Next week, Australian cruise really comes of age.

There will be spectacular arrivals – P&O’s 5 Ship Spectacular event will be on November 25 and on Saturday, Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas will be making her debut in Sydney.

There will be TV and media coverage and in almost every travel agent, phones will be ringing with eager new cruisers wanting to book.

That’s the dream.  And why shouldn’t it be the reality?

Wednesday will be the biggest day in P&O Austalia’s history, with the line christening Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, it’s newest ships.

P&O’s party kicks off at 5.30am as all five P&O ships come into the harbour together for the first time. Cruise Passenger will be at Fort Denison for the dual christening ceremony for Aria and Eden, along with celebrity godmothers Jessica Mauboy and Kate Ritchie. Tune in to our website and social media channels throughout the morning for updates.

At lunch time we will be stepping aboard the brand new Pacific Aria for a tour and plus a preview of the new entertainment options. You will be able to read a short review in next Friday’s newsletter as well as the full review in the next issue of Cruise Passenger magazine, on sale December 11.

The real party kicks off in the evening as five Australian artists perform exclusive concerts on each of the ships. Jessica Mauboy will be on Pacific Aria, The Veronicas on Pacific Eden, Stan Walker on Pacific Dawn, Justice Crew on Pacific Jewel and Samantha Jade on Pacific Pearl. A huge firework display will cap off the night as the ships sail out of Sydney Harbour in formation.

There will be plenty of great vantage points around the harbour to see the ships sailing in or at anchor during the day. Be sure to tag Cruise Passenger in your pics as well as using the hashtags #5ships and #pocruises.

Then Royal Caribbean takes to the stage.

On Saturday, the Explorer of the Seas will be arriving in Sydney Harbour, making her the biggest ship to call the Overseas Passenger Terminal, her new home.

Explorer of the Seas will begin her season with sailings around Australia and New Zealand and she can hold up to 5,200 passengers and crew.

She was recently refitted in April and will have the largest restaurant in Australia which covers three deck floors and can seat up to 2,000 people in a single seating.

Some of the features include the famous FlowRider Surf Simulator, rock-climbing wall, sports court, ice skating ring and much more.

It’s going to be a mighty big week.