P&O Cruises' newly acquired ship will feature waterslides, restaurants, bars and much more
By
Rebecca Gibson |
P&O Cruises Australia is preparing to welcome Pacific Explorer to its fleet in June 2017, following a multi-million dollar project to convert her from Princess Cruises’ Dawn Princess in Singapore.
During her 12-day drydock, Pacific Explorer will be fitted with the two longest waterslides on an Australian-based ship (80 metres each) – one with LED lights and sound effects, and the other with twists and turns. The vessel will also feature P&O’s first waterpark at sea, a shaded area with a dumping bucket and oversized water toys for younger guests, and a barefoot lawn bowling green. The line’s other top-deck favourites, P&OEdge Adventure Park and the Big Screen, will also be installed on the ship.
Inside, all public spaces will be transformed with modern Australian décor and quirky features that have become a trademark of the P&O fleet in recent years.
Pacific Explorer will have a poolside Lobster & Burger bar; the Waterfront restaurant; Italian eatery Angelo’s; Asian dining venue Dragon Lady; new supper club venue The Black Circus, which offers food and cabaret-style entertainment; and P&O’s international food market place, The Pantry. The latter will be extended to include a ninth outlet, Nic and Toni's, serving Mediterranean cuisine.
In addition, Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan has developed poolside grill Luke’s, while award-winning Melbourne chef Johnny Di Francesco has helped to design a traditional Neapolitan pizzeria called 400 Gradi.
A new small bar, The Bonded Store, will offer a cocktail menu created in partnership with Sydney-based award-winning Archie Rose Distilling Co, and will also host whisky and gin-making classes.
“Pacific Explorer is the next stage in the evolution of P&O, building on our very popular modern Australian holiday offering with some exciting new features,” said Sture Myrmell, P&O Cruises’ president. “We can't wait to show her off to our guests.”
Pacific Explorer will set sail from Singapore on 9 June and join P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden. The vessel will sail her first cruise from Sydney on 22 June 2017.