P&O Cruise ships visit 17 new ports in 2016
NewsP&O Cruises is aiming to lure Aussie cruisers by enhancing its port roster, making nearly 17 calls at new ports this year.
Their expanded cruise fleet has also made the addition of new ports easier. Like the Pacific Aria, that became the first cruise ship to make a maiden call to the remote town of Weak in Papau New Guinea on February 22, 2016. Guests were part of history when Pacific Aria visited this colourful capital of the East Sepik Province, located on the famous Sepik River. The Aria will also be the first to visit World Heritage listed Fraser Island in April, 2016.
Another P&O ship, Pacific Pearl will be their first ship to call at the Stewart Island, in New Zealand’s South Island on March 6, 2016. The Pacific Dawn will also become the first cruise ship to call at the port of Gladstone on March 10, 2016, attracting cruisers who want to explore Southern Barrier Reef.
P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the continued expansion of P&O’s fleet had opened up new horizons for the cruise line.
“We have been pioneering cruising in the Pacific for more than 80 years and we are still discovering fantastic cruise destinations for our guests,” Mr Myrmell said.
“The addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden to our fleet late last year and our continued expansion with Pacific Explorer in 2017 and our newbuild in 2019, has made it possible to extend our itinerary offering like never before and build a wide range of new destinations into our schedules.
“In some cases these are not just maiden visits for P&O, they are the first visits by any cruise line, so it’s a very exciting time for us and a great honour to be welcomed so enthusiastically by local communities.”
P&O has added nearly a dozen new Australian ports, in its endeavour to contribute to the welfare of regional communities around Australia.
P&O Australia’s Maiden Calls in 2016
1. Monday February 22 – Pacific Aria – Wewak, PNG*
2. Sunday March 6 – Pacific Pearl – Stewart Island, New Zealand
3. Thursday March 10 – Pacific Dawn – Gladstone, Queensland*
4. Sunday April 3 – Pacific Aria – Fraser Island, Queensland
5. Saturday May 7 – Pacific Eden – Ujung Pandang, Indonesia
6. Monday May 9 – Pacific Eden – Probolinggo, Indonesia
7. Tuesday June 21 – Pacific Jewel – Conflict Islands, PNG*
8. Thursday July 28 – Pacific Eden – Jakarta, Indonesia
9. Monday August 1 – Pacific Eden – Langkawi, Malaysia
10.Tuesday August 2 – Pacific Eden – Krabi, Thailand
11.Wednesday August 3 – Pacific Eden – Phuket, Thailand
12.Thursday August 4 – Pacific Eden – Sabang, Indonesia
13.Monday August 8 – Pacific Eden – Sihanoukville, Cambodia
14.Tuesday August 9 – Pacific Eden – Ko Chang, Thailand*
15.Thursday August 11 – Pacific Eden – Koh Samui, Thailand
16.Friday September 30 – Pacific Eden – Gizo Island, Solomon Islands*
17.Saturday October 1 – Pacific Eden – Honiara, Solomon Islands
*first ever ocean cruise ship call to destination
Are you going to any of these ports? Tell us.
