pacific sun p&o cruise ship

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Sale away: Pacific Sun cruise ship to leave Australia

MUCH-LOVED cruise ship Pacific Sun has been sold by P&O to make way for newer and bigger ships in the fast-growing Australian market.

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MUCH-LOVED cruise ship Pacific Sun has been sold by P&O to make way for newer and bigger ships in the fast-growing Australian market.

Die-hard fans of the ship, billed as "Australia's favourite cruise ship'', are rushing to book on the final cruise, which departs Brisbane on July 1. More than half a million passengers have sailed on the Pacific Sun, which also sails out of Sydney and Newcastle, in the seven years it has been sailing the South Pacific with P&O. The ship is believed to have been bought by a Chinese company, which is likely to launch new cruises out of China towards the end of next year. Passengers booked on cruises out of Australia after July will be forced to switch to sailings on other ships in the P&O fleet. The 25-year-old ship hit the headlines earlier this year when three cruises were cut short because of engine problems , but Carnival Australia spokesman David Jones said that didn't contribute to the decision to sell. "Ships are machinery and even newer ships have mechanical problems at times,'' he said. Mr Jones said the sale represented "generational change'', with newer and bigger ships from sister company Carnival pouring into Australia, which is the fastest-growing cruise market in the world. The company will welcome the 88,500 tonne Carnival Spirit, which will sail from Sydney, in October next year. "Passengers just love the Pacific Sun,'' Mr Jones said. "She gained a well-deserved reputation as Australia's favourite cruise ship. "You always have a soft spot for the first ship you go on and the Pacific Sun introduced many thousands of Aussies and Kiwis to cruising. "It has a sentimental pull for many people. "Customers are sad that they're going to be saying farewell to Pacific Sun and we expect there to be a lot of die-hard fans on the final cruise.'' Cabins are still available for several cruises between January and June. Other ships in Carnival Australia's fleet include P&O Cruise's Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl and Princess Cruises' Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess. Carnival Australia said travellers booked on Pacific Sun cruises after July 8 will be re-booked on equivalent or near equivalent cruises on other P&O Cruises ships or offered a choice of alternative cruises on other ships in the fleet where a near equivalent match is not possible. It will provide refunds to passengers for whom no alternative cruise choice is suitable. Are booked on a cruise on the Pacific Sun? Email us.  

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A child who just returned from an overseas trip with his family has contracted measles, leading health authorities to issue an urgent warning.

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• P&O Cruises ( Australia )

Is it time that P&O scrapped the Pacific Sun

By Australian family , March 12, 2010 in P&O Cruises ( Australia )

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Australian family

Given all the troubles P&O are having with the Pacific Sun is it time that they shuffled it off?

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Yes time to move it on. It's the only ship I have disliked and would never travel on her again even for free. I have been on other ships that have broken down and would travel on them again but not the SUN

Kiwi_cruiser

Why is their another thread talking about the Pacific Sun, when their is "Just how reliable are P&O Oz cruise ships?" talking about the same thing???!!

Any way, I don’t think it time to get ride of the Pacific Sun, since her last dry dock in 2009, as far as I am aware / read she has not had any Major problems, up till now (ok, so the Air Con, was not working in place of the ship, but that was because of the heat, that’s what one of the crew said. (From when she did her Flower Of Asia trips)

We sailed on her over Christmas / New Year (2009/2010), and she seemed to be going fine then.

Why is their another thread talking about the Pacific Sun, when their is "Just how reliable are P&O Oz cruise ships?" talking about the same thing???!!   Any way, I don’t think it time to get ride of the Pacific Sun, since her last dry dock in 2009, as far as I am aware / read she has not had any Major problems, up till now (ok, so the Air Con, was not working in place of the ship, but that was because of the heat, that’s what one of the crew said. (From when she did her Flower Of Asia trips)   We sailed on her over Christmas / New Year (2009/2010), and she seemed to be going fine then.

Yes I am aware of that thread, but I am talking about the Pacific Sun. P&O moved her from Brisbane to Sydney obviously because us Queenslanders were sick of the problems. They think by moving it, people won't be aware of previous problems.

