AUTHORITIES in New Caledonia have given the green light to a cruise restart, continuing the momentum of inaugural post-pandemic visits to NZ and Fiji in the last week.
P&O Cruises’ flagship Pacific Explorer will once again pave the way, with guests sailing from Sydney on 01 Oct on a nine-night Pacific itinerary yesterday advised that they will “now make history as New Caledonia reopens its maritime borders to cruise tourism,” the line said.
The voyage will see Explorer make an overnight call in Noumea – naturally accompanied by a hearty welcome – followed by a call to Lifou in the Loyalty Islands.
“As our own return to service gathers pace the South Pacific is reconnecting with cruise tourism knowing how important its contribution is to island economies,” said Carnival Australia’s Marguerite Fitzgerald.
However Vanuatu is still closed, meaning calls to Port Vila and Mystery Island won’t proceed.
“With New Caledonia coming back online, P&O is once again widening its cruising horizons, and we look forward to Vanuatu reopening its maritime borders to cruise ships before too long.
“Our positive relationships with these countries have been built up over decades and there is shared confidence and trust in what we do,” she said.