Australian bushfires impact cruise industry from Kangaroo Island to Eden
The cruise industry in Australia has had to be agile in the face of the bushfire crisis.
The ongoing bushfire catastrophe is affecting cruises across southeastern Australia. From altered itineraries to abandoned holidays, cruise travellers have never experienced such a range of consequences due to fires. The international cruise industry is also assisting in unprecedented ways to help wherever possible.
A couple of weeks ago I was onboard CMV’s Vasco da Gama when the massive blaze erupted on Kangaroo Island. At 4am, I was woken by the unsettling smell of smoke, despite all cabin doors and windows being firmly closed. After checking for fire, I awaited the captain’s announcement that our visit had been cancelled. The ship anchored off the coast and remained on standby in case it was needed to evacuate people from the island. By afternoon, local SeaLink ferries had rescued hundreds of residents and tourists, so we were cleared to sail to our next destination. Later we learned that two people had died — bush pilot Dick Lang, a pioneer of outback tourism, and his son, Clayton, a surgeon.
Silversea’s Silver Muse also changed course to help the poor souls stranded on the beach at Mallacoota in Victoria. The ship turned back and sailed through hours of thick smoke, but authorities sent it away as they were not ready for an evacuation.
Kangaroo Island’s ongoing fires forced Germany’s AIDAaura to divert to Adelaide on January 5, Golden Princess to stay overnight in Port Lincoln on January 6, and Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth to spend the day at sea on January 8. Princess Cruises’ Sun Princess is scheduled to visit this Sunday if conditions are favourable; it would be the first ship to return to the island since the disaster occurred.
Eden, on the south coast of NSW, has been the other hardest hit cruise port as fires ravage the popular road-trip region. The $30 million wharf extension, just completed last July, is still standing but several ships skipped scheduled stops. Instead of visiting Eden on January 3, Holland America Line’s Noordam called at Burnie, Tasmania, with the town given 24 hours’ notice to prepare for an influx of 2000 passengers. A few days later, Oceania Cruises’ Regatta bypassed the port and continued on its way to Melbourne.
The next cruise ship booked for Eden is NCL’s Norwegian Jewel on January 24, with the visit scheduled to go ahead, subject to any change in conditions. February sees multiple dates booked by P&O, Dream Cruises, Regent Seven Seas, Holland America, Oceania and Silversea.
While we can thank our lucky ships that passengers and crew have not been injured, it takes a team effort to keep everyone safe. Cruise lines liaise with country fire services, port agents, tourism boards and tour operators to decide the best plan when sailing in impacted areas. The industry has also contributed vast sums to bushfire relief funds, from Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ $250,000 to Carnival Corporation’s $1.25 million. Staff and guests aboard various ships have also raised thousands of dollars for the cause.
In other cities, the polluted air is affecting cruisers too. Sunrise arrivals and sunset departures are often conducted under a burnt orange or glowing red sky. On Sydney’s smokiest day in December, when Carnival Splendor first arrived in Australia, the celebrations were somewhat subdued and largely indoors but we still managed to enjoy the pool party when a southerly change blew through.
Despite the cancellations, Australia remains a safe cruising destination, and cruise lines are mindful not to increase the pressure on surrounding areas by unloading thousands of travellers for the day. The disaster will have serious implications for future tourism but we should carry on cruising. When the worst of the danger is over, these communities and businesses will need visitors more than ever.
Louise Goldsbury is managing editor of Cruise Critic Australia.
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