Cruise ~ Sydney to Noumea & Back
To enlarge images, click on the featured image below or thumbnail images at the bottom, or view in slideshow mode.
Pacific Jewel was built by Fincantieri in Monfalcone, Italy as Crown Princess. She was launched on 25 May 1989. As designed, the vessel had a gross tonnage of 69,845, and a deadweight tonnage of 6,995 tons. She is 245.08 m (804 ft 1 in) long, with a beam of 32.25 m (105 ft 10 in), and a draft of 7.90 m (25 ft 11 in). Her distinctive curved profile—often referred to as 'dolphin-like'—was designed by Renzo Piano.
The Isle of Pines is nicknamed l'île la plus proche du paradis ("the closest island to Paradise") has snorkeling and scuba diving in and around its lagoon. Species of tropical fish and corals can be seen in the transparent water.
According to an Australian Governemt website, "The Sydney Opera House is Australia's most recognisable building and is an icon of Australia's creative and technical achievement. Since its completion in 1973 it has attracted worldwide acclaim for its design and construction, enhanced by its location on Bennelong Point within a superb harbour setting."
Each night, God put on a heavenly display in terms of goldn/orange sunsets. The 'golden hour' is the photographer's favorite time for capturing nature at her best.
On 27 August 2010, the soap opera, Neighbours, filmed scenes on board Pacific Jewel. Actors and crew took five hours to shoot on and around the vessel's running track and circus arena on the top deck. Some Pacific Jewel staff were given the chance to be extras in the scenes. Travel Blackboard reported that P&O expected Pacific Jewel's appearance on the show to generate more than $1 million worth of brand exposure to the Australian audience.
Port Vila is the capital and largest city of Vanuatu. The two propeller shafts are driven by four MAN-B&W 8L58/64 diesels, with a combined output of 24,000 kW and a maximum speed of 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph). The ship carries 1,910 passengers (maximum) The cruise ship was built at a cost of US$276.8 million.
Pacific Jewel at anchor - Isle of Pines. The Isle of Pines is nicknamed l'ile la plus proche du paradis ("the closest island to Paradise"). Discovered by Captain James Cook in 1774 on his second voyage to New Zealand. Cook gave the island its name after seeing the tall native pines (Araucaria columnaris). He never disembarked onto the island, but as he saw signs of inhabitance (smoke) assumed it was inhabited.