‘Mad’: Schoolies cruise goes badly wrong

Two young woman who saved for over two years to go on a cruise to New Zealand to celebrate their graduation have now been forced to tour Tasmania.

A trip of a lifetime for Schoolies has turned into a “nightmare” after a New Zealand cruise by P & O Cruises Australia was rejected by border security.

Brisbane best friends Charlotte Lynton, and Alyssa Lyle, both 18, had foregone the typical Schoolies experience and instead were celebrating graduation on a 13-day NZ cruise which began on November 20.

The girls told news.com.au they had worked for two years at KFC and McDonald’s to save for the trip.

“It was very hard to make the money to go as the cruise cost $2000 itself excluding extra expenses like; drinks, shore tours and internet so we had to sacrifice buying many things and going out with friends so we could go on the cruise,” they said.

The P & O cruise – Pacific Adventure – was set to cruise around New Zealand for 13 days. Picture: Facebook/P&O

Inside the Pacific Adventure. Picture: Frankie Ford

Passengers were advised a few days in advance that they would miss one day of travel in New Zealand for hull cleaning after an invasive species was detected.

But, the itinerary changed dramatically while in New Zealand waters after bad weather prevented the maintenance work and the ship was rejected at the border for biosecurity issues.

Guests were given a 50 per cent cruise credit to use on future cruises as well as an extra $300 on-board credit with the ship now on its way to Tasmania to tour Hobart, Eden and Port Arthur.

Passenegrs on board the cruise which will arrive in Hobart today. Picture: Frankie Jenson

That has now changed to a 50 per cent refund of the cruise.

The pair now plan to disembark in Hobart and fly back home, incurring extra costs, adding passengers were “mad” and “restless” after being cooped up on the boat for eight days.

“We have no interest in staying on a ship that was meant to tour around New Zealand but is now going to Hobart, Port Arthur and Eden … however due to this we have had to pay extra expenses of accommodation in Hobart, changed flights to fly home and Uber for travel.”

‘Pure hell’

A mum who has two daughters on the cruise described the ordeal as “hellish” to news.com.au.

“The notification came from P & O late on the 16th only a few days out from the cruise,” she said.

“When you have already paid for airfares and a motel in Sydney you don’t have a choice but to continue as you won’t get this money back.”

She said her two teenage daughters (17 and 19 years old) saved for six months to go on the adventure together.

“Country kids, one at uni and one about to go into grade 12 … It has unfortunately been nothing but a big disappointment,” she said.

David Curtis says passengers have been ‘kidnapped’. Picture: Supplied

Frankie and Matt Ford described it as a ‘pretty good deal’. Picture: Supplied

Ship in ‘uproar’

David Curtis, 60, told news.com.au there was “uproar on the ship” and said it was very disappointing to miss all of the planned New Zealand ports advertised on the cruise — Bay of Islands, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin and Fiordland National Park.

It could have been worse

A Sydney couple who had planned their dream wedding at Hobbiton – the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings movie set – near Wellington and were on board the cruise had to cancel their wedding.

“First off, I was furious. I saw Janine’s face when we got the news. I was ready to explode,” Kyle Risk told the ABC.

“I got a selfie from our family and friends at the site in Hobbiton we should have been on about 20 minutes before we had to turn around.”

“We accepted a flight back to Sydney. It’s not the best outcome, but it at least gets us off the boat and on our way back to the comfort of home.”

Not everyone has been critical though.

Passenger Frankie Ford told news.com.au: “I don’t know about you but $900 for a 13-day cruise where the crew has even absolutely lovely and very attentive is a pretty good deal.”

“I can’t wait to arrive in Hobart where all the negative Nancy’s who think we live in a world of sunshine and rainbows get off and the rest of us who accept the world isn’t perfect and understand that there is a risk involved in all travel, can go on with the rest of our well-deserved holiday.”

The couple’s wedding at Hobbiton was cancelled after a P & O cruise was turned away from New Zealand. Picture supplied to ABC News

Unavoidable, says cruise company

P & O Cruises Australia told news.com.au that guests were notified before embarking that there could be significant changes to the itinerary, due to New Zealand’s strict biosecurity requirements.

“The ship left Sydney on Monday for hull cleaning off the Bay of Plenty, however the weather didn’t allow this to happen, so we apologise that the itinerary has had to be amended,” the spokesman said.

“A change in the forecast conditions made it too dangerous for divers, and therefore we are unable to gain clearance to enter New Zealand.

“In lieu of sailing around New Zealand, Pacific Adventure is on her way to Tasmania, and we hope guests will enjoy their time in Hobart, Port Arthur and Eden.

“Guests have been offered additional compensation in light of this change to their itinerary.”

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