P&O Cruises Australia starts the countdown

Sailing as Holland America Line’s Ryndam and Statendam respectively, the ships will undergo massive makeovers before they join the company’s existing fleet of three in a spectacular five-ship parade on Sydney Harbour on November 25.

'‘The maiden visit of one ship is always a big occasion, but to have two ships make their first Sydney call together, accompanied by their three big sisters, will make history,’ svp Sture Myrmell said.

The company is expecting a repeat of the historic ‘royal rendezvous’ on February 20, 2007, when Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 met on Sydney Harbour and the city was gridlocked with crowds swarming the foreshores.

Myrmell said, like that event, November 25 will be a day to remember. 

Not only P&O, but the entire cruise industry will benefit from the incredible publicity the five-ship rendezvous will generate.