P&O Cruises has pulled the Pacific Aria from homeporting in Cairns next year.
The all-Australian cruise brand told the Cairns Post that it was originally replacing the Pacific Eden with Pacific Aria after the line sold the Eden to Cruise & Maritime Voyages.

​Carnival Australian president Sture Myrmell told the Cairns post that while people may be disappointed, there are two larger ships on the horizon.

“There might be some initial disappointment about Pacific Aria’s homeporting in 2019 but the overall picture for Cairns is very positive knowing that our commitment to the region is as strong as ever,” Mr Myrmell said.

He also said that the Pacific Aria is needed elsewhere for the cruise season. P&O have created a new itinerary to Papua New Guinea which sales from Sydney and calls at the group of islands.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the new program offered an exciting selection of unique longer cruises to Asia and Papua New Guinea combined with the extremely popular shorter getaways, themed cruises and voyages to the South Pacific Islands enjoyed by guests all year round.

Conflict Islands, Papua New Guinea
P&O will take guests to Papua New Guinea’s Conflict Islands

“In our latest program we continue to offer cruises from more Australian home ports than any other cruise line in the market with round trip itineraries from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Auckland,” said Mr Myrmell.

“During this season we have scheduled dry docks for Pacific Explorer and Pacific Dawn in Singapore which has provided an opportunity to offer a choice of new cruises of 13-nights or more to the Far East.

“The Conflict Islands continue to prove extremely popular two years on from our first voyage and we’re pleased to offer this stunning corner of the world up to guests with a new itinerary from Sydney.

“Each year we aim to provide unique shore experiences at the destinations we visit. From traditional cooking classes in Alotau, the capital of Papua New Guinea’s Milne Bay Province to discovering the ancient volcano in Rabaul on Papua New Guinea’s north-eastern tip – there is something for everyone to enjoy in Papua New Guinea,” he said.