P&O bids farewell to Pacific Jewel

P&O Cruises Australia has announced Pacific Jewel will be leaving its fleet in 2019 and the 3,100-passenger Star Princess will be joining in 2020.

Star Princess will represent an 85% boost in passenger capacity over Jewel whose final voyage for P&O is scheduled to depart from Melbourne on 24 Feb 2019, before being transferred to another operator.

“Pacific Jewel has been a jewel by name and jewel by nature,” said P&O Cruises Australia president Sture Myrmell.

“I feel sentimental farewelling a much-loved ship but excited for the future because the addition of two bigger ships is a gamechanger for P&O Cruises and its guests,” he added.

The announcement is in line with the company’s strategy to refresh its fleet over time, having already announced the departure of Pacific Eden to make way for Golden Princess back in Mar ( CW 08 Mar).

“We are ensuring P&O has the right ships for a contemporary brand operating in a competitive market,” Myrmell said.

P&O will continue to base ships year-round in the key homeports of Sydney and Brisbane, as well as offer seasonal sailings from other Australian states.

All customers affected by P&O Cruises’ decision to sell Jewel will be contacted over the next couple of weeks to arrange rebooking on equivalent cruises or a refund when no alternative choice is available.

Pictured: Pacific Jewel.