Get 70 per cent off cruises as lines battle to win back passengers

CLOSED: Win a Fiji cruise valued at $4,820!

Cruise lines are slashing fares by up to 70 per cent in a concerted effort to attract passengers back to holiday on the high seas post COVID-19 pandemic. Blue Lagoon Cruises is offering 70 per cent off on its three, four and seven day cruises in Fiji Islands for the first 70 passengers who book … Read more

P&O and Carnival halt cruising for 30 days – P&O offers 200% refund to passengers

Pacific Explorer

P&O Cruises Australia has today followed a long list of lines in pausing its cruise itineraries for 30 days “following advice from the country’s public officials that mass gatherings should be limited to no more than 500 people”. Says the line in a statement: “The 30-day pause takes effect from today until P&O’s planned resumption … Read more

‘No accident’ – security cameras show how woman fell from Pacific Dawn

P&O Australia_Pacific_Dawn

The mother who was lost from The Pacific Dawn “intentionally” went overboard, according to police who have viewed security camera footage of the tragic incident. The cruise ship docked at Brisbane this morning, where police boarded the vessel to carry out investigations on behalf of the coroner. Speaking to media at Brisbane’s Portside Wharf, Inspector Rob Graham issued … Read more

Cruise ships rerouted away from Cyclone Debbie

Cruise ships rerouted away from Cyclone Debbie

Cruise ships have been rerouted from Hamilton Island as Tropical Cyclone Debbie will make landfall early this week in Queensland. The cyclone is currently listed as a Category 1 storm and the Azamara Journey, which is scheduled to make calls on Hamilton Island on Tuesday March 28 and Townsville on March 29, has been rerouted. … Read more

Details around the newly refurbished Pacific Dawn

Pacific Dawn swimmer

The Pacific Dawn has arrived in Brisbane, fresh from her multimillion dollar refurbishment.

After spending two weeks in Singapore, she has some spectacular new features for Queenslanders.

The ship now has two new slides, both around 80 metres long. One slide is transparent so spectators can watch guests shoot through its twists and turns. While the other multi-coloured slide has music pumping from start to finish.

Also part of the refurbishment is the addition of P&O’s first virtual reality activity at sea from Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia.

One thing guests won’t miss is the new livery of the Pacific Dawn. Emblazoned across the hull of the ship is the iconic Australian emblem, the Southern Cross. Also in addition, are 3,000 new pieces of new and reupholstered furniture and 1,500 pieces of art and accessories.

In the teenage clubs, HQ and HQ+, the entertainment has gone to a whole new level with the cruise line’s new virtual reality experience, featuring a range of popular Sony PS4 titles including Tearaway Unfolded, Gravity Rush 2 and Ratchet & Clank as part of the exclusive partnership with Sony.

For the foodies, guests can try The Pantry which has already been so popular on P&O’s other ships. The Pantry is an international market place which has nine food outlets offering different types of cuisines. This includes the Mediterranean-inspired Nic and Toni’s and seafood restaurant Shell & Bones.

Meanwhile some of the ship’s key public spaces – including the atrium, Charlie’s cafe, The Orient and the Promenade Bar – have been redesigned to mirror the contemporary look which has become a trademark of the P&O fleet in recent years.

P&O President Sture Myrmell said the refurbished Pacific Dawn was the next step in the evolution of P&O’s modern Australian holiday offering, designed to deliver good times in a stylish yet relaxed setting.

Pacific Dawn not only features the new look and feel which has been so popular on our latest ships, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, she also provides a taste of what’s to come on our next ship Pacific Explorer, which debuts in June. We think she’ll be a real winner and we can’t wait to welcome guests onboard,” Mr Myrmell said.

The refit comes at the start of P&O’s biggest year of Queensland cruising, with two ships sailing from Brisbane year round. Between them, Pacific Dawn and Pacific Aria will offer a record 108 cruises to holidaymakers this year, up from 98 cruises in 2016.

Fares on the refurbished Pacific Dawn include a seven-night Pacific Island Hopper departing Brisbane on April 1, 2017 starting from $749* per person quad share.

Cruise Passenger will on the Pacific Dawn alter this month. Look out for our review.

P&O partners with Archie Rose Distillery to create new bar on Pacific Explorer

P&O partners with Archie Rose Distillery to create new bar on Pacific Explorer

Gin and whisky lovers will be in for a treat when P&O’s new Pacific Explorer launches this June – award winning Archie Rose Distilling Co has partnered with the cruise line to create a new cocktail bar called The Bonded Store.

At the bar, guests will be offered a list of cocktails which feature every drink including Archie Rose’s handcrafted spirits. The distillery, which is located in the trendy south Sydney suburb of Rosebery.

There will also be special gin making and whisky master classes onboard Pacific Explorer itineraries.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the partnership with the Sydney-based Archie Rose was part of the ongoing evolution of P&O’s product, designed to capture the relaxed but stylish spirit of modern Australia.

“The small and hidden bar scene is incredibly popular on land so we’re taking the concept to sea with The Bonded Store which will feature a stylish and somewhat quirky décor in an intimate setting, as well as fantastic Archie Rose cocktails,” Mr Myrmell said.

“It’s another highlight for Pacific Explorer which really represents the next step in the evolution of P&O’s fleet.

“From lawn bowls on the deck to a delicious Negroni in The Bonded Store, Pacific Explorer will have some wonderful new experiences to offer which we think will be a huge hit with our guests.”

Mr Myrmell said the pairing with Archie Rose was P&O’s first cocktail bar partnership.

“As Australia’s only home grown cruise line, we’re very proud to be stocking another premium Australian product on our ships.

“We put a lot of thought into The Bonded Store concept and we felt that Archie Rose had just the right flavour for the new bar, with spirits which are sophisticated, on-trend and delicious. The result is a classy venue, which will take people back to another cocktail era but still have some fun design elements – as well as a cocktail list which captures some fabulous flavours,” Mr Myrmell said.

Archie Rose Distilling Co. founder Will Edwards described the partnership with P&O as “a real privilege”.

“We can’t wait to deliver a new craft spirits experience for P&O’s guests and to showcase the innovation and quality of local Australian spirits,” Mr Edwards said.

 

Weekly roundup: Oprah on Alaskan HAL cruise, Shannan Ponton hosts segment on Carnival and more

Weekly roundup: Oprah on Alaskan HAL cruise, Shannan Ponton hosts segment on Carnival and more

Carnival heads to Cuba Carnival Cruise Line in the US announced it will be sailing to Havana in Cuba. The Carnival Paradise will be sailing on a number of voyages from Tampa in Florida starting in June. There will be an overnight visit to Havana which is featured on 12 four and five-day cruises onboard … Read more