Cruise ships force to change route due to Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle

Cruise ships have been turned around and diverted as Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle churns through the Coral Sea. But “as long as the bars open”, passengers are embracing the disruptions.

• Cyclone watch: Gabrielle now category 3 storm

Dream holidays are in turmoil as Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle wreaks havoc on the high seas, with one cruise ship turned around and another re-routed from the tropics to Tasmania.

Gabrielle formed in the Coral Sea about 800km off Cairns on Wednesday morning and developed into a category three system on Friday.

Cruise ship Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas was forced to change as it departed from Brisbane, announcing it would sail to Sydney then Tasmania instead of the South Pacific.

It left passengers, who had packed expecting tropical conditions, in a spin.

“Nooooo … I want heat … I want overseas, not bloody Sydney or Tassie,” Julie Knight posted on Facebook. “I only have summer clothes.”

A Quantum of the Seas spokeswoman said the safety of guests, crew and communities they visited was their top priority.

“Royal Caribbean International is closely monitoring tropical cyclone Gabrielle,” they said.

Carnival Luminosa, which was bound for the tropical paradise of Lifou in New Caledonia, turned around just after midnight Tuesday and started its journey back to Brisbane.

Stunned passengers captured the moment the ship did a U-turn in the middle of the night.

“So this is happened in the last hour,” Toni Nightingale posted on the Carnival Luminosa Facebook forum.

“Not a lot of information available as to what happens next. Suffice to say we’re not going Lifou tomorrow.”

The moment Carnival Luminosa turned around and started its journey back to Brisbane. Picture: Facebook

In a letter to passengers, the ship’s captain Carmelo Marino announced they would deviate from their current course to remain a safe distance from the developing cyclone.

“Regrettably, given the forecasted path of the storm, we will not be able to deliver our planned South Pacific itinerary,” Captain Marino wrote.

The looming cyclone and sudden change in plans caused some panic on the mainland, but on board passengers were far from concerned.

The Carnival Luminosa cruise ship.

“Can you please hurry up and get home to Brisbane asap. Category 3 cyclone about to hit this afternoon/Friday morning,” Jade Dodds posted on the cruise Facebook forum.

“Please bring everyone back safely. I want my hubby home.”

The first response to Ms Dodds’ post captured the sense of calm on the cruise ship.

“We’re having fun. We’re doing fine,” Liz Ann posted with a photo of the ship’s pool.

The scene on Carnival Luminosa as it started its journey back to Australia. Picture: Facebook

To help ease the disappointment, passengers received $200 of on-board credit and 50 per cent off future cruises. Many were making the most of it.

“As long … as the bar is open I don’t care where we go,” one passenger said.

And fears of wild seas making for a rough journey home never eventuated.

Calm seas as Carnival Luminosa returns to Australia. Picture: Facebook

An announcement on the loudspeaker on Thursday afternoon revealed the ship was headed towards New South Wales to avoid rough seas near Brisbane on Friday morning.

The ship will reverse its course on Friday afternoon and head north to Brisbane.

Carnival Luminosa off of Byron Bay on Thursday afternoon. Picture: Facebook

Luminosa is scheduled to arrive at the Brisbane Pilkot Station about 2.30am Sunday before passengers disembark at 8am.

Originally published as Cruise ships force to change route due to Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle