Pacific Explorer has once again pioneered the return of cruising – this time becoming the first ship in two years ago enter Auckland Habour.
Pacific Explorer and her guests, currently on a 12-night round-trip cruise from Sydney to New Zealand and Fiji, were accorded a traditional Māori welcome after berthing at Queen’s Wharf. Guests also received a spectacular greeting as they emerged from the Cloud to fan out across Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland and the district on locally run tours.
Among those welcoming Pacific Explorer were local business owners covering a wide range including hospitality, tours and transport, who have been looking forward to the restoration of the economic opportunities associated with cruise tourism. Pacific Explorer’s welcoming group also included Julie McEwen, a young New Zealand citizen who is building an international reputation as a cruise director on board P&O ships.
President of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia Marguerite Fitzgerald thanked the New Zealand government for enabling cruising to be a part of a move to reconnect with the world following the challenges of the pandemic.
“Pacific Explorer’s arrival in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland today is a signal that cruise tourism is poised to make a significant contribution to the restoration of the tourism economy,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“Looking further afield to the reopening of maritime borders in other parts of the Pacific, it is entirely appropriate that Pacific Explorer is on an itinerary that includes calls in Fiji.
“We are looking forward to our ships also being able to return to beautiful destinations in New Caledonia and Vanuatu and to the progressive return to New Zealand ports of ships from our other cruise lines as the tourism sector continues to rebuild.”
A number of local business operators welcomed the arrival of Pacific Explorer and the impetus cruise tourism offers to the economy and the Auckland CBD in particular.
Ms Fitzgerald said P&O was already planning for Pacific Explorer’s return to Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland in 2023 for its first home ported cruise season in three years.
“This is an exciting day for P&O and an exciting day for cruising and we thank New Zealand for today’s warm welcome,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
A spokesperson from the Auckland Business Chamber said the return of cruise ships is “good news for all”, benefiting Auckland and other regions. Cruising boosted the NZ economy by $500 million a year before the pandemic brought it all to a stop.
Now 907 port calls from 42 vessels are scheduled for New Zealand ports during 2022-23 season.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited said at least 20 ships carrying around 45,000 passengers will be arriving in Auckland’s port before Christmas 2022.
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Managing Director Australasia Joel Katz said: “New Zealand has now joined the rest of the world in a careful resumption of cruise operations.
“We now have an opportunity to revive a sector that previously supported many thousands of jobs in communities right around the New Zealand coast.