On 26 January all three of P&O Cruises Australia’s cruise ships were together in Sydney Harbour, for the first time, as part of the regular Australia Day celebrations. The three ships, Pacific Pearl, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Dawn, were the last to be ordered by Sitmar Line before the sale of that business to P&O Steam Navigation Co in 1988.
None operated for Sitmar, as the first of these ships, Sitmar Fairmajesty, entered service for Princess Cruises as Star Princess and the other pair were delivered as Crown Princess and Regal Princess. It is, therefore, entirely possible that this is the first time that these three ships have been together in the same port. It will not, however, be the last, as plans are already in place for a meeting of the entire fleet of what will then be five ships, to celebrate Australia Day in 2016.
Both Pacific Pearl and Pacific Jewel were on three-night cruises to nowhere from Sydney, while Pacific Dawn was on a cruise from Brisbane. P&O Cruises is making several inaugural calls at Australian ports this year.
