Carnival cruise ship cancels Moreton Bay trip, visits Hobart instead

Cruise ship passengers expecting to visit Queensland for a beachy holiday have been told “pack warmer clothing” as the ship made a last minute trip to Hobart instead.

Cruise ship's visit Hobart the Carnival Spirit tied up at Macquarie Wharf. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE.

CRUISE ship passengers expecting to visit Queensland for a beachy holiday have been told “pack warmer clothing” as the ship made a last minute trip to Hobart instead.

The Carnival cruise liner which docked in Hobart today brought with it hundreds of passengers who had originally booked a trip to Moreton Island, Queensland, but due to the state’s fire warnings diverted its route for a Hobart stay.

“Due to a large fire on Moreton Island causing unsafe conditions, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services have issued a ‘leave now and do not return’ notice, restricting access to the island while they work on managing the situation,” Carnival said in a letter to passengers, seen by the Mercury.

“As a result, we are replacing our call to Moreton Island with a visit to Hobart.”

Management instructed guests to pack accordingly and said a refund would be offered to those who did not wish to make the voyage.

“The weather in Hobart will be a little cooler in the early morning and late afternoons so we suggest you pack warmer clothing,” the letter read.

“There is plenty to see and do in Hobart and we hope you will continue with your holiday plans.”

Passengers have also been offered $50 worth of on-board credits.

Cruise ship guest Julie Pritchard said the trip south came as a shock.

“Wow, we were going to Moreton Island today on a four-night cruise. [I] called them up [and they] won’t even offer a free upgrade so now we are going to Hobart,” she wrote on Carnival’s Facebook page.