One of Australia’s most loved ships, P&O’s Pacific Pearl will be leaving the fleet in April 2017, it was announced today.

But who will sail her when she leaves Australia is a mystery. P&O refused to say who the new owners are under a commercial arrangement.

Messages started appearing early on Social Media. Cruise Passenger’s Facebook page – www.facebook.com/cruisepassenger – has opened a Pearl pearlers page for fans to tell their favourite stories.

By the time of her farewell, she will have completed 294 cruises under the P&O banner and has carried more than half a million passengers over a period of more than five years’ service.

“In becoming a much loved passenger favourite, Pacific Pearl made a huge contribution to building the cruise category in the region particularly in New Zealand, introducing thousands of holidaymakers to the joys of cruising,” said P&O Cruises Australia President Sture Myrmell.

“In addition to a contribution to the growth of cruise in Australia, Pacific Pearl played a big part in growing the New Zealand season by more than 20 per cent over the past four years.”

Mr Myrmell said Pacific Pearl’s departure was part of the ongoing evolution of the P&O Cruises’ brand.

“Farewelling Pacific Pearl is a natural progression in which we are increasing the size of the fleet while redefining modern cruising in this part of the world. This is a very exciting time for P&O Cruises and our guests and is part of our long-term commitment to grow the cruise market.”

P&O have assured that most guests travelling on Pacific Pearl will not be affected.

But if they are, P&O will:

  • Rebook on an equivalent or near equivalent cruise on another P&O Cruises Australia ship
  • Offer a choice of alternative cruise on the other ships in the P&O Cruises Australia fleet where a near equivalent match is not possible
  • Provide a full refund to guests for whom no alternative cruise choice suitable (any guest whose cruise is cancelled can choose to obtain a full refund)Visit pocruises.com.au/Farewell-Pacific-Pearl for more details including FAQs and a dedicated hotline for customer enquiries.

    Check out the photo gallery of Pacific Pearl, image courtesy: P&O Cruises Australia