Pacific Adventure

Launched in 2001 (as "Golden Princess"), Pacific Adventure cruise ship was the 2nd Grand-class vessel in the Princess Cruises fleet, with sisterships Crown Princess, Diamond Princess, Caribbean Princess,Grand Princess, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess, Star Princess and Sapphire Princess.

In 2020, Golden Princess will be transferred to P&O Australia's fleet and renamed "Pacific Adventure" after a scheduled drydock refurbishment. In November 2021, Star Princess (as Pacific Encounter) joins Pacific Adventure in P&O Australia's fleet, replacing there the smaller Pacific Jewel (MS Karnika since March 2019).

IMPORTANT: CruiseMapper's Golden Princess cruise schedule also lists all Pacific Adventure cruises planned by P&O Australia.

History - construction and ownership

P&O Cruises is a subsidiary company and two brands owned by Carnival Corporation - P&O UK and P&O Australia. In 2000, P&O Cruises became subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises, which merged with Carnival Corporation in 2003. PandO is the world's oldest cruise company, starting passenger shipping operations in 1822 on the routes connecting England with Iberia.

Ship's hull is adorned with the P&O AU's new livery - the Southern Cross (national symbol of Australia and New Zealand, also incorporated in their country flags).

Cruise itinerary program

In late-October 2018, P&O Australia announced the inaugural cruise season of Pacific Adventure. The itinerary program 2020 features voyages of 13-nights and longer. Winter 2020 program has 132 departures (including 57x Short Breaks of 2-3-4-nights) departing from homeports Auckland, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney NSW.

On longer itineraries, PandO passengers can participate in various themed activities on the ship, covering topics like current affairs, arts-crafts, culinary, workshops (talks and seminars led by famous Australian guest presenters), Masquerade Ball.

P&O's Pacific Adventure cruise ship starts her inaugural cruise on October 12, 2020, with an 18-night "Southeast Asia and Australia" repositioning from Singapore to Sydney NSW. The maiden voyage visits ports in Malaysia (Penang, Langkawi) and Australia (Cairns, Darwin, Airlie Beach, Brisbane, Sydney). Prices started from USD 2400 (quad share cabin).

Pacific Adventure will be homeported in Sydney. The first 8 cruises visit New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Pacific Islands (also Fiji). The itineraries are themed "New Guinea Island Encounter" (11-night), "Kiwi Adventure" (13-night) and "Fiji Explorer" (14-night). Mini-cruises (short-breaks) include 3-night "comedy" (cruise to nowhere), 4-night to Moreton Island. 6-night roundtrip Sydney (Melbourne Cup, Oct 31).

Cabins

With an expanded range of stateroom options including 560 balcony cabins, 230 suites and mini-suites, as well as the first 5-berth family cabins in the fleet, the ship provides something for all tastes.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The 3100-passenger Pacific Adventure offers various dining experiences, such as exciting concepts from award-winning Melbourne chef Johnny Di Francesco and Australian chef and restaurateur Luke Mangan. Continuing P&O AU's ongoing shipboard dining evolution, Pacific Adventure’s 2020 refurbishment included two casual dining venues - "Luke’s" (poolside grill by Australian chef Luke Mangan) and "400 Gradi" (traditional Neapolitan pizzeria by chef Johnny Di Francesco). Other venues include the P&O signature Waterfront Restaurant, Angelo’s (Italian), Dragon Lady (Asian), The Pantry (buffet restaurant / international marketplace with 9 fresh food outlets). Besides the pool, guests can use the ship's Big Red Phone pizza delivery hotline to order pizza straight to their poolside lounge.

Follows the complete list of Adventure restaurants and food bars.

