than 3,100 guests, Star Princess will join her sister ship, Golden Princess, in the P&O Cruises Australia fleet from the end of 2021.

Star Princess will replace the smaller, 10-year-old Pacific Jewel, which will leave P&O Cruises in March next year.

Pacific Jewel

President of P&O Cruises and Carnival Australia, Sture Myrmell said welcoming two Grand Class ships was part of the evolution of the P&O fleet.

“Pacific Jewel has been a jewel by name and by nature. I feel sentimental farewelling a much-loved ship but excited for the future because the addition of two bigger ships is a game-changer for P&O Cruises and its guests.”

President of P&O Cruises and Carnival Australia, Sture Myrmell

Myrmell said P&O Cruises would continue to base ships year-round in its key homeports of Sydney and Brisbane as well as offering seasonal sailings from other Australian states and New Zealand.

PO Cruises President Sture Myrmell on Pacific Eden 1 e1532915434886

A transformed Golden Princess will join the P&O Cruises fleet in October 2020 while her sister ship, Star Princess, will join P&O Cruises at the end of 2021.

Pacific Jewel’s final voyage will depart from Melbourne on 24 February, 2019 before being transferred to a new operator following her sale.

P&O Cruises will assist guests affected by deployment changes to make alternative arrangements, including their choice of:

• Rebooking on equivalent or near equivalent cruises on other P&O Cruises’ ships.

• A choice of alternative cruises on other ships in the P&O Cruises’ fleet where a near equivalent match is not possible

• Providing a full refund to guests for whom no alternative cruise choice is suitable.

karryon_golden_princess_princess_cruises_3

“We also thank guests for their patience because it is likely to take some weeks to put everything in place but we hope this good news will be well received by our loyal guests,” Myrmell said.

Dedicated telephone and email channels have been set up for guests who have questions related to an affected cruise:

• Australia Phone line: 1300 550 491

• New Zealand Phone line: 0800 543 177

• Email Address: cruiseupdates@pocruises.com.au

What do you think about the new ship coming on board? Let us know below.