P&O Cruises Australia has introduced its two latest ships, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, expanding Australia’s largest year-round fleet to five cruise ships.

With the addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, P&O Cruises Australia now has five ships cruising year-round from eight homeports in Australia, New Zealand and Singapore.

During the celebration to welcome its two latest ships, Australia’s leading cruise line made history by staging two first-ever events: a five-ship spectacular in the world-renowned Sydney Harbour and a social media naming ceremony.

Ann Sherry, chief executive of Carnival Australia, which operates P&O Cruises Australia, said the event marked a new era for P&O, Australia’s only home grown cruise line, which has grown its fleet in response to increasing demand for cruise vacations.

“P&O Cruises has been sailing from Australia for more than 80 years, so we are thrilled to be able to celebrate the expansion of our fleet with so many Sydneysiders,” said Sherry.

“The addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden represents a 50 per cent expansion in our guest capacity and heralds a new look and feel for our cruise line that is inspired by modern Australia.”

With Australian cruise passenger numbers having grown by an average of 20 per cent a year over the past decade to break through the one million mark in 2014, P&O Cruises Australia is well positioned to continue meeting Australians’ surging demand for cruise vacations.

The addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden has paved the way for exciting new cruise options including deployments from every mainland state in Australia, an extended deployment from Auckland and a season of cruising from Singapore. 

In a nod to maritime tradition, a bottle of Champagne was smashed on the bow of each ship as they sailed by Fort Denison, with all five ships sounding their whistles to mark Australia’s first dual cruise ship christening.

Thousands of Sydneysiders watched the cruise ship spectacular from the shore, while more than 12,000 guests and crew on-board the five ships joined in the celebrations.

The five ships are to remain on Sydney Harbour all day, with guests on-board enjoying a series of live concerts from more than 25 music acts, including performances by leading local performers Jessica Mauboy, The Veronicas, Justice Crew, Samantha Jade and Stan Walker.

The celebration will conclude with a special fireworks display above the harbour.

Designed to be game changers for the Australian cruise industry, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden offer a relaxed vibe in a contemporary and stylish setting.