P&O Cruises welcomes more families

P&O Cruises has reported an increase in the number of families choosing a cruise holiday, with multi-generational family groups becoming increasingly common onboard its ships.

Family groups now represent about one-third of P&O Cruises’ growing customer base, compared to 25 per cent three years ago, according to the cruise line.

Ann Sherry, CEO of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises in Australia, attributes the trend to the increasing desire to find a holiday which suits everyone.

“We are seeing more and more extended families including everyone from grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins cruising together,” Ms Sherry said.

Ms Sherry said P&O Cruises last year carried one of its largest family groups – the 57-member Dunne clan.

Ranging in age from three to 73 years old, the family booked 16 cabins onboard Pacific Star for a tropical north Queensland cruise from Brisbane last September.

Group organiser Joan Dunne from Melbourne said she came up with the idea of taking the family on a cruise because she wanted to celebrate the arrival of the family’s descendants to Australia on a P&O Cruises’ ship 50 years ago.

“My parents and their eight children arrived from Ireland on the Orion in July 1957 and I thought it would be a wonderful way to celebrate the anniversary by taking a P&O Cruises voyage,” Joan said.

“It was the best holiday – everyone was entertained in every way and there was something for all ages. The entire trip went like clockwork, all our meals were delicious, the entertainment was wonderful, the weather was fantastic and the ports were lovely.”

Joan listed her favourite onboard activities including bingo, horse racing, cabaret performances and stage shows at night.

Due to the overwhelming success of the trip, Joan said she was already planning another family cruise for 2009.

P&O Cruises’ family deals for 2008 include:

A seven-night tropical north Queensland discovery cruise on Pacific Sun departing Brisbane on September 27, 2008, visiting the Whitsundays, Cairns and Port Douglas. Fares start at $920 per person based on quad share*. 

A ten-night Tropical Fusion cruise on Pacific Dawn, departing Sydney on May 2, 2008, visiting New Caledonia and Vanuatu. Fares start at $1195 per person based on an oceanview quad share cabin*.

* Fares are subject to availability. Conditions apply.

For more information on Pacific Dawn and Pacific Sun voyages, contact P&O Cruises on 13 24 69 or visit http://www.pocruises.com.au/

A Report by The Mole