NZ volcano disaster: from dream voyage to tragedy

Excited holiday-makers — families, friends, newlyweds — posted photos from Sydney Harbour, the trip of a lifetime ahead.

The deserted pool on the Ovation of the Seas on Tuesday.

Excited holidaymakers — families, friends, newlyweds — posed for photographs on Sydney Harbour, posting on social media about the trip of a lifetime ahead.

That was a just a week ago, but for many aboard Royal Caribbean’s cruise ship Ovation of the Seas, it seems a lifetime away from the horror and tragedy they would face just days later.

Of the 47 people on White ­Island when its volcano erupted at 2.11pm on Monday, 38 were reportedly passengers from the Ovation, a 16-deck giant of the seas and the newest in Royal Caribbean’s Quantum Class of cruise ships.

Last Wednesday, some of these same holidaymakers boarded one of the world’s most modern pleasure ships for a 12-night cruise of New Zealand’s tourist hot spots.

 

“We’re off cruising … Bon voyage, everyone!” Sydneysider Kristine Langford posted cheerfully on Instagram. Ms Langford, husband Anthony and their teenage children, Jesse and Winona, are now among those missing.

Twenty-four Australians are understood to have taken the option of a trip to White Island and its active volcano. At $300 per person, the seven-hour tour was one of the priciest options offered to the 4000 or so Ovation passengers, but one marketed by Royal Caribbean as an “unforgettable” adventure.

It boasted of taking visitors so close to the volcanic action they might need to don breathing masks and hardhats. At 2.10pm on Monday, a GeoNet camera set to take pictures every 10 minutes captured an image of a number of people at the crater. It would take no more images, rendered inoperable by the eruption, which spewed hot rocks and boulders far and wide, and ash up to 3.6km into the blue sky.

“My god,” passenger Michael Schade tweeted. “My family and I had gotten off it (the island) 20 minutes before, were waiting at our boat about to leave when we saw it. Boat ride home tending to people our boat rescued was indescribable.”

Life on board, previously joyous and celebratory, turned to shock and confusion, followed by grief and despair. “A pretty sombre mood on Ovation of the Seas tonight,” tweeted Brisbane-based ABC journalist Donna Field, one of the passengers. “Everyone started today heading off to great adventures — sadly crew and guests who went to White Island haven’t made it back.”

It was not the kind of grand adventure those who paid $1500 to $3500 expected. After sailing from a smoky Sydney Harbour on the evening of Wednesday, December 4, the ship spent two days at sea.

Some passengers relaxed, others enjoyed the range of on-board entertainment, including the ship’s own spectacular ride, the North Star; a glass pod that offers 360-degree views as it gently ascends to 300 feet above sea level.

For the more active, there is a 40-foot rock climbing wall, a surf simulator and a skydiving, free-fall simulator.

 

The Bahamas-registered ship, built only three years ago, arrived at the Bay of Islands on Saturday morning, before cruising on to Auckland, where day trips were organised. It was to leave Tauranga on Monday night after more day trips — including to White Island — but as of late Tuesday remained at the North Island town, apparently at the request of NZ police, who have launched a criminal investigation into the deaths.

“The captain just told us we are staying another night here in Tauranga to allow police to do what they need to do on board the ship for victim identification,” passenger Julie Mayor posted on Facebook.

“We will head out to sea tomorrow morning for a changed itinerary before heading home.”

It was not clear if the ship would make all of its planned destinations before returning to Sydney on Monday.

“Everyone is in a bit of shock … trying to understand how someone’s magical holiday can come to such a tragic end,” said Field.

Additional reporting: agencies