What is described as "strategic brand realignment" by parent company Carnival Corporation will see the end of P&O Cruises Australia brand in March next year with P&O's operations to now happen under the Carnival Cruise Line brand.
Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure will be re-branded as Carnival Cruise Line ships, with Pacific Explorer to exit the fleet.
Names for the two re-branded ships are yet to be revealed but both will operate alongside Carnival Splendor - which sails year-round from Sydney - and Carnival Luminosa, which will remain as a seasonal operation from Brisbane.
The change is the latest in a series of strategic moves designed to increase guest capacity for Carnival Cruise Line, the company's flagship brand and the highest-returning brand in Carnival Corporation's global portfolio, Carnival said in a press statement.
"Despite increasing Carnival Cruise Line's capacity by almost 25% since 2019, including transferring three ships from Costa Cruises, guest demand remains incredibly strong so we're leveraging our scale in an even more meaningful way by absorbing an entire brand into the world's most popular cruise line," said Josh Weinstein, chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation & plc.
"P&O Cruises Australia is a storied brand with an amazing team, and we are extremely proud of everything we have accomplished together in Australia and the broader region.
"However, given the strategic reality of the South Pacific's small population and significantly higher operating and regulatory costs, we're adjusting our approach to give us the efficiencies we need to continue delivering an incredible cruise experience year-round to our guests in the region.
"Carnival Corporation & plc remains committed to Australia and we will continue to be the largest cruise operator in the region."
Current itineraries will operate business as usual, and guests will be notified shortly of any changes to future bookings as a result of this announcement.
Current itineraries will operate business as usual, and guests will be notified shortly of any changes to future bookings as a result of this announcement.
# Carnival Corporation & plc is the largest global cruise company with a portfolio including AIDA Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line, P&O Cruises (Australia), P&O Cruises (UK), Princess Cruises, and Seabourn.
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