P&O’s cruising 77 years out of Australia

With Reuben Goossens

Cruise’n’Travel Journalist / Cruise Reviewer

& Maritime Historian

Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial and privately owned cruise site and it is NOT associated with any cruise company or travel agency! Although the author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the future. Please read my statement at the bottom of the page!

P&O’s 78 Years of Australian Cruising History!

P&O Cruises Australia has currently three ships: MV Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel, Pacific Sun

Joining these ships late 2010 will be the Pacific Pearl

Photo provided by & © Carnival Australia (P&O)

1 – Beginnings of P&O & Orient Lines

Ever since 1932, Australians and New Zealanders have had an ongoing love affair with cruising on a British P&O liner, be it the Strathaird, Oronsay, Arcadia, Oriana, and other P&O ships until this day. However, currently P&O Cruises Australia operates three fine ships.

The modern P&O Cruises certainly has a long and a well established history as it’s origins goes back to the establishment of the famed Orient Line in 1777, followed in 1852 when the Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) came into being. Both companies collectively operated their ships on the Australian and New Zealand service, but then in 1960 it was decided for the two companies to fully merge and to create the world’s largest ocean-going passenger fleet under the banner of P&O Lines. Thus there is no doubt that today’s P&O Cruises Australia has come out of a great and a long established British Maritime heritage, but today it is very much an all Australian Cruise Company and by the end of 2010 P&O Australia will have four ships in its Australian fleet.

2 - P&O & Orient Lines First two Australian Cruises

The three funnelled RMS Strathaird departs Sydney on her very first Australian cruise

Photograph from the P&O archives

Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation Company (P&O) became the first major world shipping company to operate pleasure cruises out of Australia and on Friday December 23, 1932, with a good load of 1,100 passengers on board, the elegant three funnelled RMS Strathaird became the very first large liner to operate a pleasure cruise as she gently slipped past Sydney Heads heading for Norfolk Island on a five day Christmas cruise. In March 2010 the Pacific Sun returned to Norfolk Island for the first time since 1932 and the authorities there decided to create a series of stamps of all the P&O ships in honour of the Strathaird and Pacific Sun’s visit.

Commemoration stamp released by the Norfolk Island remembering the RMS Strathaird visit in 1932

The commemorative stamp above shows her only with a single funnel see the note below

Photo © P&O/Carnival plc

Authors note: After her World War II trooper’s duties RMS Strathaird was fully refitted and she had her forward and aft dummy funnels removed and she became a single funnelled liner in 1947. Therefore, when she originally visited Norfolk Island in 1932 she still had all three funnels, although sadly the commemorative stamp shows her with a single funnel, as the artist must have seen a photograph of the ship in her later days.

The ever popular Verandah Café on the Strathmore

Photo author’s private collection

Cruise number Two: RMS Oronsay.

The very next day Orient Lines RMS Oronsay departed Sydney being their very first cruise out of Australia. Thus both these ships, P&O and Orient Line, set a new trend in shipping that would be copied by other shipping companies and commenced what is today the fastest growing in the tourist industry worldwide, especially here in Australia and New Zealand as bookings are sky rocketing!

RMS Oronsay was the first Orient liner to cruise out of Australia

Photo author’s private collection

In the seventies P&O, as well as Italian, Greek, Russian and ships from other nations made cruising more affordable. But then came ex Sitmar liner) TSS Fairstar that became the ship that had Australia abuzz with the idea of cruising and she became one of the most popular ships Downunder and became lovingly know as the “Funship.” However as she was aging, she had to be sold and another ship was obtained.

TSS Fairstar was the very first cruise ship based year round in Australia

Photograph © Reuben Goossens

Fairstar was followed by one of the last classic built liners to sail from our shores the ever popular and elegant TSS Fair Princess. However, from these roots, P&O Cruises Australia as of December 2009 operate three modern cruise ships Downunder with facilities that would have been unheard of back in 1932, or the seventies and the eighties for that matter.

The elegant TSS Fair Princess seen just before her sale to the Asian’s

Photograph © Reuben Goossens

3 - P&O Cruises Australia - Today

As Sitmar Lines SS Fairsky she was the very last passenger steam Ship ever built

This is a postcard of a wonderful cruise ship, the Pacific Sky!

Postcard from the author’s private collection

When Fair Princess was sold to an Asian interest to become a cruising casino an excellent ship was obtained from Princess Cruises, the Sky Princess and she was renamed Pacific Sky, During her latter days (after the arrival of Pacific Sun) she was relocated to Brisbane, which was a first for P&O and this set and new standard and a record in cruising for Queensland!

MV Pacific Sun seen just after her arrival in Australia and in the new P&O livery, no gone and back to all white!

Photograph © Reuben Goossens

With the massive success of cruising in Australia P&O decided there was a need for a second ship and the Carnival Group decided on sending an ex Carnival ship MV Jubilee, which was given a comprehensive refit, which was described as her being “Australianised” and she was renamed Pacific Sun. Based in Sydney she became a popular ship indeed, whilst the Pacific Sky was doing well in the north.

