'Rare weather event' forces cruise cancellations and leaves ships stuck at sea
It has been decades since a tropical cyclone has threatened this part of Australia.
Tropical Cyclone Alfred, dubbed a 'rare' weather event by meteorologists due to its location near south-east Queensland, Australia, has forced Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise ships to cancel cruises scheduled to set sail on Friday, March 7 due to the cyclone closing down the port.
"We have been monitoring the progression of Tropical Cyclone Alfred as it slowly moves toward Brisbane. Due to the development of the storm and the closure of the Port of Brisbane, the previous Quantum of the Seas sailing has been delayed returning to port. As a result, our 3-Night sailing has unfortunately been cancelled," reads part of an email sent to Royal Caribbean cruise patrons.
The earliest the port is expected to re-open is Saturday, March 8, but that depends on the weather conditions and the state of the port.
Passengers will receive a full refund for the cancelled cruises.
Alfred is expected to make landfall Friday near Brisbane as a Category 2 storm, with wind gusts up to 155 km/h.
Ships stuck at sea until further notice
The incoming storm has left the Carnival Luminosa and Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas cruise ships stuck at sea until Brisbane port re-opens. The ships were scheduled to return to the port on March 6 and 7, respectively. In the meantime, Captains will maintain a safe distance from the storm.
This results in passengers having a few extra days at sea. Royal Caribbean says it is providing free internet "to help them stay connected while adjusting to the unexpected changes."
Facebook comments on the page of John Heald, brand ambassador and senior cruise director of Carnival Cruise Lines, suggest morale appears to be high on the Luminosa.
"Spirits are high on Luminosa! I want to know when we can dock safely and I want to get back home after being away for 3 weeks, but I know we’re in good hands with Captain Vittorio and CD Zack!" reads one comment by Nathan Fisher.
"We are on Luminosa now (extended days), your crew are amazing, we have been updated throughout the cruise with as much information as has been available," reads another comment from a Facebook user named Hayley Lock.
"We know we are safe out here in the ocean. My love and thoughts are with family and friends and everyone in the areas of impact. Huge thanks to Carnival for making good decisions to keep us safe."
Rare weather event
A cyclone hasn't impacted southeast Queensland and northern New South Wales since 1974.
Cyclone Nancy in 1990 was the last cyclone to graze Brisbane, but it tracked south, avoiding a direct impact with the city, which as of 2023, had a population of around 2.7 million residents.
In response to Alfred, the city has shut down public transportation, closed schools, and ordered the evacuation of thousands.
Between 500 and 700 mm of rain are expected in some areas through Saturday, along with damaging winds.
Header image: File photo of Quantum of the Seas. (Frank Schwichtenberg/Wikipedia) CC BY-SA 4.0