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Asia Pacific
Australia’s First Superliner
Australia will soon have its own superliner, with the 70,000 ton Regal Princess set to join P&O Cruises’ fleet under a restructure announced by the company today.
Designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, the elegant Regal Princess will be the largest and most modern ship based in Australia when she is deployed to local waters from the US-based Princess Cruises’ fleet in spring 2007.
Announcing the move, P&O Cruises Managing Director Gavin Smith said Regal Princess would replace Pacific Sky, which had been sold to Pullmantur Cruises, a Spanish cruise operator.
Under the conditions of sale, Pacific Sky will leave P&O Cruises’ fleet on May 6, 2006.
“Unfortunately this will necessitate the cancellation of some of our Asian cruise season and we apologise unreservedly to all passengers affected,” Mr Smith said. “We will be giving them a full refund on any monies paid, as well as a 15 per cent future cruise credit on any P&O Cruises Australia voyage booked by December 31, 2006.”
Mr Smith said Pacific Sky had earned the title of Australia’s most popular cruise ship, carrying more than 250,000 passengers since she arrived in Australia in November 2000.
“Interest in Pacific Sky from potential buyers opened the way for us to replace her with Regal Princess, which is well suited to the Australia/New Zealand market.”
Mr Smith described Regal Princess as a superb addition to P&O Cruises’ fleet, which would offer Australians an exciting new cruise option.
Regal Princess will be tailored to the Australian market before her deployment in late 2007 to join P&O Cruises’ two other ships, the 1900-passenger Pacific Sun and the 1400-passenger Pacific Star, he said.
The ship features 795 cabins, including 184 balcony staterooms, and is known for its distinctive appearance. Designed by Renzo Piano – whose architectural feats range from the Pompidou Centre in Paris to the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Centre in Nouméa and the award-winning Aurora Place in Sydney – Regal Princess has a unique dolphin-like prow and a distinctive domed observation lounge that curves around the ship’s front.
Mr Smith said Regal Princess’ cruise program was expected to go on sale in spring 2006.
Regal Princess has visited Australia many times as part of Princess Cruises’ popular Exotics program of Asian and South Pacific cruising.
Graham Muldoon
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