Pacific Explorer due 14 September 2023

Next Thursday, on 14 September 2023, the cruise ship P&O Pacific Explorer is due to return on its next voyage of the South Pacific. It is only two weeks since the cruise ship last visited on 31 August and anchored at Kingston, and the conditions were settled for passengers to come ashore, making four P&O Cruise ships, within two months, to be able to unload the passengers so they could explore Norfolk Island for a day.

Current itinerary of Pacific Explorer

10 days, round-trip Bounty Discovery

12/9/2023 Departing Auckland New Zealand

14/9/2023 Norfolk Island

16/9/2023 Noumea, Grande Terre Island, New Caledonia

17/9/2023 Lifou Island, New Caledonia

18/9/2023 Port Vila, Efate Island, Vanuatu

19/9/2023 Mystery Island, Aneityum, Vanuatu

22/9/2023 Arriving in Auckland, New Zealand

There have been four P&O Cruise ships in two months 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 visit Norfolk Island on 31 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. The passengers departed from Auckland on Tuesday, 12 September, and on the first legs of the adventure they will 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.

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 passengers. It will be wonderful to see the passengers ashore on Thursday if the weather is suitable for them to disembark. They will be able to have a great day exploring our beautiful Norfolk Island. The shops and cafes will be busy in town, as visitors are bused into Burnt Pine. Others might explore Kingston and enjoyed the World Heritage Convict Area, known as KAVHA, (Kingston Arthur’s Vale Historic Area), along with the wonderful lagoon and walks along the shoreline. Local tourist industries will once again have a busy day welcoming and sharing our local hospitality.

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

This next scheduled cruise ship is on the 14 September 2023, the P&O Pacific Explorer will return for the fourth 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

Here are a few details about the cruise ship Pacific Explorer

Specifications of Pacific Explorer

Year of Build: 1997 age: 26 years

Flag State: United Kingdom

Builder: Fincantieri (Monfalcone, Italy

Building Cost: USD 300 Million

Engines (power): Wartsila-Sulzer (46.1 MW / 61821 hp)

Speed: 23 kn / 43km/h / 26 mph

Length (LOA): 261m / 856 ft

Beam (width): 32m / 105 ft

Gross Tonnage: 77441 gt

Passengers: 1996 - 2395

Crew: 924

Passengers to space: 32

Decks: 14

Cabins: 998

Decks with cabins: 7

Last Refurbishment: 2020

Sister-ships: Sea Princess, Sun Princess (Pacific World)

Former Names: Dawn Princess

Christened by : Dora the Explorer (Nickelodeon) character for Princess Cruises

Owner: Carnival Corporation & PLC

Operator: Carnival Australia (via P&O Cruises Australia)

I have photos which I took last month at Kingston of the P&O Cruise ship anchored in the bay and also late afternoon with the lights reflecting on the water as the ship prepared to depart on their Pacific Bounty Discovery Cruise.

We wish the passengers safe travels on the Pacific Explorer P&O Cruises and let’s hope we have settled weather and the visitors can disembark on 14 September as I am looking forward to catching up with my niece who is exciting to be able to visit Norfolk Island. I hope everyone can enjoy a day here on our friendly Norfolk Island shores.

Betty Matthews

September 2023