P&O Cruises cancels next Pacific Star cruise

Monday, 16 July 2007

P&O Cruises cancels next Pacific Star cruise

P&O Cruises has cancelled Pacific Star’s next cruise from Auckland, scheduled to depart this Wednesday (July 18), to allow further inspection of the ship in Brisbane later this week.

P&O Cruises Australia Chief Executive Officer Ann Sherry said the 1,160 passengers booked on the 10 night cruise to the Fijian Islands and Tonga would be given a full refund and a 25 per cent future cruise credit.

Ms Sherry said the company regretted the inconvenience caused to passengers and apologised for the late cancellation of their holiday. The company is contacting passengers directly as well as travel agents to advise of these changes.

Pacific Star is berthed in Port Vila, following the cancellation of her present cruise after the storm.

“We are extremely disappointed at having to cancel the current cruise and next scheduled cruise and apologise to our passengers. However, we have made this decision with the best interests of our passengers’ comfort and safety in mind,” Ms Sherry said.

Pacific Star is expected to sail for Australia late Wednesday, after all passengers have been disembarked from the ship, and is due to arrive in Brisbane by Friday for a full inspection and repairs if necessary.

Some windows, external doors and the ship’s satellite equipment were damaged during the storm after Pacific Star departed from Auckland last Tuesday. There was also some damage to the bow, however, the ship’s safety was never compromised.

“We have cancelled Pacific Star’s next cruise because she will not be back in Auckland in time for her next departure on Wednesday,” Ms Sherry said.

“It has been a major logistical exercise to progressively disembark 1,200 passengers and arrange flights and accommodation, with the final passengers expected to have left the ship on Tuesday.

“In addition, we want to continue our inspection of Pacific Star once she is in Brisbane as a precautionary measure to ensure no further damage was sustained during the storm.”

Passengers who cruised from Auckland on Pacific Star last week are being flown home from Vila and Noumea over the next few days. They have been given a full refund and a 25 per cent credit on a future cruise holiday.

ENDS

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