MUCH-LOVED cruise ship Pacific Sun has been sold by P&O to make way for newer and bigger ships in the fast-growing Australian market.
Die-hard fans of the ship, billed as "Australia's favourite cruise ship'', are rushing to book on the final cruise, which departs Brisbane on July 1.
More than half a million passengers have sailed on the Pacific Sun, which also sails out of Sydney and Newcastle, in the seven years it has been sailing the South Pacific with P&O.
The ship is believed to have been bought by a Chinese company, which is likely to launch new cruises out of China towards the end of next year.
Passengers booked on cruises out of Australia after July will be forced to switch to sailings on other ships in the P&O fleet.
The 25-year-old ship hit the headlines earlier this year when three cruises were cut short because of engine problems, but Carnival Australia spokesman David Jones said that didn't contribute to the decision to sell.
"Ships are machinery and even newer ships have mechanical problems at times,'' he said.
Mr Jones said the sale represented "generational change'', with newer and bigger ships from sister company Carnival pouring into Australia, which is the fastest-growing cruise market in the world.
The company will welcome the 88,500 tonne Carnival Spirit, which will sail from Sydney, in October next year.
"Passengers just love the Pacific Sun,'' Mr Jones said.
"She gained a well-deserved reputation as Australia's favourite cruise ship.
"You always have a soft spot for the first ship you go on and the Pacific Sun introduced many thousands of Aussies and Kiwis to cruising.
"It has a sentimental pull for many people.
"Customers are sad that they're going to be saying farewell to Pacific Sun and we expect there to be a lot of die-hard fans on the final cruise.''
Cabins are still available for several cruises between January and June.
Other ships in Carnival Australia's fleet include P&O Cruise's Pacific Dawn, Pacific Jewel and Pacific Pearl and Princess Cruises' Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess.
Carnival Australia said travellers booked on Pacific Sun cruises after July 8 will be re-booked on equivalent or near equivalent cruises on other P&O Cruises ships or offered a choice of alternative cruises on other ships in the fleet where a near equivalent match is not possible.
It will provide refunds to passengers for whom no alternative cruise choice is suitable.
Are booked on a cruise on the Pacific Sun? Email us.
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