Chaos Unleashed: Cruise Passengers Stranded at Sea After Cyclone Disruption

Passengers aboard Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas cruise ship faced unexpected delays as they were forced to remain at sea longer than planned due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Originally set to dock in Brisbane after a week of enjoyable sailing in the South Pacific, they instead found themselves back at Noumea in New Caledonia, hundreds of kilometers from their intended destination.

Initially, the passengers enjoyed beautiful weather and calm seas, but as rumors about the approaching cyclone circulated, concerns began to grow. One Australian passenger recalled how, just days before their scheduled return, the captain warned them to brace for rough seas and began securing deck furniture and closing pools.

On Wednesday, the captain announced an extension of their voyage, revealing that the Port of Brisbane was closed and that navigating the stormy waters would be impossible. Royal Caribbean had been closely monitoring the cyclone’s path and decided it was safest to stay at sea until the storm passed.

In a notice to passengers, the cruise line reassured them about their safety on board while expressing apologies for the sudden change in plans due to the weather. The updated schedule indicated that they would reach Brisbane on Monday, March 10, instead of the initially planned Friday, which left some passengers scrambling to make new travel arrangements.

While some guests welcomed the extra days on the cruise, others were anxious about the storm’s impact back home, especially those with homes in areas prone to flooding. Cyclone Alfred had weakened as it approached land but was still expected to cause widespread disruption, including flight cancellations and closures at both Brisbane and Gold Coast Airports.

The cruise line offered compensation for flight changes, allowing guests to make necessary adjustments as they awaited a new return plan.

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