“You’re joking”: Thousands of passengers on a cruise ship that was bound for the ‘tropical’ pacific islands of Vanuatu and New Caledonia are on their way to Hobart today after a last minute itinerary change.
Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas ship, which left Brisbane on Tuesday for what was meant to be an advertised South Pacific tour, was forced to divert to the southernmost capital due to ‘dangerous cyclone conditions’ forming off the Queensland coast.
Passengers arriving to check in donned tropical shirts and summery attire, with some telling 9NEWS they weren’t even aware their destination had been changed – despite a midday email from the cruise line.
When asked if they’d packed the right clothes for the Tassie-trip, two passengers said “Yeah… Kinda…. We’ll be very cold in Hobart though, that’s for sure.”
In a statement, Royal Caribbean apologised for the last minute switch, saying the safety and comfort of guests is their top priority.
The ship is estimated to arrive in Hobart at around 8pm tonight to 17C temperatures and cloudy conditions.
