News from P&O Australia

[Globaliser]

OK, time to move on to other news to keep this forum going!

 

Pacific Sky to move to Singapore for three months

 

P&O Cruises today [24 January 2005] announced plans to base its popular cruise ship Pacific Sky in Singapore for a ground-breaking three month season next year.

 

The move is part of a major expansion in the company’s cruise program, which will see Pacific Sky offer its first season of cruises from Melbourne as well as an inaugural summer cruise program from Auckland.

 

[P&O Cruises Managing Director Gavin Smith] said the 1550-passenger Pacific Sky would be based in Singapore from February to April 2006, offering nine 7-night cruises to popular and exotic Asian destinations including Koh Samui and Bangkok in Thailand and Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi in Malaysia. The ship will offer two different itineraries, which can be combined to a make a 14-night cruise featuring nine great ports. Fares for seven nights will be priced from A$1240 per person quad-share, excluding airfares.

 

Pacific Sky also to cruise from Melbourne and Auckland

 

Mr Smith said Pacific Sky would be based in Melbourne for three round-trip cruises to New Zealand and the South Pacific in November 2005 and January 2006, prior to its Asian deployment. Also on offer were four positioning cruises from Brisbane to Melbourne, Melbourne to Auckland, Auckland to Melbourne and Melbourne to Singapore. Fares are priced from A$1772 per person quad-share for a 10-night cruise.

 

In addition, Pacific Sky would operate its first season of summer cruising from Auckland, with four cruises during December and January to South Pacific destinations including Fiji and Tonga. Mr Smith said the introduction of this summer schedule would double P&O Cruises’ presence in the New Zealand market and reflected the success of Pacific Sky’s existing Auckland winter cruise program.

 

Pacific Star to be based in Brisbane, taking over from Pacific Sky

 

P&O Cruises today [24 January 2005] announced it would base its latest ship, Pacific Star, in Brisbane from December.

 

[Mr Smith] said the 1400-passenger Pacific Star would take over Pacific Sky’s existing cruise schedule on December 18, offering holidays to the South Pacific and North Queensland.

 

The 35,000 ton Pacific Star is presently sailing as Costa Tropicale with Costa Cruises of Europe. It will officially join P&O Cruises fleet in October before sailing to its new home in Brisbane.

 

Announcing the move, Mr Smith described Pacific Star as the ideal ship for the Queensland market.

 

“Pacific Star recently had a US$30 million refit and is in superb condition. It’s a smart-looking vessel and we’re confident that passengers will love its many features, including its four dining venues, three swimming pools, wide open decks and choice of queen or twin bed configurations in most cabins.”

 

Mr Smith said Pacific Star’s Brisbane deployment made good sense from an operational perspective as its diesel engines would offer greater efficiencies than Pacific Sky’s steam engines, particularly on faster South Pacific runs. Pacific Star’s manoeuvring capabilities would also enable it to berth at Cairns’ main wharf on North Queensland cruises, eliminating the need for tender boats and allowing a longer stay.

 

[Edited from press releases here and here. Pacific Sun remains based in Sydney.]

[Druke I]

Interesting.

 

They don't market P&O Australia here in the States, but that could change.

[Dave Hansen]

Druke 1, I've been reading about P&O Australia and find it interesting

but that's it. I hope there will be some marketing on this side of the

pond.

Dave Hansen