SAFE HAVEN: Vanuatu cyclone diverts cruise ship to Port Douglas
SHIP TOURISM
A category five cyclone in Vanuatu has caused the diversion of a Carnival Line cruise ship to Port Douglas tomorrow.
Originally headed for the Pacific Islands, the Carnival Luminosa departed Brisbane on Sunday afternoon but had to have its schedule dramatically altered when a tropical depression quickly developed into Cyclone Lola near Vanuatu.
Lola was expected to hit many of Vanuatu’s outlying towns and provinces but not the capital Port Vila, with windspeeds of up to 215kph at its centre.
The first two days of the 2800-capacity Carnival Luminosa’s seven-night cruise at sea were able to go ahead as planned, but the remainder of the ship’s itinerary was changed to include Port Douglas.
Originally, Carnival Luminosa was scheduled to visit Lifou, New Caledonia on Wednesday, October 25, followed by Mystery Island, Vanuatu on Thursday, and Noumea, New Caledonia on Friday.
After one more day at sea, the ship should return to Brisbane on Sunday, October 29.
Royal Princess’ debut Port Douglas visit
Following the Carnival ship a few days later will be a larger cruise liner in Port Douglas on Sunday, as the destination welcomes for the first time one of the largest cruise ships in the Princess Cruises fleet.
The Royal Princess is on its debut Australian cruise, which left Sydney on Monday night
and also takes in Brisbane, Cairns and the Whitsundays.
The maiden call at Port Douglas could mean a major boost of visitors for the day – the ship having a capacity of 3600 passengers.
Princess Cruises Senior Vice President Asia Pacific, UK and Europe Stuart Allison said:
“We’re excited to have such an impressive regal visitor in our waters this summer and look forward to welcoming our New Zealand guests on board.”
The Royal Princess will be in Port Douglas from 7.00am until 6pm on Sunday.
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