Pacific Explorer 14 September 2023

This week on Thursday 14 September 2023, the cruise ship P&O Pacific Explorer arrived and anchored at Cascade Bay, Norfolk Island. 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 five 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 two weeks since the P&O Pacific Explorer last visited Norfolk Island in August, when approximately 1700 passengers disembarked at Kingston Pier.

This September 2023 cruise is a ten-day voyage, it is a “Round-trip Bounty Adventure” which started at Auckland, and travels the Pacific to, Norfolk Island, New

Caledonia, Vanuatu and returning to Auckland, New Zealand. An estimate of 2330 passengers and about 900 crew, departed from Auckland on Tuesday, 12 September, and on the first legs of the adventure they arrived here on Norfolk Island on Thursday 14 September. As they depart our friendly shores, they will enjoy a cruise of tropical islands and back to Auckland as a final stop on 22 September 2023.

On Thursday morning, I drove to the lookout above the cruise ship P&O Pacific Explorer anchored at Cascade Bay. It was also exciting to see whales in the area near the cruise ship. 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 back to their P&O cruise ship at the end of the day. I was excited that the passengers could come ashore as I have 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 and even snorkeled in Emily Bay with them later in the day when I finished work.

The conditions at the ship on Thursday had a small swell, and they took care disembarking and re-loading the passengers. The morning was cooler, but turned out a nice sunny day, which was lovely for many who walked around Kingston enjoyed the World Heritage Convict Area, known as KAVHA, (Kingston Arthur’s Vale Historic Area). Others explored along with 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 4.30pm - 5pm. 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 - 2300 passengers.

The last cruise ship to visit was 31 August 2023, P&O Pacific Explorer with approximately 2000 passengers on board and approximately 1700 disembarking at

Kingston Pier.

The next scheduled cruise ship is on Monday 23 October 2023, the P&O Pacific Adventure will return for the fifth P&O Cruise ship visit for the year.

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

Pacific Explorer Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | CruiseMapper

I have photos I took on Thursday at Cascade in the morning before I started work of the P&O Cruise ship anchored out in the bay near the Cascade Pier. At the end of the day, I drove my visitors back to Cascade Pier and said farewell them, as they prepared to board the transfer vessel back out the ship. I am sure they will have a great holiday as they cruise the South Pacific. 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

15 September 2023