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quote:P&O Australia expands to SingaporeJanuary 24, 2005P&O Cruises Australia will use Singapore and Melbourne as home ports for the first time, md Gavin Smith announced today.Smith, the president of Carnival Australia, said the 46,000gt Pacific Sky will move from Brisbane to Singapore in February 2006 for a three-month season of two different seven-night itineraries around Thailand and Malaysia that can be combined to make a 14-night cruise.ecruising md Brett Dudley, who will hold his fifth annual Sale Day of exclusive cruise and fly/float products at Wharf 8 Darling Harbour on February 13, told Seatrade Insider he is already working on Pacific Sky packages with Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Raffles The Plaza which will be released early next week. Dudley said they will be highly competitive with what Star Cruises has in the marketplace. 'They will be in Australian dollars,' he said, 'and P&O's longer Asian cruises will, for many prospective passengers, make the return flights to and from Singapore worthwhile.'Smith said Pacific Sky will be based in Melbourne from November until next January, prior to her deployment in Singapore. He said during this time she will make three return cruises to New Zealand and the South Pacific.He said she will be replaced in Brisbane by the company's third resident ship, the 36,674gt Costa Tropicale to be renamed Pacific Star when she joins the fleet in December.He said Pacific Sun, Carnival's former Jubilee which became the company's second resident ship last November and is to be officially renamed on February 6, will continue to operate out of Sydney. Seatrade InsiderPacific Sky Singapore boundJanuary 24, 2005 P&O Cruises is basing Pacific Sky in Singapore for a three month season next year.The 1550-passenger ship will also operate its first season of cruises from Melbourne this year, and an inaugural summer cruise program from Auckland.The move is part of an expansion in the company’s cruise program, sparked by the introduction later this year of a third full-time ship, the 1400-passenger Pacific Star.P&O said today that Pacific Star would be based in Brisbane, taking over Pacific Sky ’ s existing cruise schedule from December 18 this year.As a result, Pacific Sky will be free to offer cruises ex Singapore between February and April 2006.Managing director Gavin Smith said the ship would offer nine seven-night cruises to destinations such as Koh Samui and Bangkok in Thailand and Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi in Malaysia.Pacific Sky will operate two different itineraries, which can be combined to make a 14-night cruise featuring nine ports. Fares for seven nights will be priced from $1240pp quad-share, excluding airfares.The vessel will also be based in Melbourne for three round-trip cruises to New Zealand and the South Pacific in November 2005 and January 2006, prior to its Asian deployment.Also on offer are four positioning cruises from Brisbane to Melbourne, Melbourne to Auckland, Auckland to Melbourne and Melbourne to Singapore. Fares are priced from $1772pp quad-share for a 10-night cruise.“These itineraries will enable us to test the potential of Melbourne as a homeport and introduce more Victorians to the pleasures of a cruise holiday,” he said.In addition, Pacific Sky will operate its first season of summer cruising from Auckland, with four cruises during December and January to South Pacific destinations including Fiji and Tonga.Smith said the introduction of this summer schedule would double P&O Cruises’ presence in the New Zealand market and reflected the success of Pacific Sky ’ s existing Auckland winter cruise program.Reed Business Information
P&O Cruises Australia will use Singapore and Melbourne as home ports for the first time, md Gavin Smith announced today.
Smith, the president of Carnival Australia, said the 46,000gt Pacific Sky will move from Brisbane to Singapore in February 2006 for a three-month season of two different seven-night itineraries around Thailand and Malaysia that can be combined to make a 14-night cruise.
ecruising md Brett Dudley, who will hold his fifth annual Sale Day of exclusive cruise and fly/float products at Wharf 8 Darling Harbour on February 13, told Seatrade Insider he is already working on Pacific Sky packages with Qantas, Singapore Airlines and Raffles The Plaza which will be released early next week. Dudley said they will be highly competitive with what Star Cruises has in the marketplace. 'They will be in Australian dollars,' he said, 'and P&O's longer Asian cruises will, for many prospective passengers, make the return flights to and from Singapore worthwhile.'
