Over the last 92 years, P&O Cruises has been a household name in Australian cruising. And so, it’s with a heavy heart, that we give you a round-up of the last cruises you can take before we bid farewell to those Southern Cross, bow-bearing ships.
Sailing on a P&O ship, like for many, was my first foray into ocean cruising. I didn’t know what to expect as I boarded the Pacific Dawn when she was homeported in Brisbane.
We were bound for Airlie Beach and Tropical North Queensland for days of sunny fun and tropical shore excursions.
But Mother Nature had other plans for us – Cyclone Debbie had ripped through much of Queensland in 2017, resulting, in a cruise to nowhere.
Despite the change in plans, it gave me an opportunity to explore the ship after a refurbishment. And really experience what cruising was like.
It was the first ship from the fleet where we started to see a reflection of what modern Australia looked – cool bars, a great food scene and sophisticated design and architecture.
We ate, we drank, we played bingo, took part in ice and fruit carving, and did every activity our Cruise Director threw at us.
And after disembarking back in Brissy, I thought, I could definitely do this again.
My next P&O adventure was on the Explorer, a slightly bigger model from the Dawn. But it’s the ship where the line put a real oomph into showcasing Australian producers onboard.
Luke Mangan, who has long been a partner with P&O had a new restaurant onboard as well as a pizza joint from Melbourne-based Johnny di Francesco. Even Archie Rose had a special nook that served gin-based cocktails, using their famous tipple.
My favourite though, was P&O’s collaboration with Blanc de Blanc’s Australian director, Scott Maidment. He was the brainchild behind the raunchy and raucous evening show, Love Riot with blow-up dolls, acrobatics and a few gimp suits to boot.
It was all of these small touches that made me fall in love with P&O. It might not have been the glitziest of cruises or the most luxurious. But it had a true Australian heart.
Straying on shore in the South Pacific and returning back to ship always made it feel like coming home.
On this page
What are the best short cruises of P&O Australia?
P&O Australia has lined up an array of short cruises for 2024 until the first quarter of 2025. Here are some of the line’s best short cruises:
4-night Tangalooma – Moreton Island
P&O is offering this itinerary on different dates all year round. But the best-value offering for this roundtrip sailing from Sydney is the line’s pre-Christmas offering scheduled on December 10, 2024. This voyage is offered at a best-fare rate of AU$449 per person via Pacific Adventure.
Itineraries
- Day 1 – Sydney
- Day2- Sea Day
- Day 3- Tangalooma – Moreton Island
- Day 4- Sea Day
- Day 5- Sydney
4-night Kangaroo Island
This Melbourne-embarked sailing is offered on several dates from November 2024 to January 2025. But the best offering for this itinerary is the line’s spring special scheduled on November 11 which is offered at a best-value fare rate of AU$559. This trip to the charming isle off the mainland of South Australia also includes two sea days aboard Pacific Explorer.
Itineraries
- Day 1- Melbourne
- Day 2- Sea Day
- Day 3- Kangaroo Island
- Day 4- Sea Day
- Day 5- Melbourne
4-night 90s Cruise
Celebrating the band era in the 90s including the macarena fever, P&O Australia has scheduled a 4-night 90s voyage from Adelaide before its official brand closure. Additionally, the best-value fare rate for this sailing is offered at AU$449 per guest and is scheduled for March 1, 2025, via Pacific Explorer.
Itineraries
- Day 1- Adelaide
- Day 2-Sea Day
- Day 3- Sea Day
- Day 4- Sea Day
- Day 5- Adelaide
3-night Comedy Cruise
One of the most popular short cruise offerings of P&O Australia is its Comedy Cruise. For Aussie cruisers seeking a very quick getaway from their busy life, this 3-day Comedy Cruise from Sydney is the perfect choice. The line’s best-value fare rate for this sailing is scheduled for January 31, 2025, at AU$349 per person.
Itineraries
- Day 1- Sydney
- Day 2- Sea Day
- Day 3- Sea Day
- Day 4- Sydney
What are the line’s best last-minute cruises?
4-night Whitsundays Cruise
For cruise enthusiasts wanting to have a quick getaway to snorkel, paddle, dive, or simply marvel at the stunning white sand beach, this Brisbane-embarked cruise is the ideal one. The line has a last-minute best-value fare rate of AU$557.69 per person scheduled on August 27, 2024, via Pacific Encounter.
Itineraries
- Day 1- Brisbane
- Day 2- Sea Day
- Day 3- Airlie Beach
- Day 4- Sea Day
- Day 5- Brisbane
10-night Discover Vanuatu
For Aussie cruisers and perennial travellers with flexible schedules, P&O Australia highlights a last-minute cruise offering via a 10-night Pacific Island cruise. This Vanuatu-bound voyage is offered at AU$1449 per person scheduled to depart Sydney on July 30. Moreover, this winter offering is set to visit four ports aboard Pacific Adventure.
