Malaysia-based conglomerate the Genting Group, via its Resorts World Cruises brand, will be the new operator of Pacific Explorer, the former flagship of P&O Cruises Australia.
The 77,441GT vessel will be renamed Star Scorpio following Genting's acquisition from P&O Cruises Australia parent company Carnival Corporation. The ship is scheduled to sail under its new owner beginning in March 2025 following an extensive US$50 million modernisation in Singapore, where it will also be homeported.
Pacific Explorer was originally built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri in 1997. It first sailed under the name Dawn Princess with US-based Princess Cruises and will now be the third ship to join the Resorts World Cruises fleet. As Star Scorpio, the ship will sail on itineraries that will also include Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.
Two other large cruise ships in the P&O Cruises Australia fleet are scheduled to be handed over to Carnival Corporation's flagship Carnival Cruise Line in March 2025. This transfer is in line with the planned merger of the two companies to increase guest capacity for Carnival Cruise Line.