Smith said Pacific Sky will be based in Melbourne from November until next January, prior to her deployment in Singapore. He said during this time she will make three return cruises to New Zealand and the South Pacific.
He said she will be replaced in Brisbane by the company's third resident ship, the 36,674gt Costa Tropicale to be renamed Pacific Star when she joins the fleet in December.
He said Pacific Sun, Carnival's former Jubilee which became the company's second resident ship last November and is to be officially renamed on February 6, will continue to operate out of Sydney.
Seatrade Insider
Pacific Sky Singapore boundJanuary 24, 2005 P&O Cruises is basing Pacific Sky in Singapore for a three month season next year.
The 1550-passenger ship will also operate its first season of cruises from Melbourne this year, and an inaugural summer cruise program from Auckland.
The move is part of an expansion in the company’s cruise program, sparked by the introduction later this year of a third full-time ship, the 1400-passenger Pacific Star.
P&O said today that Pacific Star would be based in Brisbane, taking over Pacific Sky ’ s existing cruise schedule from December 18 this year.
As a result, Pacific Sky will be free to offer cruises ex Singapore between February and April 2006.
Managing director Gavin Smith said the ship would offer nine seven-night cruises to destinations such as Koh Samui and Bangkok in Thailand and Kuala Lumpur and Langkawi in Malaysia.
Pacific Sky will operate two different itineraries, which can be combined to make a 14-night cruise featuring nine ports. Fares for seven nights will be priced from $1240pp quad-share, excluding airfares.
The vessel will also be based in Melbourne for three round-trip cruises to New Zealand and the South Pacific in November 2005 and January 2006, prior to its Asian deployment.
Also on offer are four positioning cruises from Brisbane to Melbourne, Melbourne to Auckland, Auckland to Melbourne and Melbourne to Singapore. Fares are priced from $1772pp quad-share for a 10-night cruise.
“These itineraries will enable us to test the potential of Melbourne as a homeport and introduce more Victorians to the pleasures of a cruise holiday,” he said.
In addition, Pacific Sky will operate its first season of summer cruising from Auckland, with four cruises during December and January to South Pacific destinations including Fiji and Tonga.
Smith said the introduction of this summer schedule would double P&O Cruises’ presence in the New Zealand market and reflected the success of Pacific Sky ’ s existing Auckland winter cruise program.
Reed Business Information
Prices quoted are in Aussie dollars.
******
Cheers
[ 01-24-2005: Message edited by: bulbousbow ]
Also Melbourne gets a shot at homeporting a P&O ship. I had alluded this in a previous thread Turnaround for Melbourne’s Station Pier. At that time Costa Tropicale’s transfer to P&O Australia as Pacific Star was not yet announced, so I had guessed it could be a Grand/Sapphire class ship, but as P&O Australia will have three Australian based ships, it would be sensible to have them homeported in Australia’s three major markets.
Well we have been SO busy at P&O downunder that our feet have hardly touched the ground.
Organising a 3rd permanent ship and then rescheduling Sky to create a new Asian homeport and cruise region for P&O and indeed the Carnival group would have been work enough, but ontop of this we have had a man overboard, the cancellation of the Aurora world cruise and Oriana taking on water. Ofcourse we had a record number of Australians booked on the white sisters and their woes have caused maximum distruption to our international department, who were already fully stretched with the intergration of the WLCL brands to our Sydney operations!
But all in all we feel the changes we have made to our operations will yield big results and also be a big crowd pleaser!
Our new asian and Tropical north queensland itineraries will give Australians and New Zealanders a real cruising alternative to the south pacific.
