Ms Regatta Oceania Cruise Ship Sailed away 4 March 2023

Last Saturday the Ms Regatta, which is an Oceania Cruises cruise ship, arrived at Kingston on Saturday 4 March 2023. The sea conditions were not suitable for the passengers to disembark as there were swells and a few white caps around the coast of Norfolk Island. When I drove to Kingston around 8.45am the I caught the last sight of the cruise ship as it sailed towards Anson Bay, and as it was rounding the corner, I quickly grabbed my camera and managed to get a couple of photos as the Ms Regatta sailed away.

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. The details about the cruise said that after visiting Norfolk Island the cruise ship is scheduled to visit Vanuatu, but TC Judy has crossed the islands this week, followed by TC Kevin. As Vanuatu was hit hard from these twin tropical cyclone storms, I followed the shipping apt and noticed the Ms Regatta headed towards the Coral Sea and possibly the New Caledonia direction.

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

Information is also available on this website which has current position details included. As I am writing this article on Thursday evening 9 March, the Ms Regatta is on route to Suva Fiji.

Oceania Regatta Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | CruiseMapper

Since Covid-19 closed our Norfolk Island borders, only two cruise ships have been able to unload passengers during their Norfolk Island visits. 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.

The other cruise ship which was able to unload passengers was last 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 captured as the cruise ship Ms Rigatta sailed away in the distance. Safe travels to all our visitors, and you enjoy your South Pacific Cruise. I hope you can return to Norfolk Island at another time and have an opportunity to enjoy our beautiful Norfolk Island home.

Betty Matthews

March 2023