Pacific Pearl has found a new home after British-based cruise operator Cruise & Maritime Voyages purchased her from P&O Australia.

She will be renamed Columbus and she will start operating in Europe from June 2017.

CMV chief executive and chairmain Christian Verhounig said, “The successful introduction of Magellan in 2015 has encouraged our group to accelerate their mid-term growth plans and the addition of Columbus to the fleet in 2017 is another important milestone in achieving our longer term growth objectives. The strategic development of the Group’s presence in the UK and wider international markets will increase our overall capacity to 125,000 passengers in 2017.”

She will be dry docked in Singapore with some refurbishments and livery work completed before she starts her inaugural season in the United Kingdom.

She will be targeted at the adult-only market and some of the planned upgrade works include transforming the HQ Teen Centre into a maritime-themed Columbus Lounge and Library and the Shark Shack and Turtle Cove Children’s Centre will become a Bridge and Card Room area.