Over the next year, P&O Australia will offer 111 departures with 463 calls to 46 different ports in 14 different countries! A very exciting expansion period in our history. And the Tropicale will be a fabulous addition to our fleet, it is a very sophisticated vessel with a distinct european flavour, sure to be a hit! You can see a great virtual tour at http://www.pocruises.com.au/html/qtvr_pacific_star.cfm
Thought you guys might be interested in new sky itineraries. The asian itineraries will be alternating 7 night cruises our of Singapore. The Gulf of Thailand (7 nights 3 ports) itinerary is Singapore - Koh Samui - Bangkok - Kuantan - Singapore and the Strait of Melaka (7 nights 5 ports) itinerary is Singapore - Melaka - Kuala Lumpur - Langkawi - Phuket - Penang - Singapore. These can also be combined to make a 14 night cruise.
These together with Pacific Sky's new melbourne departures and Auckland Christmas holiday season will be released Feb 1 and we have a jam packed brochure coming out late April with all the ships and itineraries right through winter 06!
Should be fantastic. We will have seen the introduction of 2 new ships and a capacity increase of around 180% in less than 12 months. Very exciting.
PS. Pac Sun has settled in very well and feedback has been great.
Any questions ill be more than happy to answer guys!
Pity that the PAC STAR will not receive a new funnel...
Also, what do you mean the ORIANA is taking water?
[ 01-24-2005: Message edited by: Keitaro ]
quote:Bad-luck liner sails into the sunsetBy Brian WilliamsJanuary 25, 2005BAD-LUCK cruise ship the Pacific Sky is heading to Melbourne to be replaced with the Pacific Star, a 1400-passenger vessel that has not long had a $US30 million ($39 million) makeover.P&O Cruises managing director Gavin Smith yesterday refused to concede the Pacific Sky had suffered a run of bad luck despite having had a passenger jump overboard, a sailing delayed after a school of jellyfish was sucked into its engines, problems with transport of passengers from Brisbane's central business district to its Pinkenba terminal and cruises disrupted by mechanical problems. Mr Smith said the Pacific Sky had been a success and evidence of this was that all its cruises were fully booked until May. The stylish 35,000 tonne Pacific Star, built in 1982, is sailing as the Costa Tropicale with the Italian Costa Cruises of Europe and will undergo a cosmetic refit before arriving at Brisbane in December. P&O will move into Multiplex's new Hamilton terminal early next year but Mr Smith said no decision had been taken on whether the company would stay in Brisbane permanently or move to the Gold Coast if a terminal was built there. In November, State Development Minister Tony McGrady told Parliament he had approved a feasibility study into a Gold Coast terminal. The Government also is considering cruise ship terminals for Cairns, Townsville and the Whitsundays and plans to improve the Brisbane River's approaches through a major urban renewal project. Mr Smith said the Gold Coast site was well situated between two major airports and, importantly, had no pilotage issues, such as existed in Brisbane, and no height restrictions. "Ships these days are being built to a height of 60m and that means you've got an issue with the Gateway Bridge (55m) because Hamilton is upstream from there," he said. "(But) at this stage, we're looking at being operational at Hamilton in April-May, 2006." Multiplex state director Shane Bulloch said home-port arrangements would be finalised with major shipping lines including P&O before the terminal was opened. Multiplex expected to take at least 95 per cent of the cruise-ship fleet operating in the Asia-Pacific region and other vessels. Mr McGrady said yesterday that if there were terminals at Brisbane and the Gold Coast, then the Government would be keen to see P&O use both. Mr Smith said the Pacific Star was better suited to the Queensland market because it was shorter and more manoeuvrable, meaning it would be able to berth at Cairns, rather than having to ferry passengers ashore. It also was diesel powered, a factor that eliminated the problem of jellyfish being ingested with the large amounts of seawater taken in by vessels such as the steam-powered Pacific Sky. The cruise market is worth $20 million a year to Australia yet Queensland – which receives 70 per cent of visits – gains only $14 million due to its lack of infrastructure. The Sunday Times
BAD-LUCK cruise ship the Pacific Sky is heading to Melbourne to be replaced with the Pacific Star, a 1400-passenger vessel that has not long had a $US30 million ($39 million) makeover.
