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Delay to Pacific Sky dry dock causes changes to P&O Cruises' June -July deployments
June 1, 2005

P&O Cruises Australia has announced that a delay in the completion of repairs to Pacific Sky has caused changes to three scheduled Pacific Sun cruises in June and July 2005.

The company said the delay in the repairs to Pacific Sky's starboard engine gearbox would defer the ship's departure from its present dry dock in Brisbane by approximately five days.

This delay will prevent Pacific Sky from reaching Auckland in time for the start of its scheduled two-week Lions' Rugby Tour charter in New Zealand from June 21 to July 6.

As a result, Pacific Sun will now replace Pacific Sky on the charter.

To accommodate the move, the following alterations have been made to the existing Pacific Sun cruise schedule:

• Pacific Sun's June 14, 11-night round trip ex Sydney (N518), will be reduced to seven nights and conclude in Auckland. Passengers will receive a pro-rata refund for the reduced days, an on board spending credit of $300, as well as transfers by air from Auckland to Sydney.
• Pacific Sun's July 4, 10-night round trip ex Sydney (N520) will be reduced to seven nights and commence in Auckland on 7 July, following Pacific Sun's charter. Passengers will be transferred by air from Sydney to Auckland to commence the cruise on July 7 and will receive a pro-rata refund for the reduced cruise length as well as an onboard spending credit of $300.
• Pacific Sky will reposition to Sydney following its dry dock, to replace Pacific Sun on the scheduled June 25 departure (N519). This cruise will be shortened by one night to an eight-night voyage to enable Pacific Sky to be repositioned to Auckland from July 3 to commence her New Zealand winter deployment on July 7. Passengers will receive a pro-rata refund for the reduced cruise length as well as an on board spending credit of $200.

P&O Cruises Managing Director Gavin Smith apologised for any inconvenience caused by the changes to the cruise schedule.

“Our goal is to ensure that all of our passengers booked on these cruises are still able to enjoy a cruise holiday, albeit of reduced duration,” Mr Smith said.

He said a special toll-free number 1300 763 212 had been established to assist passengers with any queries.

Mr Smith said P&O Cruises was committed to returning Pacific Sky to service in excellent condition.

“Whilst the repairs to Pacific Sky's starboard engine gearbox are going well, some extra work has had to be carried out by the components' manufacturer. This has resulted in a further short delay in the availability of some parts, making these schedule changes necessary.”

P&O Cruises

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Poor Pacific Sky!

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Cheers

[ 06-01-2005: Message edited by: bulbousbow ]

well after all this the pac sky should come out bigger and better then ever (and hopefully more reliable)

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phil_a wrote:
not poor pacific sky... poor pax booked on cruises~!

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Those affected will get a good deal out of the compensation. Of course that's no solace to those that are unable to change their plans.

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Pac Sky ... will commence sea trials next week prior to a repositioning voyage to Auckland for a 10-night cruise to Vanuatu and New Caledonia on July 7

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According to an earlier press release, people scheduled on this latest cruise were told less then 48hrs before they were due to travel that it had been cancelled!

June 23, 2005

Pacific Sky Cruise Cancellation

P&O Cruises Australia today announced the cancellation of Pacific Sky’s 8-night South Pacific cruise (P522N) due to depart Sydney on Saturday June 25, because of a further delay to the repair of the ship’s starboard gearbox.

P&O Cruises Managing Director Gavin Smith said: “We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and apologise to them.

“Unfortunately the repairs to the gearbox have not been completed in time to be able to fulfil the itinerary as proposed. We have therefore decided to cancel the cruise.

“When we commenced the repairs in March we emphasised that we would only return to sea when the problems with the gearbox were put behind us once and for all, and this remains our objective. We share our passengers’ disappointment that this cruise has had to be cancelled and hope they will understand the need to complete a thorough repair of the gearbox before returning the ship to service.”

Mr. Smith said the company was contacting all passengers and their travel agents today to advise them of the cancellation.

Passengers will receive a full refund and a 25% Future Cruise Credit which can be used on any cruise booked before June 30, 2006 on any of P&O Cruises Australia’s three ships: Pacific Sun, Pacific Sky or Pacific Star.

Refund cheques are being forwarded today to travel agents or to passengers who booked independently to enable passengers to make immediate alternative holiday arrangements.

A special toll-free number 1300 763 212 has been established to assist passengers with any queries.

Does anyone know if Pacific Sky will be marketed locally in Singapore when she commences cruising ex-Singapore in February 2006?

I would very much like to try this ship.

Thanks.