Princess Cruises has advanced the transfer of Golden Princess and Star Princess to its fellow Carnival Corp-owned cruise brand P&O Australia, according to a press release.

Golden Princess and Star Princess were officially handed over to P&O Australia on Wednesday, accelerating the transition that was originally announced back in 2018.

Golden Princess and Star Princess were of the Grand-class cruise ships within the Princess fleet.

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The two cruise ships will debut as Pacific Adventure (Golden Princess) and Pacific Encounter (Star Princess) and are scheduled to sail with P&O Australia in 2021.

“Golden Princess and Star Princess have sailed all over the world, creating lifelong memories for the millions of guests who sailed upon these beloved cruise ships,” said Jan Swartz, President, Princess Cruises.

“We know their wonderful legacy will continue under sister brand P&O Cruises Australia, which has become so well-known for delivering unforgettable cruise holidays for Aussies and Kiwis to some of the most idyllic destinations in the South Pacific,” she added.

Golden Princess first joined the fleet in May 2001 with her sister ship Star Princess setting sail the following year in January 2002. Both Golden Princess and Star Princess played an instrumental role in the evolution of Princess.

The ships were among the first to offer Princess’ signature Movies Under the Stars.

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The ships offered guests plenty of opportunities to customise their holiday experience through an unstructured approach called Personal Choice Cruising.

One of the key elements of this program was Princess’ innovative Personal Choice Dining, which was the only dining program in the industry at the time to give passengers freedom to dine where, when and with whom they wish.

Passengers could choose between Anytime Dining, where they could dine in one of the main dining rooms when and with whom they want, and Traditional Dining with an assigned dining time, table mates and wait staff.

Star Princess at anchor.

Both ships were also amongst the first to feature the line’s popular Lotus Spa and Fitness Centres.

Throughout the years, both ships were modernised with signature Princess features, including Movies Under the Stars, The Sanctuary adults-only retreat, the Piazza, and speciality restaurants Sabatini’s and Crown Grill.

Guests with bookings will be notified, along with their travel agents, and will receive information on how to book another Princess Cruise when operations resume.

Guests who prefer a refund will be accommodated, Princess Cruises has confirmed.