Ms Regatta Oceania Cruise Ship Due 4 March 2023
03 March 2023
This week there are two cruise ships due on Norfolk Island on 3 and 4 March 2023, on Friday the Lindblad Expeditions National Geographic Orion cruise ship and on Saturday the Ms Regatta, an Oceania Cruises.
The Ms Regatta, which is an Oceania Cruises is due to visit Norfolk Island on Saturday 4 March 2023. The passengers commence their cruise from Sydney, Australia to Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia. There is an estimate of 684 passengers on this eighteen-day cruise and Norfolk Island is the first South Pacific Island they will stop and anchor if conditions are favourable. From Norfolk Island the cruise ship is scheduled to visit Vanuatu, but TC Judy has crossed the islands this week, followed by TC Kevin, it will be interesting to see if the cruise changes the schedule with the stormy tropical weather forecast for Vanuatu.
Check out these sites for more information.
Oceania Cruises 18-days from Sydney, Australia to Papeete (Tahiti), French Polynesia
Timetables for Cruises To Norfolk Island, Australia on 04 March 2023 (cruisetimetables.com)
Cruise Itinerary:
Sydney, Australia (28 Feb d1700); Newcastle, Australia (01 Mar 0700-1800); Norfolk Island, Australia (04 Mar 0700-1600); Vila, Vanuatu (06 Mar 1100-2000); Lautoka, Fiji (08 Mar 0900-1800); Suva, Fiji (09 Mar 0800-1500); Apia, Western Samoa (11 Mar 1000-1900); Pago Pago, American Samoa (11 Mar 0700-1600); Bora Bora, French Polynesia (14 Mar 1100(+1)1800); Moorea, French Polynesia (16 Mar 0700-1700); Papeete, Tahiti, French Polynesia (16 Mar a2000(+1)disembark
Here is the weather forecast for Saturday when the cruise ship is due to arrive. I am sure the travellers are pleased TC Judy as stayed well to the East of Norfolk Island, but the wind and swells may still be affected by the tropical storms.
Saturday weather forecast 4 March 2023
partly cloudy with sunshine, slight change of a shower 20% warm and Southeast 30 to 45km
Seas 1 to 1.5 metres, 1st swell E 2 to 2.5 metres, 2nd swell S/SE 1 to 1.5 metres.
As I am preparing this article on Thursday evening, the Oceania Cruises Ms Regatta has just passed Lord Howe Island as it sails from Sydney towards Norfolk Island. Interestingly that is the same journey that was sailed by the First Fleet ship HMAT Supply in March 1788, 235 years ago.
Information is also available on this website which has current position details included.
Oceania Regatta Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | CruiseMapper
Since Covid-19 closed our Norfolk Island borders, only one cruise ship passengers have visited Norfolk Island. The Lindblad Expedition Cruise ship visited Norfolk Island on 27 December 2022. This was the first cruise ship passengers to visit Norfolk Island since the M/S Maasdam anchored at Kingston on the 23 January 2020 and the visitors came ashore, then within two months Covid closed borders on 16 March 2020.
This week on Friday 3 March 2023, the National Geographic Orion, disembarked at Kingston on zodiacs and had a lovely afternoon exploring Norfolk Island hosted by Baunti Tours. This was the first cruise ship to successfully come ashore this year, with approximately thirty passengers.
The next cruise ship is due which I have on my lists is later in the year on 8 June 23. This is a Pacific Explorer P & O Cruises, with the capacity to carry approximately 2000 passengers.
I have included a few images I found online of the Ms Rigatta cruise ships, I also found maps of their voyage details. Safe travels to all our visitors, and hope you enjoy your South Pacific Cruise. Fingers crossed conditions are safe coming ashore on Saturday, and everyone enjoys their visit on our beautiful Norfolk Island home.
Betty Matthews
March 2023