ROYAL Caribbean Int’l has cancelled 26 calls into Lifou, New Caledonia this summer due to the tender pier being unable to safely receive the larger ships, Explorer of the Seas & Voyager of the Seas.
“We’re definitely partnering with the Lifou authorities to develop and invest in the infrastructure, unfortunately that is taking a little bit longer for that to be completed,” Marc Miller, director itinerary planning RCI said at last week’s Cruise360 Australasia conference.
On 20 of the affected sailings, Lifou will be replaced with an alternative South Pacific island port such as Mare, Isle of Pines or Noumea and two cruises will replace Lifou with a call to Port Kembla in Wollongong.
The remaining four cruises will have an additional day at sea, with guests receiving on board credit as there is no availability at other South Pacific ports.
The big ships plan to return the following season, while cruises on smaller ships Radiance and Legend and Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice remain unchanged.