She has had other problems: Cruise ship anchored after engine problems in Moreton Bay http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/03/2234574.htm

Aus Traveller

Yes I am aware of that thread, but I am talking about the Pacific Sun. P&O moved her from Brisbane to Sydney obviously because us Queenslanders were sick of the problems. They think by moving it, people won't be aware of previous problems.   She has had other problems: Cruise ship anchored after engine problems in Moreton Bay http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/03/2234574.htm

If you want to make a suggestion, fair enough, but please don't state this as a fact. Unless you were in the P & O boardroom (or sitting in on high-level discussions) you would not have sufficient knowledge to make the statements you have.

I don't agree that "us Queenslanders were sick of the problems (with Pacific Sun) and that they think by moving it people won't be aware of previous problems. Some Queenslanders might be "sick of the Sun", but a lot of are very happy with the ship. We are among them and we have cruised on a lot of ships including several other cruiselines.

When Pacific Jewel arrived in Australia it was probably a logical move to bring the Pacific Dawn (slightly newer and larger) to Brisbane and move the Sun around to areas where they could use a second cruiseship, or to Auckland for part of the year. Previously when the Sun went to Auckland in the winter, Brisbane was left without a ship. I think what they have done makes good business sense.

As to selling the Pacific Sun - I am sure when that makes good business sense it will be done, but it might not be until the Pacific Pearl arrives.

jessica3152

As I have said elsewhere, it is time to retire Pacific Sun though I doubt anyone would buy her. She is fairly old and not in great nick. She lacks many of the features people are after in modern cruise ships and you can't even say she has a classic profile. She is quite ugly.

I enjoyed my cruise on her 4 years ago but she was aging then and seems things have gotten worse since.

When P & O want to sell the Sun, I'm fairly confident they will be able to. Pulmantur bought both the Pacific Star and Pacific Sky.

I wish they would give the Pacific Sky back.:D

Yes I am aware of that thread, but I am talking about the Pacific Sun. P&O moved her from Brisbane to Sydney obviously because us Queenslanders were sick of the problems. They think by moving it, people won't be aware of previous problems.   She has had other problems: Cruise ship anchored after engine problems in Moreton Bay http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05 /03/2234574.htm

Is that the latest link you can find .......its from 2008.....being a Queenslander i will speak up for myself here and say quite honestly i wasn't that bothered what ship was here.....could it also be that in giving us a larger ship they could actually board more passengers:rolleyes:

Ships run 24/365 and unfortunately like cars and buses they DO breakdown ....if only the cruiseline could predict when...then all their problems would be solved..Shiona

No need to get rid of the ship .....just maintain it more regularly.It still has a good workable life....Keep the fares at a lower costs....entry level cruising.I know heaps of people who had their 1st cruise on the Sun at have become addicted ..like us all.I know I was introduced to cruising on a ship a lot older than Sun and loved it.In time people who cruise regularly will work it out for themselves.....Im a great believer in preserving all ships..

Yes, Pullmantur take on a lot of the older ships. They still have Pacific Sky (now sailing as Atlantic Star) and Pacific Star (now sailing as Ocean Dream). Pacific Sun seems to be going down the same road as Pacific Sky did, so I wouldn't be surprised to see her sold to Pullmantur (or a similar smaller line). Both ships have gone on to successful careers after leaving Australia.

Atlantic Star (aka Fairsky, Sky Princess, Pacific Sky, Sky Wonder)

Ocean Dream (aka Costa Tropicali, Pacific Star)

If P&O do sell Pacific Sun in the near future, it won't be because of "all the problems" she's alleged to have had, but more because she will be the odd ship in the fleet when compared to Pacific Jewel, Pacific Dawn and Pacific Pearl, and because, despite the huge increase in the cruising sector, Australia may well still be too small a market for 4 (6 if you include Dawn Princess & Sun Princess) permanently based cruise ships.

Having been on Pacific Sun 4 times since she came to Australia in 2005 - I have to say that she's a much better ship now than she was when she first arrived. P&O have made a lot of improvements to her while she's been here.

Any mechanical device that is run 24hrs a day, 7 days a week in an environment constantly throwing challenges at it (waves, winds, etc) is going to experience problems at some point in time. Even the QE2 and QM2 have had mechanical issues... They're unavoidable.