Pacific Sun was followed by another Carnival ship the ex Tropicale, and she was renamed Pacific Star and she became the second ship to be based in Brisbane whilst the Pacific Sky was to be relocated to Singapore, but having had engine problems, she was soon sold.

MV Pacific Star is seen here departing Brisbane as she sails along the Brisbane River towards Moreton Bay and out to sea

Photograph © Reuben Goossens

Then came the news that Australian cruise lovers had been waiting for, as a new addition was chosen for P&O and it turned out to be the magnificent 70,000-ton MV Crown Princess that soon became Australia’s own and greatly loved Pacific Dawn. This ship without a doubt made one of the biggest changes to Australian cruising in history for finally we had a genuine luxury ship that had all the features like some of the best of international cruise ships around the world. A fine atrium, a grand multi level theatre, superb range of lounges and bars, pools and spa baths, multi choice dinning and a superb range of accommodations including 400 plus balconies including sumptuous suites and mini suites. Pacific Dawn set a whole new standard in cruising for Australians!

Pacific Dawn seen berthed at the Brisbane Portside Cruise Terminal on December 19, 2009

Photograph © Reuben Goossens

Pacific Dawn’s - fabulous “The Dome” locate atop of the ship

Photograph © Reuben Goossens

The Pacific Star was soon sold and Pacific Sun took her place up in Brisbane and she continued cruising with great success. Whilst in Brisbane she had several refits that saw her facilities greatly updated and improved. Including an excellent buffet, and a new barista coffee lounge, a new *Steak and Seafood Restaurant, the *Oasis Adult only deck, and a host of new features throughout the ship.

Then in 2009 Pacific Dawn’s identical sister the ex MV Regal Princess arrived in Australia which had bees renamed Pacific Jewel, and this ship now offered Sydney and NSW cruise lovers a whole new range of facilities, sich as circus at sea, both in the theatre and out on the pool deck as well as countless other features all described on her special webpage. But, she does have one of the largest and most luxurious *©Oasis Spa’s afloat, if not on any ship anywhere!

MV Pacific Jewel based in Sydney

Photo provided by & © Carnival Australia (P&O)

Pacific Jewel’s luxurious ©Oasis Spa treatment room with ocean views

With the arrival of the Pacific Jewel the ships are now based as follows: Pacific Jewel is based in Sydney and the Pacific Dawn is based in Brisbane. Pacific Sun seasonally cruises out of Fremantle, Newcastle, Auckland, Sydney and Brisbane. Late in 2010 the latest arrival will be the ship that was built as the famed Star Princess and she will be named Pacific Pearl. She will commence cruising fro Auckland and then in 2011 move to Sydney.

Pacific Jewel – The Casbah Lounge

Photo provided by & © Carnival Australia (P&O)

The now all white Pacific Sun seen after her Brisbane 2010 refit and she will sail from various ports

Photo provided by & © Carnival Australia (P&O)

Arriving later in 2010 will be the superb 63,500-ton Pacific Pearl will commence cruising from Auckland New Zealand and then in 2011 she will head for Sydney where she will be based.

MV Pacific Pearl, built as the glamorous Star Princess to arrive in Auckland in 2010

Photo provided by & © Carnival Australia (P&O)

Pacific Star has visited Australia previously, but as the P&O Cruises UK MV Arcadia, and the author sailed on her around the maiden world voyage arriving in Sydney on February 24, 1998. She is a magnificent ship and with her P&O Australian makeover she will make a fine Australian cruise ship. One thing I will always recall, she has very spacious cabins!

P&O UK’s MV Arcadia seen in Sydney’s Darling Harbour No 10 - 24 February 1998

Photograph © Reuben Goossens

Pool Deck – Here we see the aft pool, there is another pool forward with a swim up bar pool

Photograph © Reuben Goossens

Why Cruise with P&O?

P&O offers affordable cruises, a vacation that everyone can enjoy. Whatever you are seeking, a cruise certainly has it; it offers efficient and friendly service, world class entertainment, countless bars, lounges and showrooms, superb cuisine, excellent children’s facilities with playgrounds and their own pool and youth centres with computer games, all this is combined with a host of exotic destinations.

All P&O ships offer superb accommodations, ranging from economical 4 berth cabins, excellent value twin/double bedded cabins, and some of the most affordable balcony cabins. At the top end are luxury suites or mini suites. However, no matter the accommodation of choice, the entire ship is for everyone to enjoy!

Dinning on a P&O ship is always an event, one I certainly look forward to when I cruise on a P&O ship! It starts, either with a casual buffet Breakfast in the buffet or out on deck, or a fully served a la carte Breakfast in the main Dinning Room. A continental breakfast is also available in your cabin*. Like breakfast, lunch can also be taken up in the buffet or out on deck, or be pampered and enjoy the a la carte lunch in main Dinning Room. #For dinner a la carte dinning is available in the main Dinning Rooms. Or you might enjoy one of the various popular *alternative dinning options.

