P&O boosts cruise fleet in Australia
P&O Cruises will add more ships next year to make it the largest fleet of cruise ships home-ported year round in Australia.
Carnival Group’s biggest-ever single fleet expansion has been welcomed by the Australian tourism industry.
The additional ships will transfer to P&O Cruises from Holland America Line in November 2015.
Work is underway to develop itineraries and home-porting arrangements for the expanded fleet.
Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises, said: "Adding two more ships to the fleet is a signal that the next generation of P&O Cruises is about to commence.
"It will also accelerate progress in reaching the industry goal of a million passengers a year by 2016 – four years earlier than forecast."
With the P&O expansion, Carnival Group will have 12 ships home-ported in Australia with fleets from P&O Cruises, Carnival Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises.
Tourism Accommodation Australia managing director, Rodger Powell, said: "When cruise ships are in town hotels are full. Guests stay before departure and after arrival so this is terrific news for our members.
"This will benefit the wider Australian tourism industry as well, because cruise passengers have an important multiplier effect on the domestic economy, spending money on restaurants, shopping and sightseeing."
Ian Jarrett
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