It was once known as The Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company. But today we know it as P&O Cruises. And it’s celebrating 90 years of cruising Australia.
In 1932, 1,100 passengers boarded the The Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company’s mail steamer STRATHAIRD. They sailed from Sydney to Brisbane and Norfolk Island and tickets sold out within a single day.
“P&O pioneered cruising in Australia, with the first voyage out of Sydney,” P&O Cruises Australia President Marguerite Fitzgerald said.
Fast forward to today, and the company is still making waves. And Fitzgerald said it was only fitting to mark nine decades of cruise holidays with a celebration on board the “magnificent” Pacific Adventure.
“Today’s celebration on the prized Pacific Adventure is all about saying thank you to Sydney and all of NSW for supporting P&O from its very first day pioneering the perfect Aussie holiday,” Fitzgerald said.
“We are so pleased to be here for you 90 years on – we are yours Sydney.”
According to Fitzgerald, P&O Cruises has a strong track record supporting NSW. She noted that Pacific Adventure will be based in Sydney throughout the year.
“Our commitment to calling Sydney home has been steadfast.”
“Cruising supports so many communities, small businesses, tourism and hospitality operators with more than $3.3 billion injected into NSW and over $5.2 billion across our national economy.”
Ricki-Lee Coulter named godmother to Pacific Adventure
At the Sydney event, P&O’s entertainers serenaded guests before singer and TV presenter Ricki-Lee Coulter took to the stage to perform Tina Turner’s smash hit, ‘Simply the Best’.
She was then announced as Pacific Adventure’s godmother.
“Holidaying with P&O is all about bringing people together,” said Fitzgerald.
“As someone who unites people through her music and sense of adventure, we think Ricki-Lee is the perfect ambassador.”
Ricki-Lee had a special birthday wish for P&O.
“My hope is good luck, fun and fortune for all those who love cruising on Pacific Adventure,” Ricki-Lee said.
Across 2023, Pacific Adventure will set sail on 58 voyages from Sydney. By the end of the year, she will have taken nearly 200,000 guests around Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.
