Tuesday, June 4, 2024 In a significant development in the cruise industry, P&O Cruises Australia is slated to shut down and integrate into Carnival Cruise Line by early 2025. The move entails the exit of P&O Cruises’ Pacific Explorer from the fleet in February 2025, while the Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure ships will undergo rebranding and operate under the Carnival Cruise Line banner. Carnival chief executive Josh Weinstein acknowledged P&O’s esteemed legacy and dedicated team but cited escalating costs and the limited population of the South Pacific as factors prompting the decision to discontinue the brand.
Despite this transition, Carnival Cruise Line remains committed to maintaining its status as the largest cruise operator in the region, boasting 19 ships serving 78 destinations and commanding nearly 60% of the market share. Weinstein emphasized Carnival’s ongoing commitment to meeting guest demand, highlighting the absorption of an entire brand into the world’s most popular cruise line as a strategic move to leverage scale effectively. Current itineraries will continue as scheduled, with guests notified of any forthcoming changes to future bookings.
Upon completion of the transition in 2025, Carnival Cruise Line will operate four ships in the South Pacific market, including the Sydney-based Carnival Splendor and Carnival Luminosa, along with the newly rebranded Encounter and Adventure ships sailing seasonally from Brisbane. Christine Duffy, president o.