And as for Pacific Sun being old.... When the Fairstar was retired from P&O Australia in 1997 she was 42 years old, having been built as the Oxfordshire in 1955.

Fair Princess, her replacement, was built in 1956 and so was 41 years old when she arrived in Australia and 44 when she was replaced by the sprighlty 16 year old Pacific Sky.

(Quote) Having been on Pacific Sun 4 times since she came to Australia in 2005 - I have to say that she's a much better ship now than she was when she first arrived. P&O have made a lot of improvements to her while she's been here. (end quote - I didn't cut the whole post with pics because they are not relevant to what I want to say .)

I agree with your comments. We went on the Pacific Sun when she sailed as part of the Carnival line and were rather disappointed. There were seriously worn carpets and other signs that she needed refurbishment. We have been on the ship a few times since she came to P & O and she is much nicer now. We will happily sail on her again.

... P&O moved her from Brisbane to Sydney obviously because us Queenslanders were sick of the problems. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/05/03/2234574.htm

Thay haven't moved her to Sydney. She was doing one cruise from here and then the relocation cruise to Auckland for her NZ season.

We cruised on the Sun 4 years ago and loved her. My son is on the current cruise & was really happy when he found out this cruise was on the Sun (the people he's gone with picked the cruise & he assumed it was on the Dawn or Jewel).

Okay, maybe he isn't over thrilled about it right this minute (lol) but I'm sure he'll be happy with his 100% refund.

Kiwi Kruzer

Hi ,   No need to get rid of the ship .....just maintain it more regularly.It still has a good workable life....Keep the fares at a lower costs....entry level cruising.I know heaps of people who had their 1st cruise on the Sun at have become addicted ..like us all.I know I was introduced to cruising on a ship a lot older than Sun and loved it.In time people who cruise regularly will work it out for themselves.....Im a great believer in preserving all ships..   Col:)

I hear what you are saying Col,

and in a perfect world that would make sense.

Unfortunately,

to keep these old ships cruising

costs a lot of money in

maintenance and upkeep.

Perhaps that is why we are charged so much

just to keep them running.

dougo in oz

I can understand the argument to sell her off due to age or maintenance costs etc, but I also believe that she offers good value for cheaper priced cruises.

I've been on her twice and I'm going on her again in May. I have been on 5 star and 4 star ships before, and provided the Pacific Sun gets me safely to where I want to go, and the customer service, food etc is fine, then I'm prepared to accept a smaller cabin without all the amenities of a newer ship.

I have been on 5 star and 4 star ships before, and provided the Pacific Sun gets me safely to where I want to go, and the customer service, food etc is fine, then I'm prepared to accept a smaller cabin without all the amenities of a newer ship.

The cabins on the Pacific Sun (and Dawn and Jewel) are actually larger (17 sq m) than on the Sun Princess & Dawn Princess (12 to 14 sq m).

We feel that all ships have their pluses and minuses and people have different opinions on which they prefer. It would be boring if we all thought the same!!

The cabins on the Pacific Sun (and Dawn and Jewel) are actually larger (17 sq m) than on the Sun Princess & Dawn Princess (12 to 14 sq m).   We feel that all ships have their pluses and minuses and people have different opinions on which they prefer. It would be boring if we all thought the same!!

Very true!!

Australianfamily and all the other posters

Irregardless of what the supporters say my wife and I had a bad experience with P&O about 10 years years ago on the Fairstar and even though it was an "old" ship then we will never sail with P&O again. It took us until Xmas last year to venture back into the cruise game and we sailed on Dawn Princess to New Zealand. The comparison with P&O even with a 10 year gap was uncomparable with Princess.

It seems strange that most complaints about ship reliability seems to be against P&O.

We are unforgiving so will now stick with Princess.

I think internally the Pacific Sun is a lovely ship, food was lovely, entertainment great, but after going on the Pacific Dawn we found the Pacific Sun crowded, if they reduced the number of passengers on this particular ship it would be far more comfortable, oh and fixed the airconditioning!

it is a real shame because P O used to have a good reputation, years ago.

can anyone say who owns the company these days?

