Pacific Explorer Returned 3 October 2024

This week on Thursday 3 October 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 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.

Wednesday was windy and I wondered if the ocean swells would be whipped up and unsettled for unloading or if Cascade would be sheltered? On Thursday morning we all listened to the Norfolk Island local radio station for the updates on the arrival of the Pacific Explorer. 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. There was a breeze, but the wind had settled after the windy night. The sunshine was lovely for the passengers to capture the beauty of our lovely remote Pacific Island.

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. I drove through Burnt Pine, just after 2pm and saw lots of people walking around the shops and many lined up waiting for a bus at the RSL pickup area.

The P&O Pacific Explorer had approximately 2400 passengers, plus about 840 crew. I am unsure how many came ashore on Thursday, but possibly it was around 2000, but I have not heard the figures for the 3 October 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 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 started in Auckland New Zealand on 1 October sailing to Norfolk island and will travel the South 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 - 2400 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 last month on 12 September 2024, and approximately 1,000 passengers disembarked at Cascade Pier and enjoyed their day exploring on Norfolk Island and sailed off into the South Pacific.

The next October & November scheduled cruise ships I have listed as due to arrive:

• Sunday 20 October 2024, the National Geographic Orion, which is a smaller cruise ship which uses zodiacs to unload passengers. The vessel can accommodate 102-106 passengers and 75 crew. This is a Pacific cruise Brisbane to Auckland, via Honiara, Soloman, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Norfolk Island, Bay of Islands NZ to Auckland, New Zealand.
• Monday 21 October, the P&O Pacific Adventure is due to visit Norfolk Island, with up to 2636-3174 passengers and 1100 crew. This is a 10 day Bounty Round Cruise. Fingers crossed the weather will be calm on their arrival on Norfolk Island, allowing the passengers to come ashore.
• 4^th November 2024, the Scenic Eclipse II, on a 10 day Pacific Cruise from Lautoka, Fiji to Auckland, New Zealand with approximately 228 passengers and 176 crew.

Here are a few photos I took of the P&O Pacific Explorer on Thursday morning as the transfer vessels prepared to unload the visitors and later in the afternoon I returned after work and captured the ship in lovely sunshine as the passengers were being ferried back to their P&O Cruise ship, ready to enjoy their Pacific Bounty Discovery holiday. The ship was due to depart after sunset around 7.30pm.

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

4 October 2024