Cruise Passengers Stranded After Ship Damage
Monday, July 16, 2007
According to reports, P and O Cruises is trying to find charter flights for hundreds of passengers on a storm-damaged cruise liner stranded in Vanuatu. The Pacific Star was battered by gale force winds and waves only hours after it left leaving Auckland. The Pacific Star ran into a wild storm that damaged the ship's bow, as well as some windows, doors and satellite equipment. Many of the 1,200 passengers on board were sea sick, some questioning why the cruise was not postponed.

The ship canceled a scheduled visit to New Caledonia and made instead for Port Vila from where P and O Cruises is now trying to arrange return flights for its shaken holiday makers who will all receive refunds. Source:ABC news

Wow, that must have been some storm. I wonder why the captin did not change course or postpone leaving Auckland? Or did the storm "come out of nowhere"? Any more info anyone? Tom G?

Here\'s a link to an article with the press release.

Oh my! Thanks for the link, Robert!

Here is the Pacific Star\'s webcam, it must be night in Vanuatu right now.

Editing to add, I just checked the World clock and I don't think it is night time there :(

We've been to Vanuatu while on the PG last year. No idea where they are going to put all those poor people. I only remember it as they had an "underwater" post office. You stamped your mail and they dove underwater to post it, then it was picked up by boat and diver. Guess I'm challenged but I never quite got that. It was neat to send people post cards from there though! Sure hope they can get them charters out. Nice place to visit but.......not more than a few hours...