THERE CERTAINLY has been a lot of bad press in australia in recent years. a court case is still pending re a nasty incident but i think by the sounds of what others have said security is now improved.

however having no aircon would mean we would not travel with them for any cost.

it is a real shame because P O used to have a good reputation, years ago. can anyone say who owns the company these days?   THERE CERTAINLY has been a lot of bad press in australia in recent years. a court case is still pending re a nasty incident but i think by the sounds of what others have said security is now improved.   however having no aircon would mean we would not travel with them for any cost.

P & O cruiselines have been owned by Carnival Corp (USA) since 2000. They also own Princess, Cunard, Carnival, Holland America, Costa, Aida (and there might be another one I have forgotten).

Maybe there are more incidents now because there are more ships and more people cruising. Also, some incidents have been caused by a small minority of passengers. Security is very tight on the Australian ships compared with P & O UK. I also feel that the press love a 'beat-up' and P & O seem to be a popular target. Often the incidents reported are in no way the fault of P & O, but to hear it from the media, you would think that P & O engineered the problem.

No aircon - That would have been a short-lived isolated breakdown. Someone posted here on the forum that the aircon didn't work in a section of the ship for a period of time. That is the only time I have heard about it. Someone also remarked that the aircon wasn't cold enough but it was boiling hot outside. The usual grumble from people is that it is too cold in the lounge, but when it fills with people it isn't such an issue. Sounds a bit like Goldilocks - too hot or too cold!

Security is definitely top notch. Always around, but not intrusive. By the way there were no problems with the Pac Dawn's air conditioning!

P & O cruiselines have been owned by Carnival Corp (USA) since 2000. They also own Princess, Cunard, Carnival, Holland America, Costa, Aida (and there might be another one I have forgotten).   Maybe there are more incidents now because there are more ships and more people cruising. Also, some incidents have been caused by a small minority of passengers. Security is very tight on the Australian ships compared with P & O UK. I also feel that the press love a 'beat-up' and P & O seem to be a popular target. Often the incidents reported are in no way the fault of P & O, but to hear it from the media, you would think that P & O engineered the problem.   No aircon - That would have been a short-lived isolated breakdown. Someone posted here on the forum that the aircon didn't work in a section of the ship for a period of time. That is the only time I have heard about it. Someone also remarked that the aircon wasn't cold enough but it was boiling hot outside. The usual grumble from people is that it is too cold in the lounge, but when it fills with people it isn't such an issue. Sounds a bit like Goldilocks - too hot or too cold!

thank you for your answer. i have now had a look at carnival corp website. it all makes sense.

same owner for many brands to appeal to different markets.

this forum is excellent for up to date info. its strength is it is word of mouth from consumers.

it helps to inform my decision when i travel. very valuable.

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

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Here’s What Happening with the P&O Australia Fleet

• June 18, 2024

After the recent news of the brand being absorbed by Carnival Cruise Lines , Cruise Industry News looks at the fate of the P&O Cruises Australia three-ship fleet.

Pacific Encounter (ex-Star Princess) Capacity: 2,600 guests Tonnage: 109,000 Year built: 2001 Fate: To be incorporated by Carnival Cruise Line Date: March 2025

The Pacific Encounter is set to join the Carnival Cruise Line fleet. Following rebranding and a tech update , the ship will be incorporated by the company in March 2025.

The 2,600-guest vessel will continue to sail its scheduled program of cruises departing from Brisbane, Australia.

Built for Princess Cruises in the early 2000s, the Pacific Encounter joined the P&O Cruises Australia fleet in 2022.

Pacific Adventure (ex-Golden Princess) Capacity: 2,600 guests Tonnage: 109,000 Year built: 2001 Fate: To be incorporated by Carnival Cruise Line Date: March 2025

Like its sister ship the Pacific Encounter, the Pacific Adventure will be incorporated into the Carnival Cruise Line fleet in March 2025.

To be renamed Carnival Adventure, the 2001-built ship is set to continue sailing from Sydney, Australia, following a tech update and rebranding .

Originally in service for Princess Cruises, the Adventure has been sailing for P&O Cruises Australia since late 2022.

