P&O returns to PNG

YET another Pacific cruise market has opened up, with the official resumption of passenger shipping in Papua New Guinea when P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Encounter (pictured being welcomed by locals in the Conflict Islands) made her maiden call there last week.

The ship, which only recently became part of the P&O fleet (CW 03 Aug), made her inaugural visit to Alotau in PNG last Fri, followed by calls at Kiriwina, Rabaul and the Conflict Islands.

P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Australia President, Marguerite Fitzgerald, thanked the Papua New Guinea community and Government as well as the Milne Bay Province for their support of cruising.

“P&O Cruises first started operating dedicated cruises to Papua New Guinea in 2013 so we are thrilled our guests can once again enjoy the nation’s beautiful scenery and vibrant culture,” Fitzgerald said.

“Cruise tourism makes a valuable economic contribution to Papua New Guinea, and we’re excited to be working with our partners there as we recommence our cruises to Alotau, Rabaul, Kiriwina and the Conflict Islands,” she added.

The reopening of PNG will also see Princess Cruises and Holland America Line visit the destination, with Carnival brands to make a total of 14 port calls there over the remainder of 2022.

Fitzgerald said the itineraries would include longer calls and some overnight stays in Rabaul, offering even greater benefits to the PNG economy.

The final piece of the Pacific puzzle is Vanuatu, where P&O’s Pacific Explorer will conduct some test visits next month (CW 19 Sep) in the lead up to a wider reopening of the destination.

“Once cruising to Vanuatu resumes, our Pacific cruise network will be up and running again, which is wonderful news for our guests and the cruise community,” Fitzgerald said.