P&O Australia has announced the sale of its cruise ship Pacific Jewel in March 2019. The Cruise Line will be adding two larger cruise liners in its fleet which are currently operated by Princess Cruises, but not until 2020. This means that they will be short for two cruise ships for a year since the second vessel, Pacific Eden was sold in recent months and will head to Cruise & Maritime Voyages in 2019. The cruise ship Golden Princess will join P&O Australia fleet in October 2020 and Star Princess in 2021.

"We have important news on the ongoing transformation of the P&O Cruises fleet. Our fleet refresh is gathering pace with today’s announcement that a second Grand-class ship -- the 3100-guest Star Princess -- will join her sister Golden Princess in our fleet. Golden Princess’ P&O debut is in October 2020 and Star Princess joins in late 2021.

This new chapter in our fleet transformation means farewelling the much loved Pacific Jewel after nearly 10 years of introducing many Australian and New Zealand guests to cruising.

“A jewel by name and nature,”’ as our President Sture Myrmell has said today. Pacific Jewel leaves us in March next year but please rest assured we will be contacting guests with bookings on Jewel after this time offering cruises that best match their needs.” Reads P&O Australia statement.

With the sale of Pacific Jewel, this should pave the way for the ship to be transformed o Cartoon Network's first cruise liner named Cartoon Network Wave, unless the ship has been sold to another buyer.

Earlier this year Cartoon Network announced the launch of its first cruise ship specially dedicated for children and families. They even released a video and renderings of their cruise liner which many recognized the vessel as Pacific Jewel. 

Back then Cruise Critic contacted with P&O Australia and the cruise line spokesperson said in a statement that Pacific Jewel appeared to have been used as a “canvas” for simulated artwork without P&O’s permission. “We have taken this issue up with the original source but the Pacific Jewel remains part of our fleet.” P&O said the ship remains in the fleet and is in fact due to undergo a dry dock this year ahead of its deployment from Auckland and Brisbane.

Cartoon Network's first cruise ship is a partnership between Oceanic Group, Asia-Pacific’s leading cruise management company, and Turner, the global media giant behind Cartoon Network, the fully-themed 11-deck, 2,000-guest Cartoon Network Wave will use Singapore as a home port.