Pacific Explorer (ex-Dawn Princess) Capacity: 1,998 guests Tonnage: 77,000 Year built: 1997 Fate: Expected to be sold off Date: February 2025

The Pacific Explorer will embark on its final cruise for P&O Cruises in February 2025. Currently one of the oldest ships in the Carnival Corporation fleet, the 1997-built vessel is projected to be sold off .

More details regarding the ship’s future are expected to be revealed over the coming months.

It is one in a series of ships that started with the 1995-built Sun Princess, the Pacific Explorer was originally built for Princess Cruises and joined P&O Cruises Australia’s fleet in 2017.

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Pacific World

Former name: sun princess.

Cruise line Peace Boat Cruises Japan (Small Cruise Lines)

Pacific World current position

Pacific World current location is at US East Coast (coordinates 37.93448 N / -70.71461 W) cruising at speed of 15.8 kn (29 km/h | 18 mph) en route to Cartagena Colombia. The AIS position was reported 35 minutes ago.

Specifications of Pacific World

•   Review
•   Wiki

Pacific World Review

Review of pacific world.

The 1995-built (as "Sun Princess") cruise ship Pacific World is the first Sun-class vessel in the Princess Cruises fleet - with sisterships Dawn Princess (now Pacific Explorer)  and  Sea Princess (now Dream Charming) . The same name now carries the 2024-built Sun Princess .

In mid-September 2020, Princess Cruises sold Sun Princess. The company announced that the liner will leave the fleet in 2021 and will be renamed "Pacific World". The new shipowner will charter the vessel to Peace Boat. The 1983-founded, Japan-based global non-government organization (NGO) Peace Boat organizes educational cruises (floating university) as well as global events-themed conferences at sea. Also sold was Sea Princess whose shipowner now is Sanya International Cruise Development Company (China).

• A total of 23x Sun Princess cruises were canceled - departures on itineraries planned for the period December 28, 2020, through August 14, 2021. The ship was planned for deployment in Australia-New Zealand (January-March 2021) and Alaska (May-August 2021 / roundtrips from Vancouver BC Canada and Los Angeles California USA).
• The canceled voyages included roundtrips from Brisbane QLD (14-day New Zealand, 10-day Papua New Guinea, 4- day Australia Getaway, 10-day Tasmania), also repositioning cruises (15-day  Brisbane to Fremantle, 1 2-day Fremantle to Singapore, 12-day  Singapore to Yokohama, 2 8-day Singapore to Vancouver, 16-day  Yokohama to Vancouver, 4-day Vancouver to Los Angeles) and Alaskan roundtrips (7-day Inside Passage with Glacier Bay from Vancouver and 1 4-day Inside Passage with Hubbard Glacier from Los Angeles).

On October 5, 2020, the vessel left its anchorage off Bandar Penawar (Johor, Malaysia) en route to Port Klang (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia) and Manila (Philippines) . In December, the ship arrived in China. As of November 29, it was docked at Husuntou (Qushan Island) located north of Daishan Island (Daishan County, China's Zhejiang Province, Zhoushan Archipelago/prefecture-level city). On April 9, 2021, the boat arrived and anchored off Qushan Island, China.

Note: In mid-June 2020, Carnival Corporation (shipowner) announced that intends to sell 13 ships in FY2020 - instead of the previously expected global fleet optimization planned over the next 3-5 years. In mid-September, Carnival increased the number of its cruise ships for sale to 18 (some were scrapped ).

For Princess Cruises, the vessel (IMO number 9000259) was Bermuda- flagged (MMSI 310438000) and registered in Hamilton . Sun Princess was last drydock refurbished in 2018, and registered (in 1995) to Astramar SpA. Currently, the boat is Panama-flagged (MMSI 357189000).

History - construction and ownership

Princess Cruises is a US cruise company headquartered in Beverly Hills CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (founded 1977), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - world's largest passenger shipping company. Among Princess Cruises assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau .

When the 1950-passenger ship Sun Princess debuted in 1995, she was not only the Princess fleet's largest but also the industry's biggest-ever cruise vessel . Together with the other Sun-class ships which followed (Sea Princess, Dawn Princess and Ocean Princess) - the vessel was outfitted with innovative features and facilities, which created a revolutionary effect on the industry, and served as a precursor to Princess' later establishment of Grand-class ships. Despite the relaxed atmosphere, Sun Princess has been a bit bypassed by more recent Princess innovations. Personal Choice Dining is unveiled long after the liner was designed and so the concept of versatility is not as smoothly incorporated into the dining venue scenario. Standard rooms, while effectively appointed, might be a narrow fit for a couple, and the 400 verandas are less than abundant when compared to newer vessels in the fleet. 

