Pacific Explorer travellers told all itineraries ‘are being cancelled’ after P&O Cruising is absorbed

P&O Cruises Australia has announced major cancellations, just hours after it was revealed the brand would be absorbed by sister company Carnival Cruise Line next year.

In a major bombshell for travellers, P&O says all Pacific Explorer cruises scheduled to set sail after March 2, 2025 “are being cancelled”.

“If you are booked on one of these itineraries, you will be contacted by Guest Services in the coming days with refund details,” the company said.

“We apologise that this change has been necessary.

“If you are booked to cruise before this date, your itinerary is unaffected and we look forward to welcoming you on board soon.”

On Tuesday, Carnival Corporation announced it would fold P&O Cruises Australia into Carnival Cruise Line, “which has served the South Pacific since 2013”, early next year.

The Pacific Explorer will be pushed out of the fleet under the transition, while P&O’s Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure ships will sail under the sister line.

P&O said it was “working to process all refunds for impacted Explorer passengers as soon as possible”.

“Please allow up to 20 business days after the closure of the online form on June 30, 2024 for your refund to be processed,” the company said.

“Please note that refunds will be processed back to the method of payment. If you also had purchased any add-ons or packages, such as shore tours, these will be refunded separately back to the method of payment used.

“If you have booked through a travel agent, the refund of the cruise fare paid will be processed back to your travel agent.”

Increased costs contributed to the decision to merge the two lines, Carnival chief executive officer Josh Weinstein said.

“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,” Weinstein said.

“We recognise that P&O Cruises Australia is much loved across the region, having been dedicated to local operations for over 90 years, delighting guests and being welcomed by destinations across the region.”

Other sister brands including Princess Cruises, Cunard, Holland America Line and Seabourn are unaffected by Tuesday’s news.

Pacific Explorer’s last cruise will be an 11-night journey to Singapore that departs Fremantle on February 7.

The ship was billed by P&O as a vessel with “something for every member of the family” thanks to its dining options and variety of entertainment.

In late 2022, a young woman died after falling overboard from the ship off the South Australian coast while travelling with her mother.

The missing 23-year-old passenger was later found dead in the water.