Pacific Explorer chalked up another first when she docked at Noumea on Tuesday
P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Explorer became the first cruise ship to visit Noumea on Tuesday following the reopening of New Caledonia’s maritime border.
The company’s 77,441gt flagship was the first cruise ship to return to Australia in April after more than two years and was also the first to visit New Zealand and Fiji in August following the pandemic lockdown.
After an overnight in Noumea, she sails Wednesday for Lifou, returning to Sydney October 10 after a nine-day ‘A Taste of New Caledonia’ cruise.
Important economic contribution
Speaking in Noumea after Pacific Explorer’s arrival, Marguerite Fitzgerald, president of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia, said cruise tourism makes an important economic contribution to the island nations of the South Pacific.
‘We are looking forward to renewing our partnerships with the governments, businesses and communities of New Caledonia and strengthening them even further as our ships call once again,’ Fitzgerald said.
She said ships from across Carnival Australia’s brands will make more than 20 visits to New Caledonia over the remainder of 2022, with more than 150 calls scheduled for 2023.
