Pacific Explorer 1 November 2023

This week on Wednesday 1 November 2023, was the final 2023 visit for the year, of the cruise ship P&O Pacific Explorer. The sea conditions had been wet, wild, and windy over the weekend on Sunday and Monday, and everyone waited to see if the ocean swells would settle for the Wednesday cruise ship visit.

The P&O Pacific Explorer arrived and anchored at Cascade Bay, Norfolk Island and the transfer vessels were driven out to the cruise ship as they prepared to ferry the passengers from the ship to shore. Everyone was excited when the Norfolk Island Radio staff announced that the passengers would be coming ashore at Cascade Pier.

There has now been seven P&O Cruise ships this year to be able to unload the passengers so they could explore Norfolk Island for a day. It is only five weeks since the P&O Pacific Explorer last visited Norfolk Island in September, when an estimate of 2000 passengers disembarked at Kingston Pier. The last P&O was on Monday 23 October with the visit of 2700 passengers travelling the Pacific onboard P&O Pacific Adventure.

This October – November 2023 cruise is a ten-day voyage, it is a “Round-trip Bounty Adventure” which started at Auckland and travels the Pacific. The first stop

was scheduled to be Mystery Island, Aneityum, Vanuatu and Port Vila, Efate Island, Vanuatu, but due to the Tropical Cyclone Lola, crossing Vanuatu this week, the passengers spent time enjoying the cruise ship and staying safely away from the stormy weather.

Other Pacific Islands they visited are Lifou island, New Caledonia, Noumea, Grande Terre Island, New Caledonia and the final stop Norfolk Island before returning to Auckland, New Zealand. With an estimate of 2400 passengers and about 900 crew, they departed from Auckland on Tuesday, 24 October, and on the final leg of the adventure they arrived here on Norfolk Island on Wednesday 1 November. As they depart our friendly shores, they will enjoy a cruise back to Auckland as a final stop on 3 November 2023.

On Wednesday I drove to the lookout above the cruise ship P&O Pacific Explorer anchored at Cascade Bay. The new passenger ferries were set up in the bay and these vessels were used to ferry the travellers from ship to shore and returning to their P&O cruise ship at the end of the day. I was excited that the passengers could come ashore as I had family visiting from New Zealand. It was great to catch up with them and share our love of Norfolk Island, and the history at Kingston. Later in the day when I finished work, I drove them around Norfolk Island, around Kingston, out to Puppies Point, to St Barnabas Chapel and up Mt Pitt, then after a cuppa we returned back to the Cascade Pier.

An estimate of 2300 passengers disembarked their cruise ship, and the day was nice and sunny with a very light breeze here on Wednesday, which was lovely for many who walked around Kingston enjoying the World Heritage Convict Area, known as KAVHA, (Kingston Arthur’s Vale Historic Area). Others explored along the wonderful lagoon and walks along the shoreline or snorkeled in Emily Bay. The shops and cafes were busy in town, as visitors were bused into Burnt Pine. Local tourist industries once again had a busy day welcoming and sharing our local hospitality.

Later in the day as the passengers prepared to return to the cruise ship, the final transfer vessels were around 4.00pm – 4.30pm. Thank you to the Baunti Byuutis for the lovely traditional Tahitian dancing, the dancers should be proud that they can entertain our visitors. Thank you to all the cruise ship organisers, tour company staff and managers and everyone who managed the boats down at Cascade.

Pacific Explorer was also known as Dawn Princess, the former name of the P&O Cruise Ship. I have read that the Pacific Explorer is able to carry up to approximately 2000 - 2400 passengers.

The last cruise ship to visit was 23 October 2023, P&O Pacific Adventure with approximately 2700 passengers on board and approximately disembarking 2400 – 2500 disembarking at Cascade Pier.

The next scheduled cruise ship is on Sunday 5 November 2023, the Holland America cruise ship Noordarn, with approximately 2380 passengers.

And on Monday 6 November 2023 the smaller vessel National Geographic Orion with approximate 100 passengers.

This web page has information and updates of the current position of the vessel.

Pacific Explorer Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | CruiseMapper

At the end of the day, I drove my visitors back to Cascade Pier and said farewell, as they prepared to board the transfer vessel back out to the ship. I am sure they will have a great holiday as they cruise back home to New Zealand. I have photos of the P&O Cruise ship anchored out in the bay near the Cascade Pier on Wednesday. I took a few more images as the last of the passengers were ferried out to the P&O Pacific Explorer.

It was wonderful to see the passengers ashore, I am sure they had a great day exploring our beautiful Norfolk Island. As the sunset, at the end of the day, the ship departed, and we wish the passengers safe travels on the Pacific Explorer P&O Cruise and let’s hope we see you again on your next visit to our friendly Norfolk Island shores.

Betty Matthews

3 November 2023