Pacific Explorer sets off on final cruise from Australia to Singapore

  • Pacific Explorer is bound for Fremantle and Exmouth.
  • Pacific Adventure left Sydney last night with a fire-boat escort in celebration of the captain’s impending retirement.
  • There has been much speculation about how the line would mark the ships departures.

Pacific Explorer was scheduled to leave Melbourne on her final journey under P&O colours today. The ship with so much Australian cruise history – the first to sail into Australia after the Covid restrictions were lifted and the first to many other ports in Australia and the Pacific – left Melbourne in the late afternoon for a final sailing.

The former P&O flagship is bound for Fremantle and Exmouth, and will sail finally to Singapore from Fremantle on February 7.

There has been much speculation about how her departure would be marked.

A line spokesman said: “Departure was slightly delayed also due to weather . It’s a regular departure besides that.”

Pacific Adventure leaves Sydney on one of her final sailings under P&O colours
Pacific Adventure leaves Sydney in January 2025

Pacific Adventure left Sydney tonight with a fire-boat escort in celebration of the captain’s impending retirement. Adventure remains in Australia and will sail under Carnival Cruise Lines. She is scheduled to change her livery in Melbourne but won’t be dry-docked for a full “Carnivalisation” until 2027.

Pacific Explorer was bought by Malaysia-based conglomerate the Genting Group, via its Resorts World Cruises brand, will be the new operator of Pacific Explorer, the former flagship of P&O Cruises Australia.

The 77,441 gross tons vessel will be renamed Star Scorpio and is scheduled to sail under its new owner in March 2025 following a US$50 million refit in Singapore, where she will also be homeported.

Pacific Explorer was originally built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri in 1997. It first sailed under the name Dawn Princess with US-based Princess Cruises. She is the third ship to join the Resorts World Cruises fleet. As Star Scorpio, the ship will sail on itineraries that will also include Thailand, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

The Dawn Princess initially sailed various itineraries, including a stint in Australia and New Zealand between 2006 and 2007. It was then repositioned to serve Hawaii, Tahiti, and the South Pacific. In 2008, the ship returned to Australia permanently, sailing from Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth alongside her sister ship, the Sun Princess.

In 2015, Carnival Corporation, the parent company of both Princess Cruises and P&O Cruises Australia, decided to transfer the Dawn Princess to the Australian market. She underwent a significant refurbishment in Singapore in 2017 to rebrand her as the Pacific Explorer. This included updates to her livery, dining options, and onboard activities, catering specifically to the Australian cruise market.

How Dora the Explorer got to name the latest P&O ship
Sture Myrmell, Dora the Explorer and friends name the Pacific Explorer

The Pacific Explorer was officially christened in Sydney on July 2, 2017, by the beloved children’s character Dora the Explorer. Since then, she has become a popular ship for P&O Cruises Australia, sailing a variety of itineraries from different Australian ports.

Notable Moments

  • COVID-19 Impact: Like the rest of the cruise industry, Pacific Explorer was significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. She was forced to suspend operations for an extended period and faced numerous challenges related to health and safety protocols. The ship played a role in repatriation efforts, bringing Australians home from overseas during the early stages of the pandemic and was the ship that led the return of cruise ships to Sydney.

  • Refurbishment and Upgrades (2017 & 2023): Beyond the initial 2017 refurbishment, Pacific Explorer underwent further upgrades in early 2023. This included enhancements to public spaces, cabin renovations, and the addition of new dining venues. These investments aimed to modernise the ship and enhance the passenger experience.In 2022, the Pacific Explorer made history as the first cruise ship to utilise the newly constructed Brisbane International Cruise Terminal.

  • The “Klan” Costume Controversy: Just last week it was revealed that during a Christmas-themed event, some crew members dressed in white costumes with pointed hoods, unintentionally resembling Ku Klux Klan attire. This caused distress to passengers and sparked public criticism. P&O Cruises Australia issued an apology, stating the crew intended to represent “snow cones” and were unaware of the resemblance.

  • Celebrity Guests: Over the years, Pacific Explorer has hosted various celebrities and events. This includes appearances by Australian personalities and themed cruises featuring popular musicians and entertainers. While a complete list of every celebrity guest is difficult to compile, here are some notable figures who have been associated with the Pacific Explorer, among them Dave Hughes the popular Australian comedian, Kate Ceberano, Human Nature, the Australian pop vocal group and Luke Mangan, renowned Australian chef who has a strong presence on the Pacific Explorer. His signature restaurant, Luke’s, is a popular dining venue onboard.

  • Charity Initiatives: Pacific Explorer has been involved in various charitable initiatives, supporting organizations like the McGrath Foundation for breast cancer awareness. The ship has also participated in fundraising events and community outreach programs.

6 thoughts on “Pacific Explorer sets off on final cruise from Australia to Singapore”

  1. It certainly is not a photo of the Pacific Explorer, nor is that ship either leaving Melbourne or Fremantle.

  2. I’ll be on her 2nd to last voyage . . Taking the exmouth cruise with my son tomorrow.
    Looking forward to it!

  3. This has come around so very quickly. Marks a new low in Australian cruising. All part of reducing the number of cruise ships in Australia in the 25/26. One less P&O ship. One less Princess ship and both Princess ships will undergo dry dock

  4. Get your ship right, the ship photo is the Encounter or the Adventure.
    And the ships photo looks like it is leaving Sydney Harbour, least you got one photo right.

  5. Always loved my cruises on the Explorer, definitely the best P and O cruise ship, and I am sad to see her go. Farewell Pacific Explorer.

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