P&O Farewell

AUCKLAND - FIJI: P&O - THE PACIFIC EXPLORER / DAWN PRINCESS

5 MINUTE READ

Auckland to Fiji marks the end of an era as Carnival's rebranding signals the conclusion of 90 years of Australian cruising heritage.

Boarding a ship for what you know will be the final time under a familiar flag is somewhat melancholic. The Pacific Explorer's eight-day Auckland to Fiji voyage represented more than just another cruise—it marked the end of P&O Australia's nine-decade presence in Australasian waters, as parent company Carnival prepares to rebrand the operation under their own banner.

The almost 77,500-tonne vessel, measuring 261 metres with capacity for 2,340 passengers and 855 crew, maintains a respectable 21-knot cruising speed. Previously known as the Dawn Princess during my earlier acquaintance with her, she faces an uncertain future—Carnival has announced her disposal by February's end, though whether to scrapyards or another operator remains undisclosed.

This last-minute decision to experience P&O's final chapter proved fortuitous in securing a suite on Deck 10's aft section, complete with sea-facing balcony. The three-port itinerary—Suva, Lautoka, and Dravuni Island—promised a relaxed Fijian exploration over eight days.

The boarding process at Queens Wharf demonstrated efficiency, with designated arrival times ensuring smooth progression through customs and security within fifteen minutes. However, cabin location proved challenging without staff guidance, leaving numerous passengers wandering corridors in search of their accommodations. Upon reaching our suite, bags awaited alongside steward Edward, who provided comprehensive cabin orientation.

The first disappointment emerged at the bar when attempting to utilise my purchased drinks package. Ordering a double vodka and soda, I was informed that only singles were permitted, with additional shots requiring payment. Furthermore, the package apparently restricted orders to thirty-minute intervals—a limitation that seemed inconsistently enforced throughout the voyage.

Timing our cruise a week before school holidays, we anticipated a peaceful adult-oriented experience. This expectation proved spectacularly misguided. Numerous parents had clearly withdrawn children from school early, resulting in an estimated 250 youngsters among the passenger complement. On a ship this size, such numbers transformed the Pantry buffet into chaotic stampedes with lengthy queues, lukewarm food, and circus-like atmosphere devoid of wine service.

Refuge came via the Waterfront restaurant, offering extensive à la carte menus for all meals in tranquil surroundings. Two additional included restaurants proved worthwhile: Dragon Lady serves Asian fusion cuisine with excellent dumplings and stir-fries, whilst Angelo's provides traditional Italian comfort food. Both require advance booking—a sometimes lengthy process but worth the effort.

However, the Waterfront's breakfast policies proved peculiar. Scrambled or fried eggs were readily available, but poached eggs required ordering Eggs Benedict at $15 NZD—otherwise, poached eggs were simply unavailable. The menu rotated infrequently, though a 'treat yourself' section offered premium options like 250-gram New York sirloin at $54 NZD or slow-cooked short ribs at $37 NZD—hardly budget-friendly additions.

Suva, Fiji's capital, provided our first port experience with 9:30 AM disembarkation and 5:30 PM departure, allowing eight hours ashore. Comprehensive tour options ranged from city exploration to beach days and river cruises. Lautoka, unusually included as a cruise port, offered identical timing and tour variety.

Dravuni Island represented the voyage's highlight for most passengers—a tropical paradise accessible only by tender. However, logistics proved challenging. Despite anchoring at 7:00 AM, passenger disembarkation continued until 10:30 AM, with final tenders departing the beach at 2:00 PM, leaving merely three hours on this stunning island.

Entertainment options included standard cruise fare—game shows, musical performances, and stage productions—supplemented by the Purple Rabbit's Black Circus at $48 NZD per person. Advertised as featuring world-class performers in an evening of magic, circus, comedy, and mild mischief, it represented typical cruise entertainment upselling.

The Seasoned Traveller's Verdict:

The Pacific Explorer's final P&O voyage embodied the adage 'you get what you pay for.' Whilst first-time cruisers appeared thoroughly entertained, experienced travellers might find the constant additional charges and family-focused atmosphere somewhat trying.

P&O Australia's demise after ninety years represents a significant loss for the regional cruise market. Whether Carnival's rebranding will maintain affordable cruising options in Australasian waters remains uncertain, though the need for budget-friendly operators in this region continues.

Despite frustrations with add-on charges and family-heavy demographics, the cruise provided enjoyable moments and adequate value for money. The crew's efforts, particularly steward Edward's attention to detail, demonstrated the personal service that distinguished P&O's approach.

For fellow seasoned travellers, this voyage served as a reminder that cruise experiences vary dramatically based on timing, passenger demographics, and realistic expectations. Whilst not representing premium cruising, P&O Australia fulfilled its role as an accessible entry point to cruise travel.

The Pacific Explorer's uncertain future mirrors the broader changes affecting the cruise industry at the time of writing. As established brands disappear and new operators emerge, the challenge remains maintaining quality whilst controlling costs—a balance P&O Australia struggled to achieve in its final years.

Postscript: The Final Curtain

As fate would have it, this voyage captured the Pacific Explorer during her final act. In June 2024, Carnival Corporation announced the complete shutdown of P&O Australia, with the Pacific Explorer scheduled for her last sailing—an 11-day farewell journey from Fremantle to Singapore departing February 7, 2025. Unlike her sister ships Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure, which will continue serving Australian waters under the Carnival Cruise Line banner, the Pacific Explorer will leave Carnival's fleet entirely. For those who sailed aboard her during her Princess Cruises days or remember her sister ships Dawn Princess, Sea Princess, and Sun Princess, this marks the end of an era. The 1997-built vessel that brought joy to countless passengers across nearly three decades will soon seek new horizons beyond Australian shores, making our final P&O voyage all the more poignant.