This follows the recent announcement of Pacific Dawn’s departure as P&O continues its fleet transformation and looks forward to the introduction of Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter.
It had been announced previously that the 1,260-guest Pacific Aria would leave the fleet next April but her departure was brought forward six months to enable the sale of the ship.
Joining P&O almost five years ago, the 55,820-tonne Pacific Aria holds a special place in the heart of Australia’s home brand cruise line because of her role in showcasing the contemporary décor and dining experiences that are now the hallmarks of the line.
P&O Cruises Australia President Sture Myrmell said Pacific Aria had made more than 220 voyages since joining the fleet and made a spectacular arrival with the fleet’s five-ship sail-in to Sydney Harbour in November 2015.
“Like Pacific Dawn whose sale we also recently announced, Pacific Aria was a great favourite with our guests,” Mr Myrmell said.
“Aria might have been with us for just five years but she is no less prominent in our affection and respect for her contribution to P&O and cruising.
“Our guests fell in love with Pacific Aria’s modern interior design as she set the benchmark for the evolution of the brand creating a path for the introduction of Pacific Explorer two years later.
“There is much to look forward to as we keep transforming our fleet in readiness for welcoming Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter.
“In the meantime, we must bid a fond farewell to Pacific Aria and thank her for her role in creating wonderful memories at sea for Aussies and Kiwis alike.
“When we paused operations in March, we could not have known that it would also mark Pacific Aria’s final voyage with guests on board. It is disappointing that we cannot honour Aria with a farewell cruise.”
P&O said Pacific Aria’s new owner would confirm its purchase in a separate announcement. It had previously been reported that Pacific Aria was to be bought by CMV, however, that did not eventuate, paving the way for P&O to reach a new commercial arrangement with another entity.
Guests who were booked on Pacific Aria from 18 December can choose alternative arrangements including a full refund or bonus onboard credit if they choose the future cruise credit option. Guests on select cruises can opt to move their booking to the same time next year and receive bonus onboard credit.
P&O will pay refunds back to travel agents for guests who booked through that sales channel. The cruise line will also protect travel agent commissions on all bookings for cancelled cruises that were paid in full as at 14 October, 2020 and for the total amount of the future cruise credits.
The cruise line will make contact with guests whose cruises have been affected, either directly or via their appointed travel agent, to let them know of this development and the options available to them.
Mr Myrmell apologised to guests for this inconvenience, acknowledging how challenging it had been given the continued extension of the operational pause since March.
“Every one of our guests is important to us and we thank them for their patience over many months in what has become an extraordinary year,” he said.
Pacific Aria statistics
455,351 nautical miles sailed, which is the equivalent to the moon and back, or 21 times around the Equator.
Brisbane - 183
Port Vila - 68
Noumea - 62
Cairns - 45
Auckland - 18
Sydney - 15
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