P&O Cruises Australia announced the company will extend its pause in operations across Australia and New Zealand to October 29, 2020 in response to the latest impact of the global pandemic. The cruise line said it will extend its pause in operations for an extra 42 days to what had previously been announced.

Sture Myrmell, President of P&O Cruises and Carnival Australia, said while everyone hoped cruises would resume soon, it had become increasingly clear that more time is needed for society to reinstate many modes of travel and community gatherings.

"The path to society reopening fully is continuing to evolve – and cruising will return when science and public health align and people again feel comfortable to meet.  With this in mind, we have reviewed the current end date of our pause in cruise operations," Mr Myrmell said.

"We will continue to use this time to liaise with authorities, public health experts and others in the industry to develop enhanced public health measures for when the time is right to resume sailing.

"This is by far the most challenging time the travel sector has ever experienced. However, like so many of our loyal guests and partners, we look forward to better times ahead when we can cruise again. We thank everyone for their unswerving loyalty, patience and goodwill."

The latest announcement will affect the voyages departing from Australia on Pacific Explorer with cruise code from X040 to X046.

Pacific Dawn from W047 to W053, and Pacific Aria from A048 to A051

In New Zealand, P&O Cruises will return for its next season of voyages departing from Auckland in 2021. Additional cruises affected by this new pause are on Pacific Aria from A042, to A047

P&O will also cancel Pacific Adventure's inaugural 18-night cruise from Singapore to Sydney.