P&O Cruises Australia announced that a 2nd Grand Class ship will join the fleet while bidding farewell to one of line's “jewels” as part of the commitment to refresh the P&O fleet over time.
Carrying over 3,100 passengers, Star Princess will join sistership Golden Princess in the fleet of P&O Australia from the end of 2021. Star Princess is due to replace the smaller Pacific Jewel, which is leaving P&O in March 2019.
In September 2017, P&O Cruises revealed its plan to refresh the fleet over time, continuing to evolve passenger experience and competing effectively in the current environment.
President of P&O Cruises and Carnival Australia, Sture Myrmell, said that P&O Cruises would continue to base cruise ships year-round in line's key homeports of Brisbane and Sydney, as well as offering seasonal itineraries from New Zealand and other Australian states.
The transformed Golden Princess joins P&O Cruises in October 2020 while sister ship Star Princess joins P&O at the end of 2021.
The final cruise of Pacific Jewel departs from Melbourne on February 24, 2019 prior to being transferred to a new operator after her sale.