Cruise Ships Forced to Stay at Sea as Tropical Cyclone Alfred Nears Brisbane

In early March, Tropical Cyclone Alfred, a powerful storm that formed in the Coral Sea, headed straight for Queensland’s coast. With wind speeds reaching nearly 100 miles per hour, the storm brought heavy rains, high winds, and dangerous waves to the entire region. Because of these hazardous conditions, the Port of Brisbane was closed for safety reasons. Cruise ships that were scheduled to dock during the week of March 3^rd couldn’t return as planned, leaving passengers stuck at sea or forced to reroute.

According to People, several major cruise lines had to change their plans due to the storm, including:

• Carnival’s Luminosa, which was scheduled to dock in Brisbane on March 6, but was forced to stay at sea. The ship canceled its next voyage and offered full refunds to all affected passengers.
• Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas was originally set to dock in Brisbane on March 7, but was delayed due to port closures. Passengers were left at sea longer than expected, causing travel disruptions to those who had flights or other plans.
• Cunard’s Queen Anne diverted to Airlie Beach rather than Brisbane to avoid the worst of the storm.

Why do cruise ships stay at sea during storms?

It might seem odd that cruise ships don’t just dock somewhere safe during a storm or cyclone, but there’s good reason for this.

Ships are safer at sea than in a port during storms. In rough weather, the ship at dock can be slammed against the pier, damaging both the vessel and the port. And, high winds can cause dangerous conditions for passengers and crew trying to disembark.

By staying on open water, the captain can steer the ship away from the most dangerous winds and waves. And, just like in Brisbane, major storms often force ports to shut down, meaning that the ships would have nowhere to go anyway.

We understand it can be frustrating for passengers to spend extra time at sea, but this is a necessary safety measure that cruise lines take seriously.

Can passengers get compensation for weather delays?

If your cruise is impacted by a storm like Cyclone Alfred, you might be wondering if you get your money back. Here’s what you need to know.

• Cruise lines are not required to give refunds for weather-related delays. Most cruise contracts state that they are not responsible for changes due to storms.
• Some lines offer partial refunds or onboard credit as a courtesy. In this case, Carnival canceled a future cruise and gave affected passengers a full refund.
• Travel insurance can help. If you have travel insurance, you may be able to get compensation for missed flights or extra hotel stays.

What are some tips for cruising during storm season?

If you are planning a cruise during hurricane or cyclone season, here is some advice to help avoid travel headaches:

• Get travel insurance. This can cover flight cancellations, extra hotel stays, and even lost luggage.
• Keep an eye on weather forecasts. If a storm is forming near your destination, prepare for possible travel delays.
• Pack extra essentials. Bring extra medication, chargers, and snacks in case you’re at sea for longer than expected.
• Be flexible. Cruise itineraries often change due to weather, so try to keep an open mind.

Tropical Cyclone Alfred caused major disruptions for those cruise passengers heading to Brisbane, but staying at sea is typically the safest choice. While it can be frustrating to deal with delays and missed plans, avoiding the storm helps protect passengers and crew from dangerous situations.

If your cruise is ever affected by a storm, know your rights as a passenger. Although refunds aren’t always guaranteed, cruise lines must keep travelers informed and offer assistance when necessary.

At Hickey Law Firm, we represent cruise passengers who have suffered life changing physical injuries, sexual assault or rape, and traumatic brain injuries due to cruise line negligence. If you ever have questions about your rights on a cruise, our legal team is here to help.

Hickey Law Firm specializes in “life-changing injuries.”® Call today. Call now. 800.215.7117

Call the maritime specialists today. Maritime law applies to any incident or accident on navigable waters, that is, waters subject to commercial traffic waters that are subject to commercial traffic. Maritime law is highly specialized. Only a few law firms and lawyers in the small number of law firms and lawyers in the entire United States specialize in maritime law. Hickey Law Firm is one of those law firms.

John H. (Jack) Hickey has been distinguished by The Best Lawyers in America in three key areas: Admiralty and Maritime Law, Personal Injury Litigation – Plaintiffs, and Medical Malpractice – Plaintiffs. Hickey is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in two areas: Admiralty & Maritime and Civil Trial.  He is also Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Trial Lawyer and holds many other awards and acknowledgments in the industry, including:

• Past Chair of the Admiralty Section of the American Association for Justice (AAJ)
• Past Chair of the Admiralty Law Committee of The Florida Bar
• Author of over 30 maritime law papers
• Recipient of the Miami-Dade Bar Circle of Excellence Award for Transportation / Maritime Law, 2024
• Recipient of the Legal Luminaries Award in Maritime Law, 2024

At Hickey Law Firm, we specialize in maritime law and fight for cruise passengers who have been wronged. Whether it’s a serious injury caused by rough seas, failure to provide proper accommodations or a mishandled emergency, our experienced attorneys are here to help. Call us or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation today.