Seatrade Cruise News is part of the Informa Markets Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them. Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

P&O Cruises makes history at Sydney Harbour

e6eb7b188cdb17156430ab74ea5d9c86_XL
A five ships rendezvous off Sydney Heads this morning. Left to right: Pacific Aria, Pacific Jewel, Pacific Pearl, Pacific Dawn and Pacific Eden
P&O Cruises Australia made history at Sydney Harbour today with a five ship rendezvous, a dual christening and the naming of Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden via twitter which is believed to be a world first.

At 5.15 a.m. P&O’s three resident ships -- Pacific Jewel, Pacific Pearl and Pacific Dawn -- formed a V-formation outside the heads with Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, the two former Holland America Line ships joining the fleet.

The ships then entered Sydney Harbour in single file in brilliant sunshine.

When they reached the centre of the harbour Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden sailed either side of Fort Denison where the Australian godmothers, singer Jessica Mauboy and actress Kate Ritchie, simultaneously twittered their official naming.

There was a champagne breakfast and fireworks for guests on Fort Denison who included Arnold Donald, president and ceo of Carnival Corporation & PLC and Stein Kruse, ceo of Holland America Group.

The five ships remained in Sydney Harbour all day, with concerts on board to entertain passengers and a spectacular fireworks display is planned for this evening.