Tag Archives: President Sture Myrmell

P&O Passengers Chant Glory, Glory To South Sydney

Posted: May 25, 2022

Australia, Onboard Features, Press Release, , , , ,

In preparation for P&O Cruises Australia first ship in Cairns, the cruise line has announced it will get behind the city’s honorary footy team – the South Sydney Rabbitohs – during their annual home game against the North Queensland Cowboys at Barlow Park in Cairns on Sunday July 3 as the official game day sponsor.

Supporters will be entertained with a cruisey half-time spectacle which will include the chance to win a holiday at sea with P&O.

This is the first time P&O Cruises Australia has sponsored a league fixture and further develops P&O’s partnership with the NRL. P&O was the initial cruise line to telecast live games at sea and this year offered cruises to the NRL Auckland Nines and the State of Origin.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the cruise line was looking forward to its game day sponsorship.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “Just as the Rabbitohs have embraced their tropical home, we’re thrilled to be getting involved with the Cairns community before our first local cruise season kicks off in September,” Mr Myrmell said.   [/pullquote]

Rabbitohs CEO Blake Solly said the team was looking forward to heading to Cairns for the round 17 fixture against the Cowboys.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “As a Club we look forward to heading north to Cairns each season and we want to thank P&O for coming on board with us to make this game day that much more special,” Mr Solly said.   [/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “We always enjoy great support in Cairns, and I’m sure the Cowboys will have a lot of supporters in Far North Queensland as well, so it’s shaping as a wonderful game day experience. With P&O jumping on board for this game, we can partner with them to provide our members and supporters with a fantastic prize as part of our half time entertainment, and we can highlight the fact that P&O will be offering from Cairns.”   [/pullquote]

Pacific Eden will offer nine cruises from Cairns between September and December to destinations including Papua New Guinea, the Pacific Islands and the Whitsundays. Her inaugural Cairns season will inject more than $8 million into the local economy in passenger and crew spending, supplies and port charges. Pacific Eden will return to Cairns in 2017, offering a further 10 cruises.

Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria take local cruising to the next level with a magnificent design which echoes the modern style of contemporary Australia, while taking in the tranquil and at times cheeky spirit Australians are known for.

World Heritage-listed the Great Sandy Strait Fraser Island Welcomes P&O Cruises

Posted: April 14, 2022

Australia, Press Release, , , , , ,

After several years of fastidious development, P&O Cruises’ Pacific Aria navigated her way through the Great Sandy Strait, opening up the World Heritage-listed destination to cruise tourism.

The 55,820-tonne Pacific Aria entered the tidal strait to the west of Fraser Island, gently cruising through the Great Sandy Strait – a series of protected bays and sand flats – before dropping anchor off the island’s Kingfisher Bay Resort.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the cruise line had wanted to visit Fraser Island for some time, but had only been able to introduce cruises to the world’s largest sand island following the addition of two mid-sized ships – Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden – to its fleet late last year.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “Pacific Aria’s historic visit has been a feat of modern navigation. Our team worked closely with local authorities including Maritime Safety Queensland, the Gladstone Regional Harbour Master and the Australian Hydrographic Service to update shipping charts in the strait and carefully plan cruise calls around high tides,” Mr Myrmell said.   [/pullquote]

P&O also enlisted former harbour master Captain Mike Lutze, the solitary skilled Fraser Island pilot, for the maiden call and will remain working with him to train Australian Reef Pilots to safeguard the sustainability of forthcoming cruise visits to the island.

The maiden Fraser Island call was part of a four-night roundtrip cruise which departed Brisbane on April 1. Pacific Eden will make the next Fraser Island call on December 12 as part of a four-night roundtrip cruise from Sydney departing on December 10, 2016.

A additional five Fraser Island calls are scheduled for 2017.

Mr Myrmell said Fraser Island was one of 15 regional destinations added to P&O itineraries in recent years as a result of the cruise line’s fleet expansion and the increase in short break cruises.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “As P&O expands, we’re thrilled to be leading the way in introducing more of Australia to cruising, especially Fraser Island, which boasts some of the world’s most magnificent scenery, wildlife and visitor experiences. It’s a very exciting time for cruise tourism in Australia with passenger numbers continuing to surge and it’s great to be able to share the economic benefits of this growth with communities around the nation,” Mr Myrmell said.   [/pullquote]

P&O Cruises Australia partnered with the island’s Kingfisher Bay Resort to offer its guests the ultimate Fraser Island experience. P&O Cruises guests will also have the opportunity to revel in the resort’s services, guests can participate in a range of events including bush tucker tasting, a visit to the Central Station rainforest and crystal clear Lake McKenzie, mangrove walking tours and beach Segway rides.

