Passengers Sue After 'Cruise from Hell' - Here’s What Happened
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Ah, the romance of the open sea! There's nothing quite like the relaxation and indulgence that comes with taking a cruise, especially to some of the world's most breathtaking destinations.
Whether it's a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life or an opportunity to explore exotic locales, cruising is a popular leisure activity that appeals to many.
There's nothing quite as exciting as embarking on a luxurious cruise to explore the stunning South Pacific islands.
But as one group of travellers found out, things can quickly take a turn for the worse, even on the most well-planned trips.
In 2017, passengers aboard the P&O Pacific Aria's South Pacific cruise from Brisbane to Noumea and Vanuatu experienced a harrowing ordeal when the vessel sailed directly into the path of a Category 5 cyclone.
What should have been a dream holiday turned into a nightmare for those on board, and the incident has since been dubbed the ‘cruise from hell’.
In the aftermath of the traumatic experience, a class-action lawsuit has been filed against the cruise operator's parent company, Carnival PLC, by a Brisbane-based law firm, Carter Capner Law.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages and a refund on their cruise fares in response to the traumatic events that unfolded on their ill-fated voyage.
'Before departure, a cyclone warning had been issued for Vanuatu as had a forecast that the category 3 cyclone was heading in the direction of Noumea,’ remarked Peter Carter, Director of Carter Capner Law.
According to Mr Carter, despite warnings of an incoming cyclone prior to departure, passengers on the May 5th sailing were not given the option to cancel their voyage.
Additionally, on arrival at Noumea, travellers said the ship was forced to dock in an industrial port due to the high winds, with the storm increasing to Category 5 levels on May 8th. The city was in lockdown ahead of the storm, with no attractions open for tourists.
Mr Carter continued: ‘On arrival at Noumea the ship was required to dock in the industrial port due to the high winds rather than at the cruise ship terminal.’
‘Nothing was open in the city as Noumea was in lockdown for the arrival of the cyclone, and several passengers left the ship in Noumea because of the terrible sea conditions they had experienced and flew back to Brisbane.’
When the vessel left Noumea, passengers reported terrifying scenes of water crashing over both sides of the Pacific Aria as they headed towards Vanuatu.
'This was truly a cruise from hell, with many passengers so scared they confined themselves to their cabin,' he added.
Photos and video captured aboard the ship show broken crockery and flooding, with the pool violently sloshing about.
It should also be noted that the ocean conditions became so severe that the next two stops on the cruise were cancelled.
While Carnival Australia has yet to make a statement in light of the ongoing court case, it is commendable that the affected passengers are standing up for their rights.
There you have it, folks. This story highlights the importance of being well-informed about potential weather risks and the practices of cruise lines when planning your holiday.
The key takeaway from this story is to check weather forecasts and warnings before booking your trip and to ensure that your travel company provides coverage in case of mistakes, poor weather or emergencies.
It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to spending your hard-earned money.
If you find yourself in a situation like the unfortunate cruise-goers, it's crucial to report all the details to your travel or insurance company.
Do you have any tips for staying safe during your cruise holidays? Share them with us in the comments section below!
Whether it's a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of daily life or an opportunity to explore exotic locales, cruising is a popular leisure activity that appeals to many.
There's nothing quite as exciting as embarking on a luxurious cruise to explore the stunning South Pacific islands.
But as one group of travellers found out, things can quickly take a turn for the worse, even on the most well-planned trips.
In 2017, passengers aboard the P&O Pacific Aria's South Pacific cruise from Brisbane to Noumea and Vanuatu experienced a harrowing ordeal when the vessel sailed directly into the path of a Category 5 cyclone.
What should have been a dream holiday turned into a nightmare for those on board, and the incident has since been dubbed the ‘cruise from hell’.
In the aftermath of the traumatic experience, a class-action lawsuit has been filed against the cruise operator's parent company, Carnival PLC, by a Brisbane-based law firm, Carter Capner Law.
The plaintiffs are seeking damages and a refund on their cruise fares in response to the traumatic events that unfolded on their ill-fated voyage.
'Before departure, a cyclone warning had been issued for Vanuatu as had a forecast that the category 3 cyclone was heading in the direction of Noumea,’ remarked Peter Carter, Director of Carter Capner Law.
According to Mr Carter, despite warnings of an incoming cyclone prior to departure, passengers on the May 5th sailing were not given the option to cancel their voyage.
Additionally, on arrival at Noumea, travellers said the ship was forced to dock in an industrial port due to the high winds, with the storm increasing to Category 5 levels on May 8th. The city was in lockdown ahead of the storm, with no attractions open for tourists.
Mr Carter continued: ‘On arrival at Noumea the ship was required to dock in the industrial port due to the high winds rather than at the cruise ship terminal.’
‘Nothing was open in the city as Noumea was in lockdown for the arrival of the cyclone, and several passengers left the ship in Noumea because of the terrible sea conditions they had experienced and flew back to Brisbane.’
When the vessel left Noumea, passengers reported terrifying scenes of water crashing over both sides of the Pacific Aria as they headed towards Vanuatu.
'This was truly a cruise from hell, with many passengers so scared they confined themselves to their cabin,' he added.
Photos and video captured aboard the ship show broken crockery and flooding, with the pool violently sloshing about.
It should also be noted that the ocean conditions became so severe that the next two stops on the cruise were cancelled.
While Carnival Australia has yet to make a statement in light of the ongoing court case, it is commendable that the affected passengers are standing up for their rights.
Key Takeaways
- A class-action lawsuit has been lodged against P&O’s parent company, Carnival PLC after a cruise sailed into a category 5 cyclone.
- Passengers on the P&O Pacific Aria were not given the option to cancel despite cyclone warnings issued prior to departure.
- The lawsuit seeks damages for disappointment, frustration, discomfort, and distress, as well as a refund of the cruise fare paid by each passenger.
- Carnival Australia declined to comment while the matter is before the courts.
There you have it, folks. This story highlights the importance of being well-informed about potential weather risks and the practices of cruise lines when planning your holiday.
The key takeaway from this story is to check weather forecasts and warnings before booking your trip and to ensure that your travel company provides coverage in case of mistakes, poor weather or emergencies.
It's always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to spending your hard-earned money.
If you find yourself in a situation like the unfortunate cruise-goers, it's crucial to report all the details to your travel or insurance company.
Do you have any tips for staying safe during your cruise holidays? Share them with us in the comments section below!