Tropical Cyclone Alfred forces cruise lines to cancel and reroute sailings

Cruise lines have been forced to cancel or reroute sailings along the east coast of Australia because of Tropical Cyclone Alfred.

Lines affected include Carnival Australia, Royal Caribbean, Cunard and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Carnival Australia and Royal Caribbean have cancelled three-day cruises on Carnival Luminosa and Quantum of the Seas, which were scheduled to depart from Brisbane on March 6.

Both lines were forced to delay coming back into Brisbane because of the gale-force winds, intense rainfall and high tides.

More: Brisbane flights cancelled ahead of Tropical Cyclone Alfred making landfall

Affected Carnival passengers on the cancelled cruise were promised a full refund for fares and pre-purchased items, while Royal Caribbean was offering full refunds for fares including deposits and pre-paid extras, along with future cruise credits.

Cunard’s Queen Anne and Norwegian Sun both skipped scheduled calls in Brisbane as a result of the adverse weather.

The Port of Brisbane first suspended inbound shipping movements on March 2 and advised port tenants and businesses to “carry out their own severe weather preparation processes” with a spell of worse weather forecast.

It said in its most recent statement on its website (March 6, 4.15pm local time) that shipping channels remained restricted, no cruise calls were scheduled on March 6 or 7 and it was expected for port operations to be suspended until March 8.

Ships are advised to remain outside of Queensland State Waters until shipping is scheduled to resume, which will be based on the return of “favourable weather and sea conditions” and a review of the channels into port.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology has categorised the storm as a category 2 cyclone and issued a ‘Storm Force Wind Warning’ for March 6 and 7 for the Sunshine Coast Waters, Moreton Bay and Gold Coast Waters.

Pictured: Carnival Luminosa at the Port of Brisbane.