• The ship has 2 specialty restaurants / at a fee - Dragon Lady (Asian) and Angelo's (Italian).
• Waterfront Restaurant (main dining room, complimentary)
• The Pantry (buffet restaurant/marketplace with 9 fresh food outlets, international cuisine, complimentary) on MS Pacific Explorer is extended and includes a 9th food outlet named "Nic and Toni’s" ((Mediterranean cuisine).
• Luke’s Grill (fast-casual dining / poolside grill by Australian chef Luke Mangan) overlooks the main pool area
• Cellar Room (winery), Chef’s Table (specialty)
• 400 Gradi (Neapolitan pizzeria by chef Johnny Di Francesco)
• The Bonded Store (bar with signature cocktails menu via a partnership with Archie Rose Distilling Co, themed whisky- and gin-making classes and tasting events)
• New Zealand Natural Ice Cream (outdoor bar / complimentary)
• "Lobster and Burger" (a poolside bar serving seafood rolls, premium beef and pulled pork burgers)
• "The Black Circus" (supper club with cabaret-style live entertainment).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Pacific Adventure passengers can enjoy thrilling waterslides, kids waterpark, extreme sports park and barefoot bowls on the ship's top deck. Popular leisure and relaxation options are a day spa, cabana-style pool area, plenty of pools and jacuzzis, live music and shows. All ages enjoy the adventures of P&OEdge program with a climbing course and a zip line across the top deck. 

P&O Cruises Australia newest ship Pacific Adventure boasts a private ‘Beach Club’ for a limited number of passengers. Named in homage to Byron Bay, one of the world's best beach destinations, P&O named the exclusive facility Byron Beach Club. The exceptional retreat is available to passengers booked into ship's suites and mini-suites. It offers a private outdoor pool, along with whirlpool spas and comfy seating on the top deck of the ship. With expansive sea views, guests can enjoy relaxation in stylish surroundings. In addition to the spa and pool area, Byron Beach Club guests can enjoy their own dining concierge service with priority reservation at all of the dining outlets onboard, including the new concepts from Australian restaurateur Luke Mangan and Melbourne chef Johnny Di Francesco.

Pacific Adventure boasts a sprawling kid-free Oasis retreat across multiple decks, with sun lounges, spa tubs, a pool, and a dedicated bar. The Blue Room returns as a live-music venue with soft furnishings for vacationers to sit back and enjoy live R&B, blues, and soul.

Follows the complete list of Pacific Adventure ship's lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens, and adults.

• Grand Atrium (4-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and served by lobby Bar/Charlie's Bar offering specialty coffees, pastries, desserts, also wine and liquor)
• Atrium Boutiques/shopping arcade
• Art Gallery; Photo Gallery and Shop; Photo Studio
• Internet Cafe / Card Room; Library
• The Marquee Theater (musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
• Blue Room (disco nightclub)
• HQ & HQ+ (has a large dance floor and DJ programming in the evenings). Here are also hosted daily karaoke, game shows, art auctions, various classes.
• Casino (with modern poker machines with large curved screens, slot machines, and gambling tables, served with drinks by its own bar. Texas Hold'em tournaments and Pokies tournaments are held here)
• Black Circus Lounge and Bar (live entertainment lounge with a dedicated stage for performances by guest comedians, singers, illusionists)
• Explorer Hotel / Summer Pub (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly)
• Elemis Day Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (separate Aerobics Studio)
• Big Screen (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Kids & Teen Centers Turtle Cove & Shark Shack; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playground areas
• Sun Deck (adult-only open-air top-deck area)
• The Oasis (adults-only aft deck)
• Sports Court (volleyball, basketball, European football)
• Shuffleboard, Golf Net, mini-golf course, barefoot lawn bowling green
• The ship's Aqua Park is P&O Cruises' ever first water park with slides. Its 2 waterslides stretch over 80 m (260 ft) and features LED lights, sound effects, several twists, and turns. The park has a separate shaded area for kids, equipped with a dumping bucket and oversized water toys.
• P&OEdge Adventure Park (outdoor sporting facility with a flying fox, rock-climbing wall, and 'Walk the Plank'). Also on the top deck (aft) are located the ship's 135m-long dual racing waterslides and bowling green court for games of barefoot bowls.