In March 2025, the company will sunset the P&O Cruises Australia brand and fold the Australia operations into Carnival Cruise Line, which has served the South Pacific since 2013 and is today the world's most popular cruise line. When the transition is complete next year, the Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure ships will begin sailing under the Carnival Cruise Line brand while the Pacific Explorer will exit the fleet at that time. Current itineraries will operate business as usual, and guests will be notified in the coming days of any changes to future bookings as a result of this announcement.
Building on Shared Legacy in the Region
According to Josh Weinstein, chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation & plc, the company remains committed to Australia and the South Pacific. With Carnival Cruise Line's four ships in the market, including three year-round ships - Sydney-based Carnival Splendor and Carnival Adventure, and Brisbane based Carnival Encounter - as well as Carnival Luminosa sailing seasonally from Brisbane, Carnival Corporation & plc will have seven cruise lines sailing 19 ships calling on 78 destinations and representing almost 60% of the market in 2025, by far the largest cruise operator in the region.
"P&O Cruises Australia is a storied brand with an amazing team, and we are extremely proud of everything we have accomplished together in Australia and the broader region," said Weinstein. "However, given the strategic reality of the South Pacific's small population and significantly higher operating and regulatory costs, we're adjusting our approach to give us the efficiencies we need to continue delivering an incredible cruise experience year-round to our guests in the region."
President of Carnival Cruise Line Christine Duffy said, "We look forward to building on the history and heritage of P&O Cruises Australia by bringing some of our innovations to more cruise guests in the region. While we plan to make some technology upgrades and other small changes to the ships, they will continue to be geared to the unique Australian market with a familiar feel and much of the same experiences for P&O Cruises Australia guests. The most notable change will be the availability of our popular HubApp, enabling guests to make online dining and excursion reservations, request food and beverage delivery, and chat with other guests, among other features. P&O Cruises Australia guests will also be invited to participate in Carnival's loyalty program and promotional offerings specific to Carnival ships sailing in the region."
Carnival Corporation & plc also announced that long-standing company executive Peter Little will continue to lead the team in Australia, as Country Manager reporting to Duffy. "We're pleased to confirm that Peter will take on a new role leading the local operations and building on the company's legacy of strong relationships with destinations and communities across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific," said Weinstein.
"In making this important announcement we recognise that P&O Cruises Australia is much loved across the region, having been dedicated to local operations for over 90 years, delighting guests and being welcomed by destinations across the region. We value the pride our P&O Cruises guests, employees, travel partners, public officials and destinations have in our company, and we will find ways to celebrate and honour P&O Cruises Australia in the coming months," said Weinstein.
P&O Cruises Australia will continue operations until March of 2025 and the company looks forward to welcoming the P&O faithful on board to help celebrate the brand's rich legacy of cruising.
