Cruise ship diverts from Darwin as impact of Middle East war hits home

A global conflict thousands of kilometres from the Territory is impacting our economy. Read how we’re being hit.

The Territory’s emerging cruise-ship sector has been dealt a blow, with the cancellation of Virgin Voyages’ ship the Resilient Lady’s return journey into Darwin.

A statement released by the Richard Branson-owned cruise company at the weekend advised passengers of the vessel’s revised route.

A Virgin Cruises spokesperson said attacks on foreign vessels by Houthi rebels based in Yemen were responsible for the route cancellation.

And there are no guarantees there won’t be further disruptions.

Resilient Lady berthed in Darwin in Novemberwith many of the 2700 passengers and 1160 crew spending a balmy build-up day in the Territory capital before resuming their voyage to Sydney.

The return leg was scheduled to return to Darwin on April 5, as part of repositioning the cruiser back to Athens in readiness for the European cruise season.

Resilient Lady berthed at Fort Hill Wharf in November.

Darwin was Virgin Voyages’ first ever Australian stop on the company’s inaugural visit.

In a statement, Virgin Voyages said it had been “watching the current conflict in the Middle East closely” along with global security experts and were “left with no choice” other than to make changes to the repositioning voyage beginning on March 27.

“We remain concerned about potential escalations in this part of the world over the next 12 months and the risk that this presents for safe passage through the region,” a company spokesperson said.

Instead of travelling north from Sydney via Airlie Beach, Cairns and Darwin on its return journey, Resilient Lady will now stop at Eden and Fremantle in Australia on its way to Africa’s west coast and eventually Athens.

“All passengers on these former three legs of the repositioning voyages will have guaranteed spots on these sailings at no additional cost and a price protection commitment in place,” Virgin’s statement said.

“We know that based on our conversations with passengers and travel partners, they understand the complex geopolitical challenges that have arisen making this change necessary.

“With the very likely continuation of this escalated regional conflict top-of-mind, and in an effort to minimise further disruptions to our passengers’ future holiday plans, Virgin Voyages is now conducting a full review of other geographically similar repositioning voyages and linked sailings.

“We will provide an update in the coming weeks on any further changes we will need to make.”

Virgin brand founder Richard Branson snubbed Darwin, but travelled to Sydney for Resilient Lady’s embarkation there in December.

Originally published as Cruise ship diverts from Darwin as impact of Middle East war hits home