Two former P&O Cruises Australia ships have been re-named by new owner Cruise & Maritime Voyages.
Pacific Dawn will be called Amy Johnson after the English aviation pioneer and Pacific Aria will be re-named Ida Pfeiffer after a 19th century Austrian explorer.
Both ships were acquired in November and are due to enter service for CMV in summer 2021.
The 1,400-passenger Amy Johnson will be deployed from the UK in late May next year as the line’s new flagship alongside Columbus from London Tilbury.
The 1,100-capacity Ida Pfeiffer will serve the German market under the TransOcean Kreuzfahrten brand together with Vasco da Gama. The new addition will replace the 580-passenger Astor, which is being re-named Jules Verne to sail from France.
The 2021 summer programmes will go on sale next month with special launch edition brochures offering early booking incentives.
CMV chief executive Christian Verhounig said: “We are delighted with the chosen names and the opportunity to recognise two outstanding female adventurers and pioneers.
“Most of all, we are pleased to confirm that Amy Johnson will take over from Columbus as the fleet’s new flagship.”