Sun Princess underwent a USD 30 million drydock refit from April 5-18, 2016. The 14-day dry dock in Singapore added the new Princess Luxury Bed to cabins and Curtis Stone's Share restaurant. Kai Sushi was transformed into Kai Seafood Bar. Other additions include Amuleto Café, NZ Natural ice cream outlet and Legends sports bar, showing tennis, weekly AFL and NRL football matches on LED screens.

Peace Boat's cruise itineraries

For Princess Cruises, Sun Princess itinerary program was based on Australia and New Zealand voyages leaving from homeports Sydney NSW and Fremantle-Perth (Western Australia) .

For Sun Princess' last itineraries (planned for 2021 - all canceled) see the ship's Wiki section .

On August 24, 2023, Peace Boat's Pacific World started from Yokohama a 105-day around-the-world cruise itinerary visiting a total of 24 ports/destinations in the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe (Iceland, Baltic, Mediterranean), North Africa (Egypt), Asia. The route included transits of unique waterways like the Panama Canal , Egypt's Suez Canal and Canada's St Lawrence Seaway .

Decks and Cabins

Most Sun Princess staterooms (1011 total, in 27 categories) are 145-ft2 Insides cabins (396). Almost 80% of the ship's outside staterooms have private step-out balconies. There are a total of 19 wheelchair-accessible (ADA) staterooms designed for passengers with disabilities. The largest staterooms are the Balcony Suites (470 ft2).

The boat has 15 decks , of which 11 passenger-accessible and 7 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Sun Princess food options are generally good and guests have enough variety to be satisfied, without having to pay for speciality dining. Vegetarian selections are excellent, desserts - superb. A good selection of healthy items is provided every night. Waiters are friendly and helpful. The Regency Dining Room offers breakfast and lunch, but most passengers opt for the casual Horizon Court buffet or freshly baked pizzas at the Italian Verdi's pizzeria. The popular dining venue, Horizon Court, is open 24 hours a day. Horizon Court is situated one deck above ship's swimming area. The buffet is tiny by new-ship standards but offers excellent breakfast options from 4 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., along with an abundance of fruits and bread, and European specialities. Terrace Grill offers BBQ, hotdogs, salads and chips by the pool. 

Follows the complete list of Sun Princess restaurants and food bars.

• Marquis Restaurant (dinner only, aft Dining Room, with 2 fixed seatings - 5:30 and 7:45 pm)
• Regency Restaurant (aft Dining Room open for Breakfast 7:30 pm - 9:30 am., Lunch 12-noon - 1 pm, Afternoon Tea 3:30-4:30 pm, with 2 fixed Dinner seatings- at 5:45 pm or 7:45 pm)
• Kai Sushi restaurant (seafood speciality restaurant)
• Verdi's Italian Pizzeria (complimentary)
• Horizon Court (self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary)
• Sterling Steakhouse (speciality restaurant)
• Terrace Grill Bar (fast food bar, complimentary).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Both the Princess Theatre and Vista Lounge, two of the biggest and most popular Sun Princess entertainment venues, are located on the Promenade Deck. Guests can choose between early or late shows. On some nights, the productions run twice, allowing passengers to alternate between the shows, which include large-scale stage productions and cabaret numbers. The 'British Invasion' features the 1960s hits from UK bands like The Rolling Stones, The Who and The Beatles. The Princess is a steeply sloped palladium theatre featuring excellent sightlines and theatre seating with small stands for drinks. The intimate Vista Lounge has cabaret seats around small tables, lounges and chairs around the centre stage and a row of stools against the bar. The Vista hosts headlining shows, game shows, bingo, trivia quizzes and dancing sessions including ballroom dancing and line dancing.

