Cruising has officially resumed in Papua New Guinea as P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Encounter made her maiden visit to the Pacific Island nation on 7 October with an inaugural visit to Alotau and calls to Kiriwina, Rabaul and the Conflict Islands.
The calls are the latest in a series of Pacific visits for the cruise line as countries across the region reopen their maritime borders to cruising.
Sister ship Pacific Explorer was the first cruise ship to return to New Caledonia on 4 October and led the resumption of cruising to New Zealand and Fiji in August.
P&O’s return to PNG will be followed by the reopening of Vanuatu to cruising in November.
President of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia Marguerite Fitzgerald thanked the government and the community of Papua New Guinea and 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,” Ms 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.”
Ships from three Carnival Australia brands – P&O Cruises Australia, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line – are scheduled to make 14 port calls to Papua New Guinea across the remainder of 2022.
For more info, head to pocruises.com.au
