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Carnival Corp has agreed to settle a lawsuit accusing a P&O Cruises Australia ship of operating a “cruise from hell.” The company has admitted no liability but will pay out more than A$2.4 million in compensation.
Cruise Ship Sailed into the Path of a Powerful Cyclone
The Pacific Aria was caught in Category 5 Cyclone Donna during a seven-day cruise departing from Brisbane to Noumea in 2017. The class action lawsuit was filed in 2023 by Carter Capner Law on behalf of lead plaintiff Debrah Jackson.
The suit claims the cruise line was aware of the storm’s development and its potential impact on the itinerary but did not give passengers the opportunity to cancel and obtain a full refund.
“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,” said law firm director Peter Carter.
The lawsuit states that passengers endured rough conditions, leading to canceled activities, closed facilities, and missed ports.
As part of the settlement, affected passengers will receive payouts, including refunds for their cruise fares and compensation for distress and disappointment.