Follows the complete list of Sun Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Grand Piazza Atrium (4-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
• International Cafe (24-hour patisserie/speciality coffee lobby bar; offers speciality coffees, desserts, pastries, wine, liquor)
• Atrium Boutiques (Latitudes Shop)
• Art Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Platinum Studio
• Internet Cafe (24-hour), Card Room
• Princess Sun Theatre (musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
• Vista Lounge (entertainment lounge; comedians, illusionists, singers).
• Shooting Stars Disco & Nightclub
• Princess Sea Monte Carlo Casino
• Atrium Lounge; Vista Lounge & Bar
• Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
• Rendez-Vous Bar (wine bar); Sundaes Bar; Sundowners Bar (poolside)
• Sun’s Oasis Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
• Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playing areas
• The Sanctuary (adults-only sundeck / open-air area); Riviera Pool area
• Sports Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Shuffleboard, Golf Net; Princess Links (mini-golf course).

Pacific World - user reviews and comments

Photos of pacific world.

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Pacific World Wiki

The Fincantieri Monfalcone -built Sun Princess ship was christened by godmother Lady Dorothy Sterling - wife of Lord Jeffrey Sterling (Chairman of P&O Cruises ). Sun was the company's oldest vessels (Sun-class) with sisterships Dawn (now Pacific Explorer) and Sea (now Dream Charming) .

Fun fact is that this liner was featured in the TV series "The Love Boat: The Next Wave" (with Robert Urich in the main role). Another fun fact is that the ship was reported in October 2007 to be the largest vessel passing under Sydney Harbour Bridge ( Port Sydney, NSW Australia ). At low tide, the vessel entered Sydney Harbour with about 2,5 m (8,2 ft) distance between its highest point and the arch bridge.

During Tokyo Olympics 2020, for 19 days the liner was scheduled to be chartered by JTB (travel agency) as hotel ship docked at Port Yokohama (Yamashita Pier), with a night on the "cruise ship hotel" between USD 300-3500 per person.

In September 2020, Sun Princess was sold by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). During its Princess Cruises service, the vessel (IMO number 9000259) was Bermuda- flagged (MMSI number 310438000) and registered in Hamilton .

Sun Princess refurbishment 2018 review

The ship's 2018 drydock in  Singapore  (July 12-26) was part of Princess Cruises USD 450 million fleet renovation Following the refurbishment, to the liner was introduced the following changes:

• new hull livery design
• Club Class Mini-Suites (new premium cabin category with VIP amenities and exclusive dining. 
• Camp Discovery Youth Center (children club lounges for kids ages 3-17) via a partnership with Discovery Channel.
• Enhanced Boutiques - ship's shopping arcade now offers upgraded retail shops, including the premium brand Effy Fine Jewelry, new logoed products (Princess Cruises branded wear and logo apparel in the re-designed Logo shop), designer handbags and fashion accessories from Burberry, Coach, Guess, Longchamp.

Sun Princess refurbishment 2016 review

The ship's 14-day refurbishment in 2016 (April 5-18, in Singapore) resulted in the following deckplan changes: 

• “Princess Luxury Bed” systems were added to all passenger cabins.
• On deck 7, Kai Sushi was redesigned and renamed Kai Seafood Bar.
• On deck 8, a new restaurant (SHARE by Curtis Stone) was added replacing the pizzeria restaurant Sabatini’s. Also on deck 8, the Legends Bar (sports bar) programming was upgraded, now showing live tennis, AFL and NRL matches and other AU sports on its multiple LED screens.
• On deck 12, New Zealand Natural (speciality ice cream bar) replaced the Sundaes Bar. Also on deck 12, the Lotus Spa complex was renovated.
• On Lido Deck 14, the Amuleto Cafe (patisserie /speciality coffee bar) was added to the World Fresh Marketplace (formerly Horizon Court buffet). The buffet restaurant was also revamped with new decor and a la carte cooking stations. Also on deck 14, Terrace Grill bar was transformed into an alfresco BBQ restaurant.

The interior decor and furnishings were changed (new Japan themes).

The ship’s 2016 refurbishment project cost Princes Cruises around USD 30 million.

