Future of Kangaroo Island, Port Lincoln cruises unknown as P&O’s Pacific Explorer set to cease operations next year

P&O Cruises will retire its Pacific Explorer which visited Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island. Find out what it means for passengers here.

The future of cruises to Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln are shrouded in uncertainty, as P&O Cruises Australia will cease operations next year and the Pacific Explorer is retired.

From March, the brand will fold its operations into parent company, Carnival Cruise Line and rebrand its Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure ships and workforce.

The Pacific Explorer, which operates two four-day cruises from Outer Harbour to Port Lincoln and Kangaroo Island, will be retired and passengers booked after February will be offered a refund or credit.

The company had also offered a three-day comedy cruise from Adelaide to Melbourne and a 90s five-day trip round-trip from Adelaide.

A Carnival spokesperson would not comment on whether it would rebrand the SA cruises to see them continue, only that they would not rule out operating in SA waters in the future.

“P&O Cruises and Carnival Corporation thank Port Adelaide Passenger Terminal and all our loyal South Australian guests for choosing to cruise with us, and we look forward to continue welcoming you on board the Pacific Explorer through to February next year.”

Tourism Minister Zoe Bettison said there were “no confirmed details” of what this meant for future cruises in SA, but the South Australian Tourism Commission was engaging with Carnival to work out the impact.

Kangaroo Island Mayor Michael Pengilly said while some businesses financially benefited from cruise ships visiting, there was a “growing level of dissatisfaction” among residents.

“There will be mixed feelings about it not coming anymore, particularly in Penneshaw as we’re just not geared for mass market tourism,” Mr Pengilly said.

“The Pacific Explorer used to bring in around 3000 passengers and it was a budget cruise … some went on tours, but not all.

“When it started they told us they’d bring 500-600 passengers, mainly from overseas, but instead they brought the large boats with thousands of passengers … Penneshaw just doesn’t have the facilities.”

P&O Cruises Australia’s flagship Pacific Explorer will be taken out of the water from February. Picture: Supplied

Port Lincoln Council’s economic and tourism growth manager Naomi Blacker said they were currently assessing the tourism impact on the region following P&O’s announcement.

Port Adelaide Enfield Mayor Claire Boan said while it was sad to lose a regular visitor in P&O Cruises, it was important to note more than 40 cruise ships had docked at Outer Harbor.

Ms Boan said the arrival of cruise ships had a positive impact on the local economy.

“Tourists disembark explore various destinations, from the scenic Semaphore to the historic Port Adelaide, and the City of Port Adelaide Enfield actively supports local businesses by offering a volunteer-run shuttle bus service ensuring that visitors can easily reach and enjoy our local attractions,” she said.

“We remain optimistic about the continued growth of the cruise season. The contributions of cruise tourism to our economy are substantial, helping to sustain local businesses and creating a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors.”

P&O Australia announced on Tuesday it would cease its operations after nearly a century of operations due to high port charges and difficulty of obtaining berths.

“Given the strategic reality of the South Pacific’s small population and significantly higher operating and regulatory costs, we’re adjusting our approach to give us the efficiencies we need to continue delivering an incredible cruise experience year-round to our guests in the region,” Carnival chief executive Josh Weinstein said in a statement.