P&O Cruises, a legacy Australian cruise brand with a history dating back to the 1930s, is set to be shelved by its parent company, Carnival Corporation. The decision comes as a result of high regulatory costs that have made the business unsustainable. The Pacific Explorer, a vessel owned by Carnival under the P&O Australia brand, will cease operations from the end of next summer. The Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter vessels will be absorbed into their sister line, Carnival Cruises.
In a statement on their website, P&O announced that operations would come to an end in early March 2025. The Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure ships will begin sailing under the Carnival Cruise Line brand, while the Pacific Explorer will exit the fleet. Despite this change, P&O expressed pride in their 90-year heritage of dedicated operations in the region and stated that Carnival Cruise Line would carry forward its legacy and deliver the same onboard experiences and itineraries.
CEO of Carnival, Josh Weinstein, emphasized the company’s commitment to Australia and the South Pacific, stating that they would maintain four year-round Carnival Cruise-branded ships in the region. This move would give Carnival a near 60 percent market share of the region. Weinstein acknowledged the weak economic conditions in the South Pacific, citing the small population and higher operating and regulatory costs as factors that influenced the decision to shelve P&O. He stated that adjustments were necessary to ensure the company’s ability to continue delivering an incredible cruise experience year-round.
President of Carnival Cruise Line, Christine Duffy, assured customers that despite the transition to the Carnival brand, they could expect a familiar feel and many of the same experiences. She also mentioned upcoming technology upgrades to enhance the onboard experience.
While staff on the affected ships will be redeployed, some employees from the P&O head office in Sydney will unfortunately face redundancy. Peter Little, acting P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Australia chief, will assume the position of country manager and continue to oversee local operations.
P&O Cruises, originally known as the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company, was founded in Britain in 1837. After becoming one of the world’s leading cruise lines, P&O expanded its operations to Australia in 1932. The company’s decision to shelve the P&O brand is a necessary change in response to the challenging economic conditions and high regulatory costs in the South Pacific.
Travelers who had booked trips after March 2 will have their deposits refunded or can choose to receive a cruise credit for future trips. This gesture demonstrates the company’s commitment to its customers despite the necessary changes.
