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Cruise ships cancel calls as state of emergency declared in New Caledonia

P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Adventure, currently on a 10-day round cruise from Sydney to the South Pacific, will no longer call at New Caledonia following a state of emergency declared Thursday after deadly riots.

Helen Hutcheon, Australasia correspondent

May 17, 2024

1 Min Read
CRUISE New Caledonia Photo Pixabay
Cruise ships are steering clear of New Caledonia, where a state of emergency was declared following riotsPHOTO: MICHAEL BARAGWANATH/PIXABAY

Pacific Adventure was due to visit Lifou May 19 and Noumea May 20, before returning to Sydney on May 23.

The company said its passengers will now spend an additional day at Vanuatu’s Mystery Island.

The riots in New Caledonia, an overseas territory of France, were sparked by moves to introduce new voting laws that independence supporters say discriminate against indigenous Kanaks who make up around 40% of the population.

Monitoring the situation

‘We continue to closely monitor the situation in Noumea and surrounding areas and are in contact with the relevant authorities,’ a P&O Cruises Australia statement said.

‘The safety of our guests and crew is paramount and should we need to make any further changes to upcoming itineraries due to the current situation we will let our guests know as soon as possible.

‘Our thoughts are with the communities of New Caledonia at this challenging time and we thank our guests for their understanding.’

Carnival avoids Noumea

Carnival Cruise Line also revised the itinerary for Carnival Splendor’s nine-night round South Pacific voyage due to depart Sydney Sunday.

The cruise will now stop at Santo and Port Vila in Vanuatu instead of its scheduled call at Noumea.

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P&O Cruises Australia

About the Author

Helen Hutcheon

Australasia correspondent

Helen Hutcheon did her cadetship on a shipping magazine and worked in P&O’s Sydney office for seven years as a public relations journalist.

For 19 years she was deputy editor of Travel Week, which was Australia’s leading trade newspaper that covered major local and international industry events.

In 2008 the late legendary Rama Rebbapragada presented her with an award from Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd ‘in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the cruising industry.’

In 2010 she won the Neil Frazer Award for ‘outstanding contribution to the cruise industry,’ elevating her to CLIA Australasia’s hall of fame.

She has been the Australasia correspondent for Seatrade Cruise Review since 1997 and for Seatrade Insider (now Seatrade Cruise News) since its launch in 2000.

 

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