Cape Town's harbour was buzzing with excitement as the Pacific World cruise ship, formerly known as the Sun Princess, glided into the Cruise Terminal, marking another stop on its global journey with the Japan-based Peace Boat initiative.
More than just a luxurious liner, the Pacific World carries a powerful mission: to spread messages of peace, sustainability, and global cooperation. As part of a floating classroom operated by the Peace Boat NGO, the vessel hosts educational programmes, cultural exchanges, and human rights workshops as it travels the globe, as reported by Smile FM .
The ship, which once made waves as the star of TV's Love Boat: The Next Wave, is no stranger to the spotlight. Built in 1995, it was one of the largest cruise ships of its time and later grabbed headlines in 2007 for narrowly clearing Sydney Harbour Bridge, squeezing underneath with just 2.5 metres to spare.
Now in its second life, Pacific World has been repurposed for a different kind of voyage. After a major refurbishment and rebranding five years ago, the vessel was acquired by Peace Boat and became the largest ship to ever serve in the NGO's 40-year history.
With nine passenger decks and a wide array of facilities, the ship provides travellers from all walks of life a platform to connect over pressing global issues while sailing across continents.