P&O Australia

News

Fuel shortages spark fares rise fears, but P&O pledges no surcharges

The boss of P&O Australia has pledged the line won’t impose fuel surcharges as the industry faces a serious dilemma: oil prices are soaring thanks to Russia’s war in Ukraine. Onboard the Pacific Explorer for […]

WORDS BY Peter Lynch . Jun 10 2022
News

LIVE: We’re on board P&O’s Pacific Explorer with Rosie Jacobs

Australia’s Cruise Industry is back up and sailing – P&O Australia’s flagship Pacific Explorer departed from Sydney tonight on its first guest cruise following the restart of cruising in Australia, and not even the windy […]

WORDS BY Cruise Passenger . May 31 2022
News

Hopes rise as national cabinet notes “progress” on cruise return

The fate of Australia’s return to cruising now rests with the Premiers of the three Eastern states after National Cabinet issued a statement “noted” progress towards a cruise return last night. The meeting was the […]

WORDS BY Peter Lynch . Mar 11 2022
News

We’ll be back better than ever – new Carnival boss vows a party to celebrate the return of ships

Marguerite Fitzgerald, the newly appointed President of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia, has spoken of her confidence the return of cruise is imminent – and even announced a celebration on Sydney harbour. Ms Fitzgerald […]

WORDS BY Peter Lynch . Mar 4 2022
News

P&O cancels 21 NZ cruises and blames government inaction

In yet another “huge blow” to the region’s cruise industry, P&O Cruises Australia has announced the cancellation of its 2022 Auckland cruise season, citing the lack of a restart plan in New Zealand. The cancellations […]

WORDS BY Tallis Boerne Marcus . Feb 24 2022
News

Government extends ban on cruise ships for another two months

The Federal Government has announced the almost two-year ban on foreign flagged cruise ships will be extended until February 17 – in another blow to the local cruise industry and thousands of family holidays. Health […]

WORDS BY Tallis Boerne Marcus . Dec 10 2021
News

Cruise restart rests with states as passengers express anger at government inactivity

Cruise ship operators are pinning their hopes of a cruise return on NSW, with a meeting with NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard this week proving productive. The talks took place on Thursday, and are believed […]

WORDS BY Peter Lynch . Nov 12 2021
News

Key meeting with NSW Health Minister set for next week over resumption of cruising

Australia’s cruise restart could take a major step forward next Wednesday when Health Minister Brad Hazzard sits down for crucial talks with cruise industry chiefs. The meeting, while one of many, is seen as vital. […]

WORDS BY Peter Lynch . Nov 5 2021
News

Ignored and disrespected – why the cruise industry is angry as wave season hopes are all but dashed

Health Minister Greg Hunt has extended the ban on overseas travel and foreign flagged cruise ships for a further three months, all but dashing hopes of a wave season this year. The announcement came as […]

WORDS BY Peter Lynch . Sep 2 2021
News

Frustrated cruise ship owners make new bid to win over government with four-phase restart plan

Ship owners lobby group Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) has outlined a four-phase pathway to resume cruising in Australia, designed to align with government plans to revive tourism and reopen borders. The cruise pathway has […]

WORDS BY Peter Lynch . Aug 27 2021
News

P&O announces mandatory vaccinations for local sailings – but many lines continue to dither

P&O Cruises Australia has revealed  that it will require all passengers to be vaccinated before cruising with the line. President of P&O Cruises Sture Myrmell, addressing a Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) forum today  said: […]

WORDS BY Tallis Boerne Marcus . Aug 20 2021