Itineraries
- Day 1- Sydney
- Day 2- Sea Day
- Day 3- Sea Day
- Day 4- Noumea
- Day 5- Lifou
- Day 6- Port Vila
- Day 7- Mystery Island
- Day 8- Sea Day
- Day 9- Sea Day
- Day 10- Sydney
12-night Fiji Adventure
A Fiji Adventure is one of the popular itineraries offered by P&O for years. For the last time under this brand, the line features a last-minute offering for AU$2949 per person for balcony stateroom. This 12-night Fiji Adventure is scheduled to leave Sydney on August 13 and is set to have four port visits aboard Pacific Adventure.
Itineraries
- Day 1- Sydney
- Day 2- Sea Day
- Day 3- Sea Day
- Day 4- Noumea
- Day 5- Mystery Island
- Day 6- Sea Day
- Day 7- Lautoka
- Day 8- Dravuni Island
- Day 9- Sea Day
- Day 10- Sea Day
- Day 11- Sea Day
- Day 12- Sea Day
- Day 13- Sydney
What are the line’s best holiday cruises?
8-night Christmas Cruise
The line offers three dates for its Christmas Cruise this 2024 and the best-value sailing is the one scheduled on December 19. This 8-night Christmas Cruise is offered at AU$1499 per person and is set to depart Melbourne (port of embarkation)via Pacific Explorer. Moreover, since Christmas in the southern hemisphere means long sunny days, guests will surely enjoy visits to three port of calls during the voyage.
Itineraries
- Day 1- Melbourne
- Day 2 – Sea Day
- Day 3 – Kangaroo Island
- Day 4 – Sea Day
- Day 5 – Port Arthur
- Day 6 – Hobart
- Day 7 – Sea Day
- Day 8 – Sea Day
- Day 9 – Melbourne
8-night New Year’s Eve Cruise
The line’s New Year’s Eve Cruise is offered on the same date in three different Australian ports: Sydney, Melbourne, and Brisbane. However, the best-value offering for this itinerary is the Brisbane-embarked cruise with a starting fare rate of AU$1519 per person. Moreover, this New Year special also highlights a visit to three ports aboard Pacific Encounter.
Itineraries
- Day 1- Brisbane
- Day 2 – Sea Day
- Day 3 – Sea Day
- Day 4 – Port Vila
- Day 5 – Mystery Island
- Day 6 – Noumea
- Day 7 – Sea Day
- Day 8 – Sea Day
- Day 9 – Brisbane
What are the line’s best cruises for 2025
7-night Conflict Islands Discovery
P&O Australia’s post-New Year offering via 7-night Conflict Islands Discovery is a treat for Aussie cruisers and travellers seeking an amazing getaway on a pristine tropical paradise. This voyage is offered at a best-value fare rate of AU$899 per person and is scheduled for January 18. Additionally, this Brisbane-based roundtrip cruise is set to visit two ports of call and will have for sea days aboard Pacific Encounter.
Itineraries
- Day 1 – Brisbane
- Day 2 – Sea Day
- Day 3 – Townsville
- Day 4 – Sea Day
- Day 5 – Conflict Islands
- Day 6 – Sea Day
- Day 7 – Sea Day
- Day 8 – Brisbane
7-night Southern Getaway
For travellers and cruise enthusiasts seeking to experience Australia’s best-kept secrets, a 4-night Southern Getaway is one ideal seacation. This itinerary is offered on several dates, but the best value is the line’s pre-Valentine sailing scheduled on February 7, 2025, priced at AU$879 per person.
Itinerary
- Day 1 – Sydney
- Day 2 – Sea Day
- Day 3 – Sea Day
- Day 4 – Adelaide
- Day 5 – Kangaroo Island
- Day 6 – Sea Day
- Day 7 – Sea Day
- Day 8 – Sydney
10-night New Guinea Island Encounter
One of the line’s highlights for 2025 is its 10-night New Guinea Island Encounter scheduled on February 19, 2025. This post-Valentine sailing is offered at a starting rate of AU$1014 per person with Brisbane as its port of Embarkation. Additionally, this 10-might voyage includes visits to four port of calls aboard Pacific Encounter.
Itineraries
- Day 1 – Brisbane
- Day 2 – Sea Day
- Day 3 – Sea Day
- Day 4 – Alotau
- Day 5 – Conflict Islands
- Day 6 – Kiriwina Island
- Day 7 – Rabaul
- Day 8 – Sea Day
- Day 9 – Sea Day
- Day 10 – Sea Day
- Day 11 – Brisbane
