A powerful earthquake shook Port Vila, Vanuatu on Dec. 17 killing more than a dozen people and causing major damage in the capital city of the island nation in the South Pacific Ocean.
The magnitude 7.3 earthquake killed at least 14 people and injured hundreds more as it flattened buildings and left widespread destruction. The earthquake was followed by multiple significant aftershocks in the area that could continue to rattle the city for weeks.
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A popular cruise destination known for its pristine beaches and lush rainforests with hidden waterfalls, Port Vila receives regular cruise ship visits from a number of cruise lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival and P&O Cruises Australia. Each of these cruise lines now must scramble to adjust their schedules to divert their ships from the port and keep passengers updated on the uncertain situation.
Given the severity of the damage to Port Vila and the seven-day state of emergency declared to limit the public’s movement while rescue operations are under way, cruise ship visits to the port are currently not possible.
It’s unclear how long calls to Port Vila will need to be suspended as the city recovers from the earthquake. Cruise lines will keep in contact with local authorities to determine when they can safely resume calls to the port.
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Royal Caribbean calls on Vanatu.
Image source: Shutterstock
Cruise ships diverted to Vanuatu’s Mystery Island
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas, sailing from Brisbane, Australia, was calling on Vanuatu’s Mystery Island at the time of the earthquake. Passengers on the ship experienced light tremors during the earthquake but no injuries were reported. Quantum of the Seas was scheduled to call to Port Vila on Dec. 18 but was diverted back to Mystery Island.
P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Encounter and Pacific Adventure were scheduled to visit the port on Dec. 21 and Dec. 22, respectively. Both ships are expected to spend an extra day at sea. Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Luminosa, which was expected to call to the port on Dec. 23, will instead visit Mystery Island.
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Vanuatu’s Mystery Island is a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Aneityum Island known for its white sand beaches, exceptional snorkeling and deserted island feel. Cruise ships regularly visit Mystery Island, but the tiny island may see extra traffic in the near future as cruise lines adjust future itineraries to replace calls to Port Vila.
More South Pacific cruise itinerary changes are likely
Cruise lines sailing in the region will continue to monitor the situation in Port Vila closely and notify passengers as more information becomes available. Changes to more South Pacific cruise itineraries are possible as cruise lines prioritize passenger safety and support Port Vila’s recovery.
When a cruise ship must skip a port, cruise lines will make reasonable efforts to replace the missed port with another destination, but sometimes another option isn’t available. In that case, the ship will spend an additional day at sea.
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Cruise lines are required to provide refunds to passengers for any port fees and taxes associated with the missed port of call. Passengers will also typically receive full refunds for any shore excursions booked through the cruise line that were to take place in the destination.
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