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Carnival Australia has noted that Cyclone Oma has been downgraded to a category one weather system as the organisation’s cruise lines continue to make safety the paramount consideration in operational decisions.

Necessary itinerary and navigational changes are being made so that ships from P&O Cruises Australia, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line remain well clear of the challenging weather system.

Carnival Australia accounts for seven cruise lines and is Australia’s largest cruise organisation.

“Queensland is one of Australia’s fastest growing cruise markets with more destinations than any other state, so it is no surprise that a number of ships would need to respond to this weather system,” said Sture Myrmell, President of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia.

“The latest forecasts downgrading Cyclone Oma to a category one weather system are encouraging but it could again strengthen and we will continue to be vigilant keeping a watchful eye on it to keep our ships well away.

“Where cruise itinerary changes have become necessary our cruise lines have focused on delivering excellent guest experiences. Destinations such as the Sapphire Coast centred on Eden in NSW and Phillip Island in Victoria are attractive in their own right.”

Here is a fleet-by-fleet snapshot of the response by Carnival Australia brands.

P&O Cruises Australia

  • Pacific Explorer departed from Sydney yesterday and sailed south in fair weather to the NSW Sapphire Coast instead of the scheduled four-night cruise to Moreton Island.
  • Pacific Dawn is in Noumea today in fair weather and will make a delayed return to Brisbane following a course that avoids the weather system. Pacific Dawn’s scheduled three-night cruise from Brisbane on Saturday has been cancelled.

Princess Cruises

  • Sea Princess has remained in Cairns and will make a delayed return to its Brisbane home port on Tuesday afternoon.
  • Sun Princess was due to sail from Sydney tomorrow on a Queensland coastal itinerary that is now under review.

Carnival Cruise Line

  • Carnival Spirit was due to depart Sydney tomorrow on a cruise to Moreton Island but will instead sail south to Phillip Island.

Guests on all ships have been updated on any impact to their cruises. Operational changes will continue to be made in an orderly and timely manner by people with extensive maritime experience. Cruises to and from Queensland will continue to be reviewed.