I took my 1st CRUISE in over 2 YEARS! Pacific Explorer's First 2022 Cruise!

P&O Pacific Explorer is BACK - filmed aboard the first cruise in 2 years and 2 months! Hear about the Pacific Explorer's first cruise in 2 years and 2 months with interviews from passengers and stories from aboard.

Note: I was aboard as a guest of P&O Cruises but this video is not sponsored and the content was not reviewed by P&O Cruises prior to upload.

--

Australian cruising is finally back, with P&O Cruises’ Australian flagship Pacific Explorer being the first big ship to take Australians back to sea.

I was aboard the Pacific Explorer’s as a guest of P&O cruises so a huge thank you to P&O for the opportunity to experience the Pacific Explorers first passenger sailing.

The ship was docked at the White Bay Cruise terminal, one of the main cruise ports in Sydney. Despite this being the first P&O cruise in over two years, embarkation was simple with joining passengers asked to arrive in a staggered format to ensure minimal queues.

P&O Australia is using the Verifly app to help verify travel documents and reduce the time needed for check in.

The app took a while to get working properly, with several travellers I spoke to experiencing similar issues. However, on embarkation day it all worked fine and once we got past the app’s technical hurdles, we were able to log our COVID test results, ID documents and complete the health questionnaire before leaving our hotel. This made check in quite quick at the terminal.

My boarding group was the first for the day, and I was lucky to be among the first passengers to step back aboard Pacific Explorer in over two years which was exciting. My Big Cruise Podcast co-host Barry Downs was also aboard – arriving several hours later – and had a similarly smooth embarkation experience.

-- History --

Pacific Explorer started her career in 1997 as the Dawn Princess. The second in four Sun Class cruise ships, she sailed with Princess Cruises until 2017 when she was transferred to P&O Australia’s fleet.

The ship became the flagship of P&O Australia, and following the pandemic is the last of the Sun Class cruise ships in the Carnival Corp fleet, and currently the only ship sailing for P&O cruises. Pacific Explorer was given a large-scale overhaul when she transferred to P&O 5 years ago and was given additional updates during the cruise pause in 2020.

-- Review --

In many areas, Pacific Explorer appears like new, with dynamic carpeting and wall coverings transforming and modernising many spaces… I will go into in more detail in my video tour of the ship.

COVID has brought a few changes to life aboard the ship. Firstly, the vast majority of travellers need to be vaccinated – while a negative PCR or RAT test is required before boarding.

Once aboard, masks are required, but only when physical distancing can’t be achieved – so mainly in the show lounges and other crowded venues. Crew are on hand to pass out masks for those travellers who forgot – and if you ask me, wearing a mask is a small price to pay to be cruising again!

Boat drill has also changed. Gone are the days of carrying the lifejacket to your muster station. Now you simply present to your muster station sometime prior to the ship setting sail. Your cruise card is scanned, and you’re given a short 1:1 briefing. The ship’s general emergency signal is sounded before departure, and a video which you watch in the cabin is supposed to take care of the rest.

As the afternoon turned into evening, the top deck became a hive of excitement. Pacific Explorer’s open decks are home to swimming pools, an ice creamery and bars so there were lots of cheerful people counting down to departure.

We set sail and the ship made her way towards the Sydney Harbour Bridge as our Captain gave an emotional welcome over the PA. Then, as Pacific Explorer passed under the bridge for the first time since the shut down, the whistle sounded to cheers from all of us on deck!

During the course of the cruise we enjoyed the many amenities on the ship. Despite the long layup, the crew were amazing and I can honestly say that this was among the happiest and most attentive crew I’ve ever sailed with… from our cabin attendants to the restaurant staff and the enthusiastic cruise staff, everyone seemed genuinely delighted to be back at sea

--

• Thumbnail: P&O Cruises
• Thumbnail Arrow: Jesse Pinkman CC. BY. SA
• Footage of ship in Sydney: James Morgan
• Interviews: Barry Downs and Luke Morrison

--

#cruisenews #cruiseline #cruiseship #cruise

[ChrisFrameOfficial]

So excited to be back at sea! Have you gone cruising in 2022?

[RCKodak]

Luke seems so positive and happy to be on the ship. Great video. Nice to see you and Baz on the sea again.

[abacuscalculator]

Thank you for seeing us all through the pandemic with your wonderful content Chris. So happy you’re at sea again.

[abacuscalculator]

Great to see Barry from the Podcast there too.

[sarahg]

I certainly agree that a ship's first cruise after the pause in operations is very special. My experience was on SAGA Spirit of Discovery when we started making those first tentative steps back into cruising here in the UK in summer 2021. The atmosphere was fantastic with passengers and crew alike being excited to be back. Lots of celebratory touches onboard too! Thank you Chris for all your content during the pause. Found it so informative and interesting in a very confusing time 🚢🌟

[catherineb]

I am looking forward to you full cruise ship tour.

[aussiejohn]

Hi Chris, I was disappointed that she didn't depart from Circular Quay for her first cruise which would have given more people the opportunity to see her, however, I also think everyone should experience sailing under the bridge as it is truly spectacular. P&O have done a wonderful job converting her but she still has the familiar layout of most Princess ships. My first cruise for 2022 will be on Ovation of the Seas in October for a round trip New Zealand cruise from Sydney.

[SeaTravelr]

Sounds like you liked Pacific Explorer.. these ships were brand new when I was a travel agent.. I loved them and always wanted to sail in one of them.. Got to visit Oceana, former Ocean Princess, when a friend of mine was working on board.. Really love their intimate atmosphere... Looking forward to the tour video!!!

[Boeing_Luke]

It was such a amazing cruise!! The crew were incredible and the ship it’s self was just epic! Was great to be on board with you Chris. Cannot wait for the next one!

[noah.camarsh]

I was on the picnic adventure and explore.😊

[COLINJELY]

First two cruises aboard Dawn Princess, third aboard Pacific Explorer

[ar.]

I’ll have to get back to cruising soon p and o’s fleet is way better by the looks of it having the golden princess which is way more stable since I sailed on it in 2017 compared to my first p and o cruise on the aria which tilted 15 degrees in a 100km/h cross wind back in 2015 can’t wait to get back.

[richard]

So since you were guests of the cruise line do you think that your review maybe slightly tainted in favor of the cruise line since they paid for your cruise

[Tronblue]

Hey Chris what is the capacity that P & O have atm? Is it 50, 80 or 100% maximum?

[comedykeith]

As two seniors were there many kids abroad?

[josianelopessouza]

Hi Chris, I'm Brazilian and someone has impersonated you and is talking to me as if I were you!

[davidstevensasidewayslook]

You won't get me on a cruise again whilst you still have to wear a mask in any circumstances, hope you enjoyed your freebie….

[narevafood]

You have to spend $200 for transportation “white bay terminal” and in cruise you feel like you are in India 🇮🇳 not in Australia 😂😂😂, and the food in waterfront rubbish 🤮🤮🤮🤮drinking water chlorine and desserts all the same test only colour food and chocolate different,

[aussiewoman]

They have had plentyyyy of time to maintain the ship, when I got on after u got off, my shower head was broken and had to be replaced, my toilet button had to be pushed up to 8 times to flush, the windows in the waterfront restaurant were filthy, could hardly see out… it was a disgrace, also getting charged to see shows, and have pizza, and ice cream… won’t ever see me back on there ships, I’ll stick with princess, where everything is included….