Carnival Cruise takes over P&O operations

February 27, 2025 9:59 pm | Posted in Business News | Share now TwitterFacebook

By Doddy Morris.

A ceremony was held yesterday to mark the official transition of P&O Cruises to Carnival Cruise Line in the Pacific, with a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between Carnival Cruise Line and the Vanuatu Department of Tourism.

It is said that the P&O Pacific Adventure and Pacific Encounter ships will be rebranded as Carnival Adventure and Carnival Encounter. Carnival has committed to continuing P&O’s legacy and contributions, maintaining its work under a new name.

Senior Director of Destination for Carnival PLC & Corporation, Michael Mihajlov, emphasized the importance of Port Vila as a cruise destination.

“Port Vila is a very important destination in the Pacific for us. The fact that there is a berth is critically important to our ships,” he said.

“However, the inability to access the berth by road is a major barrier to our return. We want to resume visits as soon as possible, but we must ensure that the town and community are ready for us.

“We have to be realistic—our ships bring large numbers of people, and we need to know that the town can handle the pressure. We are ready to return as soon as it is practical and as soon as we are welcomed.

“In the meantime, the Department of Tourism has directly requested that we divert ships to other Vanuatu ports whenever possible. We are pleased to announce that we have already diverted one ship to Santo in January, with another call scheduled for March, and a third likely in May.”

He added that geography presents challenges for their operations, as Santo is far to the north, requiring ships to travel from Brisbane and Sydney at high speeds, consuming significant fuel, and increasing risks such as engine failures.

“We will also be diverting some calls to Mystery Island, which has a geographic advantage because it is in the south of the country, unlike Port Vila and Santo,” he said.

Chief Strategy and External Affairs Officer for Carnival PLC & Corporation, Theresa Lloyd,  reaffirmed the company’s commitment to Vanuatu.

“We are assessing our trips to Port Vila on a fortnightly basis and are working closely with the Australian Government to facilitate our return as soon as possible,” Lloyd said.

She also announced that Carnival Cruise Line will continue the Pacific Partnership program initiated by P&O. This includes ongoing support for the Vanuatu women’s beach volleyball team, ProMedical’s lifesaving services, and new initiatives such as Paradise Swim School, which provides water safety training for children.

Prime Minister  (PM) Jotham Napat highlighted the importance of Australia as Vanuatu’s largest tourism market, both for air visitors and cruise arrivals.

He described the MOU between the Vanuatu Tourism Office and Carnival Cruise Line as a key step toward enhancing visitor experiences and ensuring fairness in cruise tourism operations.

“It is both an honor and a privilege to be here today to celebrate the transition of P&O Cruises to Carnival Cruise Line in Australia and the South Pacific. Today marks a significant milestone as we strengthen the ties between Australia and Vanuatu and enhance our partnership in the vital sector of cruise tourism,” he said.

“Australia remains our largest tourism source market for both air visitors and cruise arrivals. Our discussions focus on opportunities to not only bolster our tourism industry but also ensure our visitors have enriching and satisfying experiences.

“The signing of the MOU between the Vanuatu Tourism Office and Carnival Cruise Line underscores our commitment to enhancing visitor satisfaction in cruise tourism. This agreement reflects our dedication to providing unforgettable experiences for our guests,” Prime Minister Napat said.

He also noted that last year, Vanuatu approached the Australian Government in Canberra to review the Round Cruise Trip Policy, aiming to encourage more overnight cruise calls in Vanuatu.

“We remain hopeful for a positive response, as this would significantly enhance our engagement in the cruise industry.

“Cruise tourism is not merely an industry for us; it is a cornerstone of our economic development and cultural exchange. Together, we take another step toward ensuring that Vanuatu remains a premier tourism destination while uplifting the lives of our communities,” he added.