P&O Cruises managing director Gavin Smith yesterday refused to concede the Pacific Sky had suffered a run of bad luck despite having had a passenger jump overboard, a sailing delayed after a school of jellyfish was sucked into its engines, problems with transport of passengers from Brisbane's central business district to its Pinkenba terminal and cruises disrupted by mechanical problems.
Mr Smith said the Pacific Sky had been a success and evidence of this was that all its cruises were fully booked until May.
The stylish 35,000 tonne Pacific Star, built in 1982, is sailing as the Costa Tropicale with the Italian Costa Cruises of Europe and will undergo a cosmetic refit before arriving at Brisbane in December.
P&O will move into Multiplex's new Hamilton terminal early next year but Mr Smith said no decision had been taken on whether the company would stay in Brisbane permanently or move to the Gold Coast if a terminal was built there.
In November, State Development Minister Tony McGrady told Parliament he had approved a feasibility study into a Gold Coast terminal.
The Government also is considering cruise ship terminals for Cairns, Townsville and the Whitsundays and plans to improve the Brisbane River's approaches through a major urban renewal project.
Mr Smith said the Gold Coast site was well situated between two major airports and, importantly, had no pilotage issues, such as existed in Brisbane, and no height restrictions.
"Ships these days are being built to a height of 60m and that means you've got an issue with the Gateway Bridge (55m) because Hamilton is upstream from there," he said.
"(But) at this stage, we're looking at being operational at Hamilton in April-May, 2006."
Multiplex state director Shane Bulloch said home-port arrangements would be finalised with major shipping lines including P&O before the terminal was opened.
Multiplex expected to take at least 95 per cent of the cruise-ship fleet operating in the Asia-Pacific region and other vessels.
Mr McGrady said yesterday that if there were terminals at Brisbane and the Gold Coast, then the Government would be keen to see P&O use both.
Mr Smith said the Pacific Star was better suited to the Queensland market because it was shorter and more manoeuvrable, meaning it would be able to berth at Cairns, rather than having to ferry passengers ashore.
It also was diesel powered, a factor that eliminated the problem of jellyfish being ingested with the large amounts of seawater taken in by vessels such as the steam-powered Pacific Sky.
The cruise market is worth $20 million a year to Australia yet Queensland – which receives 70 per cent of visits – gains only $14 million due to its lack of infrastructure.
The Sunday Times
It looks like they are going cruise terminal nuts up there in Queensland.
quote:Originally posted by Keitaro:I am curious to know if Carnival Corp. has plans to rename the P&O Australia brand? If they plan on moving existing P&O Aus ships to Asian ports, I would think the "Australia" part can be misleading? [ 01-24-2005: Message edited by: Keitaro ]
I like "P&O Pacific Cruises". It fits well w/o being a major departure. If Carnival desires a presence in Asia it makes sense to use its Australian brand to do it. Just as Star is taking its Asian brand to Australia.
quote:Originally posted by P&O:So the news has spread already!!Well we have been SO busy at P&O downunder that our feet have hardly touched the ground. and Oriana taking on water.
and Oriana taking on water.
What is this about ...Oriana taking on water?Any heard anything about this?
quote:Originally posted by bmajor:What is this about ...Oriana taking on water?Any heard anything about this?
[ 01-25-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]
I for one are more interested in the repositioning cruises from melbourne/brisbane to singapore... again will have to wait for these to be published.
Keitaro - ive only briefly read press released etc but where do they comment on the funnel? i find it strange that they wouldnt remodel/replace the funnel. Lets hope they do a better paint job then the writing of pacific sun's funnel.
quote:Originally posted by phil_a:Keitaro - ive only briefly read press released etc but where do they comment on the funnel? i find it strange that they wouldnt remodel/replace the funnel. Lets hope they do a better paint job then the writing of pacific sun's funnel.
Larger version
Large ariel shot
Thinking of it, I wonder how a yellow Carnival funnel would have looked on the COSTA TROPICALE if Carnival did not give her a new funnel...
