Shock News: P&O Australia brand to be shut down. Replaced by Carnival Cruise Line.

Very sad news this morning with the announcement that P&O Australia will be shut down in 2025, with two of its three ships absorbed into Carnival Cruise Line to improve ‘operational efficiencies’. This effectively ends the lines centuries long connection with Australia and means that Australia will no longer have a home grown cruise line. Comments from Carnival: In a media statement, Carnival Corp said that 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. “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,” said Weinstein. “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 with 19 ships calling on 78 destinations and representing almost 60% of the market.” What next: With P&O Australia shutting in 2025, the Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure ships will be rebranded and operated by Carnival Cruise Line brand. Pacific Explorer will exit the fleet in February of 2025. Hard to believe: There is obviously so much to say about this. I’ll be taking a little while to absorb the news and will be posting some video analysis and commentary soon. #P&O #pocruises #pacificencounter #pacificexplorer #pacificadventure #carnivacruiseline #cruisenews