P&O Cruises Australia, which is part of the Carnival Corporation & plc group, said it will introduce a second Grand class ship in its fleet in 2021 and axe two existing, smaller and older vessels.

The 108,865 gross ton Pacific Encounter will join the fleet in 2021, when the 2,600 passenger capacity ship will be transferred from sister company Princess Cruises.

It will join the similar sized Pacific Adventure, built as Golden Princess in 2001, that is due to enter service with the Sydney based company in October next year and the 77,441 gross ton Pacific Explorer, a Sun Princess class transfer from Princess Cruises.

The accompany has decided to sell the 1990 built Pacific Dawn of 70,285 gross tons that started life as regal Princess of Princess Cruises and the 55,819 gross to0n Pacific Aria that was built in 1994 as Ryndam of Holland America Line, also part of the Carnival group.

Carnival Australia that operates P&O Cruises Australia did not disclose details about potential buyers of either ship.