Carnival Corp has agreed to settle a lawsuit over a ‘cruise from hell’ that took guests into the path of a strong cyclone.
It will pay out a total of A$2.4 million with about half going to guests on the P&O Cruises Australia ship Pacific Aria.
The ship departed Brisbane to Noumea in 2017 and sailed into the path of category 5 Cyclone Donna.
This led to a ‘miserable seven days,’ said Peter Carter of Carter Capner Law.
Guests ‘experienced rough conditions which had the consequence that many activities aboard the vessel were curtailed, facilities were closed, and ports that were intended to be visited were not.’
The cruise company agreed to compensate guests but admitted no liability.
The class action lawsuit was filed in 2023.
“By sailing into the path of Cyclone Donna without giving passengers the opportunity to cancel and obtain a full refund, it subjected passengers to a miserable seven days,” Carter said.
“The enjoyment of the cruise was not as desired and, generally, the cruise was a rather unpleasant experience,” the lawsuit stated.
Pacific Aria guests will get payouts of about A$i800 for refunds to their cruise fare and compensation for ‘distress and disappointment.’
