P&O Cruises Australia flagship Pacific Encounter sailed into Vanuatu on 9 November, heralding the final destination in the ship’s return to the South Pacific.
The Brisbane-based Pacific Encounter is the first ship to cruise back to Vanuatu, calling at Port Vila after becoming the first ship to visit Lifou in the Loyalty Islands after an absence of more than two years on the previous day.
An Australian cruising mainstay for decades, the seven-night cruise revives the popular ‘NLV’ itinerary – Noumea, Lifou and Vila – that has introduced thousands to cruising and the island communities in the South Pacific.
Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia President Marguerite Fitzgerald said the return to Lifou and Vanuatu destinations were signature events in the rebuilding of cruise tourism with maritime borders reopened in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu.
P&O announced in September that the line was working with Vanuatu authorities on a staged reintroduction of cruising, starting with the two cruises ex Brisbane and Sydney.
“It was a great honour when P&O Cruises Australia was asked to lead the phased return of cruising in Vanuatu with two of its ships to contribute to the reintroduction of cruise tourism in the archipelago,” she said.
“Our cooperation in the trial is also part of our deep commitment to the island communities who have made our guests so welcome over many years.”
P&O’s Sydney-based Pacific Adventure will also bring cruise guests back to Vanuatu to be the first cruise ship to visit Mystery Island and Luganville on Espiritu Santo.
“This is the activity that we have pledged to help rebuild in Vanuatu just as we are contributing to rebuilding Australia’s $5 billion-a-year cruise industry,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
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