P&O has upgraded its services greatly over the recent years with #“Your Choice Dinning” means that you can dine when and with whom you wish throughout the day, be it in the Restaurant or in the Buffet, or you might choose the unbelievable *Seafood and Steakhouse and the popular *Pizzeria and Italian Restaurant! On some ships there is also the superb optional *“Salt Grill” operated by famous Chef Luke Mangan. Menus have been greatly upgraded with some of the finest international chefs of the world now in charge. Entertainment these days have so many features, it is almost beyond comprehension and they do vary from ship to ship, but they include Circus at sea, Laser shows in Atriums, the Comedy Club just to mention three of many new innovations and then there are all the usual grand production shows as well as bands and guest artists.

Other new features include the use of your mobile phone anywhere at sea, except in certain locations of the ship, such as the dining room and show lounge etc, and that is for obvious reasons! In addition even ATM machines are available, dispensing Australian dollars, which can be used at most of the Pacific ports P&O ships visit.

Pacific Jewel Pool Deck & Circus platform amidships

Photo provided by & © Carnival Australia (P&O)

Ever since 1932 P&O has provided a highly skilled and a professional crew and it is their first priority to ensure that your cruise vacation will be a holiday to remember. Thus, no matter where you are on board, be it by the pool, relaxing on a deckchair, or sipping a cocktail under the stars, there will be someone close at hand to attend.

The author has sailed on countless times with P&O Australia cruises and I can highly recommend them, for P&O offers superb value for money.

No, P&O does not pretend to be Cunard Line, thus you are not sailing on the Queen Mary or a super deluxe millionaire style five/six star ship, but you are cruising on one of the best 4 star value packages you will ever find that is perfectly tailored for the Australian and New Zealand market. P&O cruise ships have been tried and proven for 78 long years and believe me it works, and that is why almost every departure from our shores is almost fully booked!

Go and get your brochure now and book as soon as possible for berths for 2010/2011 as they are selling amazingly fast. The 2009/2010 cruise bookings in Australia rose by an amazing 28%, and that was a world record!

Come and join all those who are discovering the best value vacation yet, for it is an all inclusive vacation: excellent accommodations with private facilities, satellite TV and an in cabin safe and so much more, three superb meals per day as well as afternoon tea and tea, coffee, on tap at the buffet all day, etc, friendly service from a super efficient staff, entertainment that never seems to stop including latest release movies, deck and other sports facilities, swimming pools, Jacuzzis, children’s facilities that are second to none! Then there is the ym and for those who want to indulge in that little extra luxury the *Spa. And more than that, these floating resorts take to various exciting destinations, whereas on a land based location you are at the one place and everything else is optional extra!

Come on … Let’s go cruising on a P&O cruise in 2010 or 2011, for I certainly will and just for interest, This review is not base on P&O having given me a “Freebie” for they are certainly not that generous - I pay my fare!

All items marked with an *comes at a small extra charge and that includes the *Oasis Spa and the “Adults only Oasis” outdoor area.

Reuben Goossens

Cruise & ship reviewer, maritime historian, author & lecturer

Visit our many features on the following Carnival PLC Cruise Companies

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P&O Cruises Australia: Pacific Jewel / Pacific Dawn / Pacific Sun / Pacific Pearl

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“The Cruise Specialists” is Australia very first fully dedicated Cruise Specialist and they have been serving the Australian cruise passengers for 27 years. The agencies Director Corie Lisignoli looks forward to hearing from you and providing you with the kind of cruise service and experience you deserve! You will not only receive quality service, but also the latest and the best information and fares available.

Are you a lover of Classical Music and or Drama and Theatre? Then enquire about the annual or bi-annual Classical Concert Cruise or the Drama & Theatre cruises sailing with Princess Cruises Dawn Princess or Sun princess.

For Information and Reservations email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au

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Who is the Author of Cruise-Australia & ssMaritime?

Commenced in the Passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960

Contact the Author …

When sending an email please name the ship you are requesting information or speaking about!

Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial and privately owned cruise site. The author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the future.

However, if you are interested in a cruise, I am happy to refer you to a dedicated cruise agent in Australia, New Zealand or further afield on my recommended “cruise agents” page, for these are agents that specialise in cruising and they will be able offer excellent service you and the best fares available! Be assured, I do NOT receive any commissions or favours from these agents, and in the vast majority of cases these agents will not even be aware of my, or mu site’s involvement, as I provide the enquirer with the requested information of the agents (in their region) including their contact details. Reuben Goossens.

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Photographs on cruise-australia.net are: 1. By the author. 2. From the author’s private collection. 3. As provided by Shipping Companies and private photographers or collectors. Credit is given to all contributors. However, there are photographs provided to me without details provided regarding the photographer concerned. I hereby invite if owners of these images would be so kind to make them-selves known to me, that due credit may be given. I know what it is like, I have seen a multitude of my own photographs on other sites, yet they either refuse to give me credit and even refuse to remove them, knowing full well that there is no legal comeback when it comes to the net. However, let us show the charlatans up and do the right thing at all times and give credit where credit is due! Note: I do not credit those who send me photos as they are not the owners of the photographs concerned, unless the image is part of their private collection.

This notice covers all pages, although, I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!

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