Retail group Harding and P&O Cruises Australia have agreed to extend their 13-year partnership, which will see Harding, manage all onboard retail concessions on cruise ships for the next five years.

All three ships will have a retail offering curated and managed by Harding in collaboration with P&O Cruises Australia and informed by the data and insights program it has developed over the past five years.

"For the past thirteen years, Harding has demonstrated an exemplary partnership approach, with an understanding of cruise retail, insights and perspectives unmatched in the industry," said Marguerite Fitzgerald, president of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia. "We are thrilled to extend the relationship and embrace new thinking, learning and growth approaches to build on all that has worked so well over the years."

Pacific Explorer resumed cruising on May 31, 2022 after a pause in operations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Pacific Encounter followed when she began sailing from Brisbane, Australia, in August, and Pacific Adventure was scheduled to complete her continued voyage when she departed Sydney, Australia, in October.

"Continuing our long-standing partnership with P&O Cruises Australia as they return to cruising and introduce two Grand-Class ships to Australian guests is something we are very proud of," says James Prescott, Managing Director of Harding. "With P&O Cruise Line holding a very special place in the hearts of many Australians and New Zealanders, we are excited to bring our ever-evolving data-driven insights into what matters to cruise guests in the retail space to the next chapter of how we work together, to make sure we can add the value of surprise and delight to every journey.”

photo credit: Harding