Royal Caribbean is changing itinerary due to port recovery

Royal Caribbean has informed guests booking an upcoming South Pacific cruise that a port of call will be replaced due to storm damage caused by a recent weather event on the island. The announcement came just days before the March 27 departure Quantum of the Seaswho is at home in Brisbane this season.

Cyclone damaged Port Vila

Royal Caribbean with 4,180 guests Quantum of the Seas changed its 8-day South Pacific itinerary, departing Brisbane on March 27 after Cyclone Judy struck the island of Efate, Vanuatu on March 1. The ship should voyage to Port Vila on the island of Efate with an overnight stay on 5 am.

The cyclone, a Category 4 storm, brought gale force winds and heavy rain to the region. Some parts of the island have been evacuated and the airport temporarily closed, according to news reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

Royal Caribbean’s message to guests reads: “Port Vila is still recovering from recent tropical weather conditions so we traded our visit for a day at sea. We’ve also added extra time in Noumea so you can make the most of your visit there! We apologize for any inconvenience.”

The notification clarified that all prepaid Royal Caribbean International shore excursions booked for Port Vila would be automatically refunded to guests’ original method of payment.

Sea day, port call added

Quantum of the Seas The original itinerary called for two days of cruising after her departure from Brisbane, followed by a call to Noumea, New Caledonia. The next day was to visit Port Vila followed by two more days at sea before heading back to Brisbane.

Under the new itinerary, two days at sea follow the departure from Brisbane, with the ship calling at Mystery Island, Vanuatu on day four. Day 5 will be at sea beforehand Quantum of the Seas visits Noumea with an extended call from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Two days of cruising will follow this call before the ship returns to Brisbane.

Mystery Island is a small uninhabited island near Aneityum Island in Vanuatu. There are no roads or electricity on the island, which can be explored on foot in under an hour. Guests can swim and snorkel on the desert island during the call from 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

Noumea, where the ship will dock for a 12-hour layover, is the Capital of New Caledonia and offers, among others, museums and market squares, as well as the Jean-Marie Tjibaou Cultural Center, the Noumea Cathedral and the Michel Corbasson Zoological and Forest Park.

Quantum of the Seas made headlines in late February when was a magician approached on stage by a cruise ship guest. The incident, which took place on the Brisbane cruise on February 26, 2023, was captured on video by other guests.

Magician Ben Murphy was performing a trick on a cruise ship guest on stage when another passenger rushed onto the stage and attacked him. No injuries were reported and Murphy continued his show after the incident.

Quantum of the Seas is one of two Royal Caribbean ships operating in the Australian market this season. The 4,180 guests Ovation of the Seas is based in Sydney and sails a series of 4 to 10 day voyages to New Zealand and Tasmania.