Cruise passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas found themselves on an unexpected extended vacation after ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred threw their return plans into chaos. What was supposed to be a week-long South Pacific cruise turned into a weather-dodging adventure as Brisbane’s port closure forced the massive ship to change course.
At a glance:
• Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas cruise was extended by three days due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred
• The ship left Brisbane on February 28 and was redirected to Noumea, New Caledonia instead of returning as scheduled
• Brisbane’s port closure prevented the ship from docking on its originally planned return date
• Royal Caribbean offered compensation of $200 for domestic flight changes and $400 for international changes
• Over 320,000 homes in southeast Queensland and northern NSW lost power due to the cyclone
Cruise Ship Forced to Extend Journey
What began as a typical South Pacific cruise from Brisbane on February 28 quickly transformed into an unexpected extended voyage for passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas. The massive cruise ship was originally scheduled to return to Brisbane on Friday after a week at sea exploring the South Pacific.
If they’d have stayed, they could have endured rocky scenes like that seen below in an “Explorer of the Seas” cruise experience…but far worse. Cyclones, after all, are deadly.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred had other plans for the passengers, forcing the closure of Brisbane’s port and leaving cruise officials scrambling to ensure passenger safety. Royal Caribbean made the decision to redirect the ship to Noumea, New Caledonia, extending the cruise until Monday, March 10.
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Passengers Warned About Rough Conditions
The ship’s Captain kept passengers informed as weather conditions deteriorated around the vessel. “On Tuesday, the Captain made an announcement saying we were going to try and go over Noumea to avoid what we could of the cyclone, but told everyone to prepare for it to be really rough,” an Australian passenger told the media.
The same passenger later described how plans continued to change as the situation evolved. “On Wednesday around lunchtime, the Captain made another announcement saying they had decided to extend the cruise as the Port of Brisbane was closed and there was no way of getting through the seas, let alone docking at Brisbane.”
Royal Caribbean’s team closely monitored the developing storm to ensure passenger safety throughout the ordeal. “Along with our Chief Meteorologist, we have been closely monitoring the progression of Cyclone Alfred,” a Royal Caribbean spokesman stated in an official response to the situation.
The cruise line took several steps to assist passengers affected by the unexpected extension, including offering compensation for flight changes. Royal Caribbean provided $200 for domestic flight changes and $400 for international flight changes to help offset costs incurred by the delay.
While passengers faced travel disruptions, the situation ashore was far more serious as the cyclone battered coastal regions. Over 320,000 homes in southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales lost power due to the storm, with Gold Coast residents experiencing the worst of the impacts.
Cruise officials made their safety priorities clear in a notice to passengers. “Due to the development of the storm and the closure of the Port of Brisbane, we have decided to remain at sea and safely away from the storm until it moves ashore by week’s end,” the company explained in its communication to those onboard.