Queensland is home to more cruise destinations than any other state in Australia, with P&O ships sailing to 10 ports within the State. In recent years P&O has unlocked new Queensland ports including Mooloolaba and Moreton Island, followed by Gladstone last month and now Fraser Island.

According to industry figures, Queensland is the second biggest source market for Australian cruisers with nearly 240,000 Queenslanders cruising in 2014, an increase of 21 per cent on the previous year.

Photo Credit: Mark Fitz Photography 

P&O Makes Marks the Start of 17 Maiden Calls in 2016

Posted: February 23, 2022

Australia, Countries, Onboard Features, Press Release, , , , , , , ,

P&O Cruises is maintaining its reputation as a cruise pioneer in local waters, making its maiden call to the remote town of Wewak in Papua New Guinea today – the first of 17 inaugural calls to an array of new ports this year following the expansion of the cruise line’s fleet.

P&O Cruises Pacific Aria has made history and sustaining P&O Cruises Australia’s reputation as a cruise forerunner in local waters.  Pacific Aria cruised into the colourful capital of the East Sepik province, located on the famous Sepik River town - Wawak in Papua New Guinea marking the first of 17 inaugural calls to an collection of new ports this year.

East Sepik province

East Sepik province

Photo Credit: carelesswhistler.com

The maiden calls continue P&O’s longstanding journey of discovery in Australia and the Pacific, which has seen the cruise line drive the growth of the local cruise industry by adding an array of exciting and exotic destinations to the cruise map.  In recent years, close to a dozen new Australian ports have been introduced to P&O’s itineraries, delivering substantial benefits to regional communities around the country.

P&O continues to drive the advancement of the local cruise industry by bringing cruiselings to new exhilarating and outlandish destinations in Australia and the Pacific.

Pacific Pearl will make P&O’s first call to the secluded Stewart Island at the nethermost part of New Zealand’s South Island.

Stewart-Island-New-Zealand

Stewart Island

Photo Credit: blacktomato.com

Pacific Dawn will become the first cruise ship to visit the port of Gladstone

Following Pacific Dawn, Pacific Aria will sail to the World Heritage-listed Fraser Island, being the first P&O ship sailing the world’s largest sand island located off the southern Queensland coast.

World Heritage-listed Fraser Island

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the continued expansion of P&O’s fleet had opened up new horizons for the cruise line.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “We have been pioneering cruising in the Pacific for more than 80 years and we are still discovering fantastic cruise destinations for our guests,” Mr Myrmell said.   [/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “The addition of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden to our fleet late last year and our continued expansion with Pacific Explorer in 2017 and our new build in 2019, has made it possible to extend our itinerary offering like never before and build a wide range of new destinations into our schedules.   [/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “In some cases these are not just maiden visits for P&O, they are the first visits by any cruise line, so it’s a very exciting time for us and a great honour to be welcomed so enthusiastically by local communities.”   [/pullquote]

In June, Pacific Jewel will be the first cruise ship to call at one of the most remote island groups in the world – the privately-owned The Conflict Islands owned by British-based Australian, Ian Gowrie-Smith and his family. Located in the pristine waters of The Coral Sea, the Conflict Islands comprise of 21untouched islands and boast the most extensive biodiversity and coral reefs in the world

Pacific Eden will make a series of maiden calls across Asia and the Pacific between May and October as part of its inaugural Singapore and Cairns seasons.

The boutique size of Pacific Eden makes it the perfect cruise ship to cruise to the smaller locations, Pacific Eden will become the first cruise ship to ever visit Ko Chang in Thailand and Gizo Island in the Solomon Islands.

 

Ko Chang in Thailand

Gizo Island in the Solomon Islands

Other maiden calls for P&O on Pacific Eden’s itineraries include Sabang, Ujung Pandang, Jakarta and the fascinating volcano port of Probolinggo in Indonesia; Langkawi in Malaysia; Phuket, Krabi and Koh Samui in Thailand; Cambodia’s Sihanoukville and Honiara in the Solomon Islands.

