Pacific Explorer Returned 12 September 2024

This week on Thursday 12 September 2024, the cruise ship P&O Pacific Explorer returned to 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 14 August and this week’s visit will be their second scheduled visit of P&O ships for 2024, following a success 2023 season last year.

On Thursday morning we all listened to the Norfolk Island local radio station for the updates on the arrival of the Pacific Explorer. The call took a little longer as there were concerns about the swells. Just after 9am the announcement came that they were unloading the passengers at Cascade Pier. As the passengers disembarked, they were bused around the island and many explored Kingston and enjoyed the World Heritage Convict Area, known as KAVHA, (Kingston Arthur’s Vale Historic Area). Others strolled along the wonderful lagoon shoreline and as it was a sunny day some may have snorkeled in Emily Bay. The shops and cafes were once again busy in town, as visitors were transported into Burnt Pine. Local tourist industries had a busy day welcoming and sharing our local hospitality.

The P&O Pacific Explore has approximately just over 2000 passengers, but I am unsure how many came ashore on Thursday. I wondered if it was less than last month, due to the late unloading, but I have not heard the figures for the September visit.

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 10 September 2024 and ends on 20 September 2024.

This September 2024 cruise is a ten day voyage, it is a “Round Trip Bounty Discovery” which started in Auckland New Zealand on 10 September sailing to Norfolk island and will travel the South Pacific, to the islands in Vanuatu and they will return to Auckland New Zealand on 20 September 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.

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 14 August 2024, and approximately 2,029 passengers disembarked at Cascade Pier and 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 Thursday 3 October 2024, P&O Pacific Explorer with up to 2272 passengers. 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 took of the P&O Pacific Explorer in the morning as the transfer vessels prepared to unload the visitors and later in the afternoon as they were returning to the P&O cruise ship.

We wish the passengers safe travels and a great holiday as they cruise the South Pacific on the Pacific Explorer P&O Cruise.

Betty Matthews

13 September 2024