Voyager of the seas , returning to Australia due to cyclone?

[thistledoo]

After seeing some of the damage from Vila I don't think they will be calling in there.

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Royal Caribbean International just posted this update on Facebook:

 

Saturday 14 March - Rhapsody of the Seas called in Champagne Bay in northern Vanuatu today and conducted a successful tender operation with most guests spending time ashore. Rhapsody is en route to nearby Luganville where she will spend Sunday 15 March. Communication with guests may be difficult due to the impact on telecommunication infrastructure by Cyclone Pam. The safety and comfort of our guests and crew are our highest priorities, and the revised cruise itinerary is designed to minimize the discomfort of guests due to the impact of the weather system which we will continue to monitor. Our thoughts go to the many families in Vanuatu who have been impacted by this powerful storm.

[GUT2407]

Royal Caribbean International just posted this update on Facebook:

 

Thanks Kiwi, I am sure the locals appreciate the distraction and the dollars.

[Kiwi_cruiser]

Royal Caribbean just posted this update on Facebook:

 

Sunday 15 March - Rhapsody of the Seas has today completed a successful call in Luganville in northern Vanuatu on Sunday 15 March.

 

Captain Rob and the team onboard have now confirmed that due to the devastation caused by Cyclone Pam in Port Vila we will not be calling there tomorrow but will instead proceed to the island of Lifou, New Caledonia.

 

Due to the lack of communications and the uncertain conditions in Port Vila as a result of the severe storm damage, it is felt to be navigationally unsafe for Rhapsody to call at Port Vila at this time. In the absence of receiving confirmation of the availability of the operational infrastructure required to support the vessel on arrival, we feel that our presence would be more of a burden than a help.

 

We have many volunteers onboard Rhapsody, both guests and crew who are willing to assist the relief efforts in port Vila in any way they can, and we are in the process of putting together some information to enable them to assist in this regard.

 

Rhapsody is proceeding in a southerly direction to Lifou, a distance of 333 nautical miles, where she expects to arrive at approximately 0900 Monday 16 March. Following this call at Lifou, Rhapsody is scheduled to visit Mare, New Caledonia on Tuesday 17 March, before returning to Sydney as scheduled on Friday 20 March.

 

We appreciate the patience, understanding and support of all guests and crew onboard Rhapsody of the Seas, and we continue to extend our sympathy to all those effected in Vanuatu by Cyclone Pam.