P&O Cruises Pacific Adventure has been refused access to the Bay of Plenty after port authorities deemed the ship’s hull unsafe for New Zealand waters.
New Zealand has strict rules around biofouling – the accumulation of microorganisms, plants, algae, or small animals where it is not wanted on surfaces – since the ‘craft risk management standard for biofouling’ was brought into effect in 2018.
The ship left Sydney last Monday, reaching NZ’s Bay of Plenty before being denied access to the port and will now head to Hobart Port Author and Eden on the NSW south coast.
A P&O Cruises spokesperson told Travel Weekly, “P&O Cruises Australia can advise a change to the compensation for guests on board Pacific Adventure, after the ship was unable to visit New Zealand.”
“We have listened to the feedback from our guests and understand not all of them wish to cruise with us again.”
“The 50% Future Cruise Credit already offered will be converted to a refund.
“The $300 per person onboard credit remains.
“Again, we apologise for the change in itinerary and thank our guests for their patience and understanding.”
P&O Cruises said the biofouling issues involved the removal of three juvenile mussels and a single hydroid (commonly known as lace coral), which it described as ‘minor’.
The itinerary was forced to change due to dangerous diving conditions off of the Bay of Plenty which meant the dive crew could only partially complete the cleaning.
