Carnival, Royal Caribbean cancel voyages, ships stuck at sea
In the same way hurricane season spoils some Caribbean cruise vacations each year, a rare extreme weather event in another part of the world is currently obstructing cruises.
Some passengers sailing on Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise ships just got word that their weekend getaway cruises from one cruise port won't be happening as a severe weather system shuts down everything in its path.A rare Category 2 tropical cyclone has taken aim at Australia's southeastern coast. For the first time in many years, Brisbane is being directly impacted by a cyclone, causing the city to shut down trains, buses, and its port as it prepares for heavy rains, strong winds and flooding.
As Tropical Cyclone Alfred approaches Queensland, with landfall expected on Friday near Brisbane, cruise ships sailing to and from the Port of Brisbane must stay safely away until the weather system passes.
This means Carnival Luminosa and Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas, which homeport in Brisbane seasonally, are stuck at sea until the port can safely reopen.
Carnival Luminosa was expected to return to the port on March 6 with Quantum of the Seas following on March 7. The captains will keep both ships a safe distance away from the area until Tropical Cyclone Alfred passes. Passengers currently on board will enjoy a couple of extra days at sea until the ships are able to safely return to Brisbane once the port reopens.With the port closed until Saturday, March 8 at the earliest, both cruise lines were forced to cancel their next sailings on the ships. Both had three-day weekend getaway cruises scheduled that won't be able to happen.
On his Facebook page, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald shared a message that was sent to passengers who expected to board Carnival Luminosa in Brisbane on March 6. Royal Caribbean sent a similar communication to its passengers booked on Quantum of the Seas' March 7 weekend getaway cruise.'Our Fleet Operations Center continues to keep a close eye on Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Given its current track, the storm is expected to directly impact the Brisbane area in the coming days and the port is now closed as it prepares,' Carnival Cruise Line stated. 'Once the storm passes, officials must conduct a post-storm assessment before we can be cleared to safely return to port. We are anticipating that this process will take some time to complete, the earliest being Saturday, 8 March. Regrettably, we have no alternative but to cancel your voyage.'
The cruise line noted that all passengers booked on the sailing will receive a full refund for their cruise fares and all pre-purchased items.Carnival Cruise Line's brand ambassador added his own message for Carnival Luminosa passengers and all those in the Brisbane area, who unfortunately must prepare for the worst.
'Just as I do when something like this happens on our ships that sail from our North American home ports I would like to say how sorry I am for you all,' Heald wrote. 'I know you were looking forward so much to having Fun with us. I hope we will see you all re-booking and for now, most importantly please everyone in the Brisbane area, stay safe and let me know when you can how you are doing.'In the comments on the post, one passenger currently sailing on Carnival Luminosa shared a positive update from on board the ship.
'Hey John, we are on Luminosa now (extended days) your crew are amazing, we have been updated throughout the cruise with as much information as has been available,' Hayley Lock wrote. 'We know we are safe out here in the ocean. My love and thoughts are with family and friends and everyone in the areas of impact. Huge thanks to Carnival for making good decisions to keep us safe.'
(The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.)
, or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
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