With over a thousand people watching on the shore and in small boats in the water, P&O Cruises’ Pacific Explorer Cruise ship entered Sydney Harbor, making it the first cruise ship the country has had in its waters in two years.
At around 9:30 am local time on April 18, the cruise ship was greeted by a traditional water cannon salute from three tug boats. The ship responded with a toot from its own horn.
The cruise ship returned to Australia in style, as it was adorned with a “We’re Home” banner hung across its front. The ship’s projection screen by the pool also sported the phrase, “G’Day Sydney.”
The Pacific Explorer is now docked at Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay, and it will undergo six-weeks of preparations ahead of its first revenue cruise on May 31.
During the preparation period, P&O will be onboarding 600 crew members to join the 250 that arrived in Sydney with the ship. They will also need to complete the required training on new protocols before the ship can be at operational status.
Australia lifted its ban on international cruise ships on April 17. The return of the cruise industry in the country will help generate about $5 billion to the economy.
