Pacific Explorer due next Thursday

This week on 3 October 2024, the cruise ship P&O Pacific Explorer is due to arrive on Norfolk Island as their first stop on their “Bounty Discovery Cruise” of the Pacific. Known as Dora the Explorer, the vessel last visited Norfolk Island on 12 September and this week’s visit will be their third scheduled visit of P&O ships for 2024, following a successful 2023 season last year.

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

Pacific Explorer Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | CruiseMapper

Pacific Explorer current cruise is 10 days, round-trip Bounty Discovery. The itinerary starts on 1 October 2024 and ends on 11 October 2024.

This October 2024 cruise is a ten day voyage, it is a “Round Trip Bounty Discovery” which starts in Auckland New Zealand on 1 October2024, the first stop is Norfolk island and will then travel the Pacific, to the islands in Vanuatu and New Caledonia and they will return to Auckland New Zealand on 11 October 2024.

Pacific Explorer (Dora the 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.

On Thursday morning we will all be listening to the Norfolk Island local radio station for the updates on the arrival of the Pacific Explorer. If the weather is settled the P&O cruise ship will anchor at Cascade or Kingston and hopefully the passengers are able to disembark, they will be bused around the island and can explore Kingston and enjoyed the World Heritage Convict Area, known as KAVHA, (Kingston Arthur’s Vale Historic Area). Others may stroll along the wonderful lagoon shoreline or snorkel in Emily Bay. The shops and cafes will once again be busy in town, as visitors will be transported into Burnt Pine. Local tourist industries will have a busy day welcoming and sharing our local hospitality.

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

https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Pacific-Explorer-608?tab=itinerary#itinerary

The P&O Pacific Explorer is operated by P&O Cruises and sails under the flag of United Kingdon. Built in 1997, the ship is 27 years

old. With 14 decks and 998 cabins on 7 decks, the Pacific Explorer has 924 crew and approx 1996-2395 passengers. The cruise ship’s length is 261metres and beam is 32metres and speed is 23kn.

• The last cruise ship P&O Pacific Explorer arrived a month ago on 12 September 2024, I am unsure how many passengers disembarked, but maybe half of the passengers (1,000) due to weather conditions at Cascade Pier. The visitors enjoyed their day exploring on Norfolk Island and sailed off into the South Pacific.
• The next scheduled cruise ship I have listed is due to arrive on Sunday 20 October 2024, a Lindblad Expedition cruise ship and the P&O Pacific Adventure due the following day, Monday 21 October 2024. Fingers crossed the weather will be calm on their arrival on Norfolk Island, allowing the passengers to come ashore.

Here are a few photos I have taken on previous visits of the P&O Pacific Explorer. We wish the passengers safe travels and a great holiday as they cruise the South Pacific on the Pacific Explorer P&O Cruise and let’s hope we have calm seas when the cruise ship arrives on Thursday 3 October, and they can come ashore and enjoy a visit to our friendly Norfolk Island shores.

Betty Matthews

27 September 2024