P&O Cruises has pulled preliminary port bookings for Pacific Aria in Cairns for 2019, with the line saying the sale of Pacific Eden to Cruise & Maritime Voyages (TD 08 Mar) meant Aria would be “needed elsewhere”.
The P&O website indicates Aria will primarily operate cruises out of Brisbane in 2019, plus 11 dep from Sydney beginning late Sep.
Pacific Aria’s 2019 Brisbane schedule lists 10 Pacific Island Hopper itineraries, 10 Barrier Reef Discovery, five Whitsundays & five Hamilton Island itineraries.
“There might be some initial disappointment about Pacific Aria’s homeporting in 2019 but the overall picture for Cairns is very positive knowing that our commitment to the region is as strong as ever,” said Sture Myrmell, president of Carnival Australia & P&O Cruises Australia.
Carnival Australia has completed talks with Ports North, confirming its commitment to Cairns and its potential as a cruise hub.
The company noted the progression of the Cairns Shipping Development Project, which was granted environmental approval in Feb and would improve access for large cruise vessels.
Based on the development, P&O Cruises has lodged bookings for Pacific Dawn and Pacific Jewel to make seven two-day calls to the cruise terminal in 2019.
Source: traveldaily