I just read another press release which states that
quote: the Pacific Star will take over Pacific Sky’s existing cruise schedule on December 18
but then it also says
quote:It will officially join P&O Cruises fleet in October before sailing to its new home in Brisbane.
So does that mean it will have a refit/new paint job in october? will this happen overseas? then have a repositioning cruise down to brisbane? or will it come down to brisbane and get its new paint job here (*like the pacific sky did back in 2000) and then commence cruising in december?
anyone have any thoughts on this? or indeed have read the actual plans in some press release?
I think we are looking at a new era in cruising downunder.P&O Australia/Carnival plc.will now be able to offer wonderful cruises that extend up into Asia........as well as the Pacific island calls.....they will now call at Melbourne,Adelaide ,Perth and Darwin,I am also interested in the repositioning cruisesWe have a lot to look forward to......BUT......Why can't we have newish ships.....that not only "us folk downunder"but the rest of the world would flock to.
quote:bmajor wrote:...Why can't we have newish ships....that not only "us folk downunder" but the rest of the world would flock to.
Well, we do, but only for a short season: Pacific Princess and Sapphire/Diamond Princess.
If P&O aren't going to supply a newish ship for us maybe someone else will. Who do you think that will be?
quote:Originally posted by bulbousbow: If P&O aren't going to supply a newish ship for us maybe someone else will. Who do you think that will be?
quote:Home port cruising new for P&O in 2005/2006January 27, 2005 P&O are confidently going where no other cruise line in Australia has gone before. The cruise boom of the 70's can't compare to the exciting 2005/2006 season planned for P&O Australia. Home Port cruising is the concept where P&O will have 3 ships sailing from 3 Aussie ports – Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane. Pacific Sky currently operating ex Brisbane will be replaced by the new Pacific Star in December 2005. Pacific Sky will, after a small refit later this year, commence cruising ex Melbourne and Auckland then be repositioned to Singapore. Pacific Sun will continue ex Sydney. (see cruising calendar below) Gavin Smith, Managing Director of P&O Cruises announced that Pacific Star's deployment in December ex Brisbane demonstrates our commitment and confidence in the continuing support of Queensland passengers. The season has also been very popular and well supported by NSW and VIC passengers. Queensland can now say it has an established cruise industry and in April/May 06 will see P&O move to the new Brisbane port of Hamilton. Having a 3rd ship offers us the flexibility to rotate ships ex Australia 's 3 major cruise hubs with Fremantle another home porting option that P&O are evaluating for the future said Mr Smith. Australian holidaymakers have never had so many choices. Ex Melbourne cruises will encourage Victorians to take a P&O cruise from their doorstep. Port facilities are being upgraded in Port Melbourne. Over 20,000 Brisbane passengers have already had the opportunity to depart and arrive from their home port, now it's Melbourne 's turn. The cruise market is booming and P&O are well positioned to capitalize on the growing trend of leisure cruising in the South Pacific.Pacific Star Brisbane from 18 December 2005 (Replacing Pacific Sky) Pacific Sky Brisbane September – October 2005 Melbourne November 2005 and January 2006 Auckland December 2005 and January 2006 Singapore February – April 2006 (Visiting Malaysia & Thailand ) Pacific Sun Sydney Year round 2005 – 2006Robert Manuel
Home Port cruising is the concept where P&O will have 3 ships sailing from 3 Aussie ports – Sydney, Melbourne & Brisbane. Pacific Sky currently operating ex Brisbane will be replaced by the new Pacific Star in December 2005. Pacific Sky will, after a small refit later this year, commence cruising ex Melbourne and Auckland then be repositioned to Singapore. Pacific Sun will continue ex Sydney. (see cruising calendar below)
Gavin Smith, Managing Director of P&O Cruises announced that Pacific Star's deployment in December ex Brisbane demonstrates our commitment and confidence in the continuing support of Queensland passengers. The season has also been very popular and well supported by NSW and VIC passengers. Queensland can now say it has an established cruise industry and in April/May 06 will see P&O move to the new Brisbane port of Hamilton.
