P&O Cruises Australia other harding have extended its thirteen-year partnership that will see Harding operate all on board retail concessions on all three of the P&O Cruises Australia Ships for a further five years.
Following Covid-19 lockdowns, Pacific explorer resumed cruising on 31 May and was then joined by the first new ‘Grand-class’ cruise ships for P&O Cruises Australia – Pacific Encounter (which started sailing out of Brisbane from August) and Pacific Adventure (sailing out of Sydney from October).
All three ships will have the retail proposition curated and managed by Harding, incorporating a data and insight program that Harding has developed over the past five years.
Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia President, Marguerite Fitzgerald said: “For the last thirteen years Harding have demonstrated an exemplary partnership approach, with cruise retail understanding, insights and perspectives that are unrivaled in the industry. We are delighted to be extending the relationship and embracing new thinking, learning and growth approaches to build on all that has worked so well over the years.
“Partnership means more than just commercial success, and the importance of cultural alignment, a shared set of values and mutual ambitions and approaches to what matters in business all count strongly too. Our teams, our guests, and our brand partners will all benefit from this next phase of the P&O Australia and Harding association.
“Today’s announcement comes after extensive and detailed discussions about what is best for our guests, our teams, and our brand partners, and we are confident Harding will continue to deliver and enhance our best-in-class retail proposition.”
Harding Managing Director, James Prescott said: “Continuing our long standing partnership with P&O Cruises Australia as they return to cruising and introduce the two Grand-Class ships to Australasian guests, is something we take great pride in. Long term relationships count for so much, and say so much about both businesses and their outlook on what matters.
“With the P&O cruise line holding a very special place in many Australians’ and New Zealanders’ hearts, we are excited to bring our ever evolving and data led insights on what matters for cruise guests in the retail space into the next chapter of how we work together to make sure we can add surprise and delight value to every trip. Making every cruise guest’s retail experience better is at the heart of our approach.”