P&O Australia’s Maiden Calls – 2016  

  1. Monday February 22 – Pacific Aria – Wewak, PNG*
  2. Sunday March 6 – Pacific Pearl – Stewart Island, New Zealand
  3. Thursday March 10 – Pacific Dawn – Gladstone, Queensland*
  4. Sunday April 3 – Pacific Aria – Fraser Island, Queensland
  5. Saturday May 7 – Pacific Eden – Ujung Pandang, Indonesia
  6. Monday May 9 – Pacific Eden – Probolinggo, Indonesia
  7. Tuesday June 21 – Pacific Jewel – Conflict Islands, PNG*
  8. Thursday July 28 – Pacific Eden – Jakarta, Indonesia
  9. Monday August 1 – Pacific Eden – Langkawi, Malaysia
  10. Tuesday August 2 – Pacific Eden – Krabi, Thailand
  11. Wednesday August 3 – Pacific Eden – Phuket, Thailand
  12. Thursday August 4 – Pacific Eden – Sabang, Indonesia
  13. Monday August 8 – Pacific Eden – Sihanoukville, Cambodia
  14. Tuesday August 9 – Pacific Eden – Ko Chang, Thailand*
  15. Thursday August 11 – Pacific Eden – Koh Samui, Thailand
  16. Friday September 30 – Pacific Eden – Gizo Island, Solomon Islands*
  17. Saturday October 1 – Pacific Eden – Honiara, Solomon Islands

*first ever ocean cruise ship call to destination

Title Photo Credit: http://www.bestofpng.com 

Oh Ship! There’s a Lego® ship in the city and Sea for Australia Day

Posted: January 21, 2023

Australia, Press Release, , , , , , , ,

Sydneysiders will be have the chance to build a giant LEGO® ship in the city next week

The cruise line has joined forces with the Museum of Sydney to invite LEGO fans to help LEGO certified professional Ryan McNaught as he builds a model of P&O’s Pacific Eden in the forecourt of the museum between 9am and 3pm on January 26.

As part of its stunning Sydney Harbour Icons with LEGO® Bricks exhibition. P&O Cruises Australia together with the Museum of Sydney invited LEGO enthusiasts to help LEGO expert Ryan McNaught as he forms a model of P&O’s Pacific Eden Joining her sister ship Pacific Eden in the court of the museum, alongside Pacific Pearl and Pacific Jewel, with more than 6500 guests onboard to enjoy the day of celebrations.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the cruise line was pleased to be once again sponsoring Australia Day activities and positioning its ships on Sydney Harbour, while also working with LEGO in such a special way on the day.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “As part of our partnership with LEGO, the kids’ clubs on all our ships feature a range of fantastic LEGO activities which our guests love, so it’s very exciting to be able to bring the action to land for Australia Day with this special chance to make an amazing ship model with Ryan,” Mr Myrmell said.   [/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “We’re also delighted that P&O’s Pacific Aria is part of the Sydney Harbour Icons with LEGO Bricks exhibition at the Museum of Sydney.  Sydney remains one of the most popular destinations in the world for cruise ships and it’s great to see cruising recognised as part of the action and beauty of our harbour in this stunning exhibition.”   [/pullquote]

The Sydney Harbour Icons with LEGO® Bricks exhibition is on display at the Museum of Sydney until July 31, 2016.  For more information visit http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/museum-of-sydney

P&O Cruises Breaks Records At The Start of 2016

Posted: January 18, 2023

Australia, Press Release, , ,

Australia’s passion and obsession with cruising has bolstered bookings for P&O Cruises’ holidays, with the cruise like rejoicing over an awesome start to 2016, with the first week of January demonstrating to be the highest booking week in history – up 84% compared to the same time last year

Moreover, Thursday January 7 was P&O’s largest booking day ever, with travellers taking advantage of the cruise line’s latest 24-hour sale.

P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the cruise line’s latest ships, Pacific Eden and Pacific Aria, were in hot demand, with past guests and new cruisers all eager to get onboard and experience the new look and feel of P&O’s product.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “We’ve been selling our expanded five-ship fleet for more than 12 months, but the bookings for Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden are really pouring in now that the ships are here and people can see for themselves how impressive they are,” Mr Mrymell said.   [/pullquote]

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””] “In 2016, P&O will welcome more than 420,000 passengers onboard our five ships – reinforcing our position as Australia’s leading home cruise brand. Our 2016 inventory is filling up fast, so travellers should move quickly if they want to cruise this year.” [/pullquote]

Mr Myrmell said the cruise line had plenty more excitement in store for its agent partners and guests.

[pullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]“We can’t wait to take the next steps in the evolution of our brand with the addition of Pacific Explorer next year and our brand new ship in 2019, as well as the debut of a raft of new ports and itineraries.  There’s going to be lots of great cruise news to share over the coming months.”[/pullquote]