Having a 3rd ship offers us the flexibility to rotate ships ex Australia 's 3 major cruise hubs with Fremantle another home porting option that P&O are evaluating for the future said Mr Smith.
Australian holidaymakers have never had so many choices. Ex Melbourne cruises will encourage Victorians to take a P&O cruise from their doorstep. Port facilities are being upgraded in Port Melbourne. Over 20,000 Brisbane passengers have already had the opportunity to depart and arrive from their home port, now it's Melbourne 's turn.
The cruise market is booming and P&O are well positioned to capitalize on the growing trend of leisure cruising in the South Pacific.
Robert Manuel
[ 01-26-2005: Message edited by: bulbousbow ]
quote:keitaro wrote:Hopefully Star will send the VIRGO or other NCL tonnages down under?
SUPERSTAR VIRGO would be the perfect choice but it’s more likely a NCL ship would end up down under. Steeplechase gave us a hint in the thread: Live from the Super Star Virgo that Star have intentions of deploying SUPERSTAR VIRGO to India. A little disappointing for us Aussies who were hoping to see another large new cruise ship here from someone other than P&O Australia (Carnival Corp plc.). Anyway the next few years will be exciting for the Australasian cruise scene. HAL will be homeporting Statendam here and Celebrity will send Summit to test the Asia-Pacific waters, we can only wait and see what else turns up.
quote: Fremantle another home porting option that P&O are evaluating for the future said Mr Smith
As you would probably guess, im most excited about the above quote!
I think P&O have done well by aquiring the pac sun and star. I, like others, would have thought the pacific skys days were numbered... but by having these other ships based in syd/bris its enabled them to homeport pac sky in 'new' homeports. Thus extending its life and providing a 'new' experience for local people living in melb/singapore and hopefully soon perth.
With respects to new tonnage... i think we will have to put up with the 'hand me downs' and just look forward to the visiting lines during the summer.
I know how very well liked the Pacific Sky is down under. I have always wanted to sail this ship. But due to time restraints and economics, I have yet been able to do so.
I for one am very pleased that Pacific Sky will be deployed to Singapore. Being that I am located in Taiwan and South China coast, it is much easier now for me to finally experience this ship which I have heard and read so much about. Hopefully I will learn first hand why she is so special to you all.
Best regards,Mike--from a cold, rainy TaiShan
quote:...Fremantle another home porting option that P&O are evaluating for the future...
Yes, this would be exciting news for you Sandgropers (Western Australians). My guess is, whichever ship they choose, it will probably cruise up the west coast to Darwin, Bali and Singapore. If it comes eastward, across the Bight, it will do so only for repositioning. Am I spot on?
quote:it will do so only for repositioning. Am I spot on?
Unfortuneately i think this is true... but this time round it will be the same here for us in the west! just a one day stopover... anyway fingers crossed there will be some affordable/interesting repositioning cruises.
bulbousbow - would you consider a cruise from melb? or better still from adelaide? what do you think the repositioning itinerary would include for feb 2006?? melb, adelaide, albany, fremantle, exmouth, broome?, bali, singapore.???
[ 01-29-2005: Message edited by: phil_a ]
quote:phil_a wrote:bulbousbow - would you consider a cruise from melb? or better still from adelaide? what do you think the repositioning itinerary would include for feb 2006?? melb, adelaide, albany, fremantle, exmouth, broome?, bali, singapore.???
Phil, of course I would prefer a cruise out of my home town (Adelaide), but if I had to embark at Melbourne I wouldn't mind. It is possible that a repositioning cruise may include the ports you mentioned. Maybe include Sydney as well.
[ 01-29-2005: Message edited by: bulbousbow ]
Out of interest, have you taken any/many cruises on Pacific Princess, Pac Sky or Pac Sun?
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