Key Aspects:
- Carnival Luminosa missed a visit to Vila, Vanuatu, due to a low-pressure weather system creating unsafe conditions.
- The ship had a day at sea instead and will visit Lautoka, Fiji, a day early for smoother sailing.
- It is possible the ship may be able to visit Vila later in the sailing if weather conditions improve.
Cruise travelers are accustomed to the Atlantic hurricane season through the summer and fall months, but in the South Pacific, the months from November through April are prime time for typhoons and challenging weather.
Guests aboard Carnival Luminosa are facing exactly that sort of concern at the moment, and their 11-night Fiji and South Pacific itinerary is being adjusted for the safest sailing.
Carnival Luminosa departed Brisbane on Sunday, February 22, for the sailing with visits planned in Vanuatu, Fiji, and New Caledonia. Brewing weather along the ship’s route, however, has made the planned itinerary to Vanuatu impossible to keep.
“There is a low-pressure weather system developing over Vanuatu and surrounding areas that we are closely monitoring,” a letter sent to guests onboard explained. “This system is expected to bring strong winds and swell to Vila, and as a result we have had to cancel our planned call there.”
While the weather system is not an official typhoon, it does not take anywhere near typhoon or hurricane intensity to impact cruise itineraries. Cruise Hive has frequently reported on skipped port visits due to winds and swells that make docking or tendering unsafe at ports all over the world.
Carnival Luminosa‘s visit to Vila was to have been on Thursday, February 26. Instead, the ship spent the day at sea en route to Fiji with more schedule changes ahead.
On the original itinerary, Friday was to have been a day at sea as the ship makes her way to Lautoka for Saturday’s visit. Instead, Carnival Luminosa will visit Lautoka a day early.
At this time, there are no changes to the remaining ports on the itinerary, including Dravuni on Sunday, March 1 and Noumea on Tuesday, March 3. Similarly, the ship’s return to Brisbane on Thursday, March 5 is unaffected.
Can Carnival Luminosa Get to Vila Another Day?
The ship’s master, Captain Vittorio Marchi, is hoping to visit Vila on an alternative day later in the sailing, though that cannot be confirmed until the weather patterns are more clear.
The situation is being closely monitored and the safety of the ship and everyone aboard is the highest priority. If the storm were to break up or move off favorably, Carnival Luminosa may yet be able to enjoy a visit to Vila.
In the meantime, any reservations guests have already booked through Carnival Cruise Line for shore excursions in Vila are being held just in case they are able to be moved to a revised date. If a new visit cannot be secured, the standard procedure is that those tours would be automatically cancelled and refunded.
Tours for Lautoka were already adjusted for the new visit date. It’s understandable that guests may be disappointed at the changes. It is always a cruise line’s hope to preserve the original itinerary, but safety must prevail.
Furthermore, cruise lines often consider the overall sailing experience and comfort of guests. Sailing into rough waters can create highly unpleasant onboard conditions, closing outer decks and cancelling entertainment performances.
By choosing a smoother path and adjusting the itinerary, Carnival Cruise Line is seeking to provide the best possible vacation for everyone onboard Carnival Luminosa. Hopefully, guests will be understanding of the changes and patient with such adjustments.