Sun Princess refurbishment 2013 review

The list of  deckplan changes after ship's 2013 drydock refurbishment (Singapore) included:

• new Asian themed interior decor
• International Cafe (in the Atrium)
• new Sushi bar
• “Horizon Court” buffet (renovation, live cooking presentations, new pastry shop and a speciality coffee bar)
• “Lotus Spa” (renovation)
• “Terrace Grill” (al fresco menu)
• Ice Cream Bar (deck 12) also sells speciality coffees and teas.

Sun Princess itineraries 2021 (CANCELED)

Next are listed some of the cruise ship's itineraries scheduled for 2021 but cancelled as the vessel changed ownership and left the Princess Cruises fleet . Prices listed are in USD per person (double-occupancy Inside cabin rates).

( first departure following the COVID-related suspension) 14-day "New Zealand" (($1820)

4-day "Australia Getaway ($310)

10-day "Tasmania" ($950)

15-day repositioning from Brisbane to Fremantle ($1500)

12-day repositioning from Fremantle to Singapore ($1160)

12-day repositioning from Singapore to Yokohama ($1370)

28-day Transpacific repositioning from Singapore to Vancouver ($2690)

7-day Alaska "Inside Passage with Glacier Bay National Park" from Vancouver ($690)

4-day repositioning from Vancouver to Los Angeles ($260)

14-day Alaska "Inside Passage with Hubbard Glacier" from Los Angeles ($1600)

Sun Princess' last voyage for Princess Cruises was planned as a 14-day roundtrip from Los Angeles to Alaska ("Inside Passage with Hubbard Glacier") priced from $1640 pp.

P&O Cruises to retire its brand in Australia, fold operations into Carnival Cruise Line

P&O Cruises Australia has announced its fleet will soon be sailing to its final berth, ceasing its operations in 2025 after more than 90 years on the water.

The Australian travel brand will fold its operations into parent company Carnival Cruise Line from March 2025.

P&O's Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure ships and workforce will be rebranded and transferred to the Carnival Cruise Line fleet, while the Pacific Explorer, previously known as the Dawn Princess, will be retired.

Passengers set to cruise in 2024 will not be affected, while customers who had cruises booked on the Pacific Explorer after March 2, 2025 will have the option of a refund or credit for Carnival with extra onboard spending money.

It is the end of an era for the popular brand, which first sailed from Sydney on December 23, 1932, on a seven-day itinerary calling at Brisbane and Norfolk Island.

The company's first permanent ship in Australia, the Fairstar — heavily promoted as "the fun ship" — was part of the fleet for nine years until 1997.

P&O Cruises Australia issued its surprise notice to customers on Tuesday.

"As a result, all itineraries on Pacific Explorer scheduled to sail after 2nd March 2025 are being cancelled," it said.

"If you are booked on one of these itineraries you will be contacted by guest services in the coming days with refund details.

"We are all immensely proud of P&O Cruises Australia's 90-year heritage of dedicated operations in the region, and Carnival Cruise Line are honoured to carry forward its storied legacy and continue to deliver the same onboard experiences and itineraries."

Crews on the Pacific Explorer were expected to be redeployed to other ships, but a small number of workers in the P&O Australia head office would lose their jobs, a spokeswoman said.

Acting P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Australia lead Peter Little will be retained under the new title of country manager.

Carnival Cruise chief executive Josh Weinstein hailed P&O Cruises as a storied brand with an amazing team and lauded its accomplishments in Australia and the broader region.

"However, given the strategic reality of the South Pacific's small population and significantly higher operating and regulatory costs, we're adjusting our approach," he said.

The Carnival brand will see its fleet boosted by eight ships after also acquiring vessels from sister line Costa Cruises and ordering new ships to come into operation in 2027 and 2028.

Under the changes, Carnival will continue to be the largest cruise operator in the region with 19 ships, representing almost 60 per cent of the market.

The P&O ships will have technology upgrades, including an ordering app and loyalty program, but will retain the "familiar feel and much of the same experiences" for Australian guests, Carnival Cruise Line president Christine Duffy said.

Who owns P&O Cruises?

P&O Cruises is owned by Carnival Corporation & plc. 

Carnival Corporation & plc owns a number of different brands including Carnival Cruise Line and Princess Cruises.

What does P&O stand for?

The initials P and O stand for "Peninsular and Oriental", an abbreviation of The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company.

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