An Australian company that was at the center of a “nightmare” cruise in which passengers were forced to tour Tasmania instead of New Zealand has been hit by more allegations.
A two-week New Zealand cruise by P&O Cruises Australia, euphemistically titled Pacific Adventure, which began on November 20, was disrupted when the ship was turned away by New Zealand border control, forcing the ship to change the last minute itinerary for a trip to Tasmania.
A company spokesperson confirmed to news.com.au that “the itinerary has changed and unfortunately guests on this current voyage will no longer be visiting New Zealand.”
According to the spokesperson, guests were notified before embarking on their 13-day trip that there could be “significant changes to the itinerary” due to New Zealand’s strict biosecurity requirements.
P&O Cruises Australia’s New Zealand cruise was thrown into chaos when New Zealand border control turned the ship away, forcing the ship to change itinerary at the last minute to a voyage to Tasmania.
“The ship left Sydney on Monday to clean the hull in the Bay of Plenty, however the weather did not allow this to happen so we apologize that the itinerary had to be altered,” the spokesperson said.
“A change in forecast conditions made it too dangerous for divers and we are therefore unable to gain clearance to enter New Zealand.
“Rather than sailing around New Zealand, Pacific Adventure is on its way to Tasmania and we hope guests enjoy their stay in Hobart, Port Arthur and Eden.”
The spokesperson said the guests had been offered “additional compensation” but did not specify what the compensation was.
An Australian who had a relative on the cruise told news.com.au that P&O did not offer passengers refunds or the opportunity to reschedule the trip.
“They mentioned the possibility of problems before the cruise left, but they didn’t offer a refund, so they did warn people, but they didn’t give them the option to reschedule,” the man said.
Passengers were forced to tour Tasmania instead of New Zealand. Nine News
A letter sent to passengers on November 24, seen by news.com.au, revealed that passengers were compensated with a $300 (US$197) onboard credit plus a 50 percent future cruise credit of the total cruise fare paid.
A man who had previously traveled with the company told news.com.au that what happened “was nothing new for P&O”.
“The exact same thing happened to us on the same cruise last February,” he said.
“We had to spend two days in the Bay of Plenty while divers cleaned the hull. “We missed all the visits to the North Island and some to the South Island.”
The man said the company was “obviously aware” of the problem previously and described it as “very poor planning.”
P&O did not offer refunds to passengers or the opportunity to reschedule the trip, a family member told a passenger. However, they were compensated with a $300 onboard credit plus a future cruise credit of 50 percent of the total cruise fare paid.
Other Australians vented on social media, with one person declaring they wanted a “full refund” and “get off this ship.”
“This is just shit covered in gold glitter. “My husband has asked for ET to bring him home,” said another.
“I honestly just want to go home,” another complained.
According to New Zealand’s Northern Regional Commissioner Mike Inglis, he told NZ TV that “concerning levels of biological contamination” had occurred on the Pacific Adventure ship.
“Our biosecurity regulations are in place to protect against pests such as the exotic caulpera, which can impact New Zealand’s environment, unique marine ecosystems, aquaculture industry and economy,” he said.
He said photographs sent by the ship’s operators showed “high risk organisms” that “could pose a risk to New Zealand if the ship sailed in our waters”.
“We know that cleaning the hull of a cruise ship is a difficult and complex task, often dictated by the weather,” he said.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn