Espiritu Santo is a beautiful place and an adventure lover’s paradise. But perhaps not when you’re stranded on the Vanuatu island with few options to leave – as was the case recently for a group of Australian travellers, whose flights off the island were cancelled with the collapse of Air Vanuatu.
Fortunately for the group, help came in the form of Carnival Cruise Line, specifically, Carnival Splendor, which stepped in to help the stranded tourists.
Comprising eight Australians and one New Zealander, the party boarded Carnival Splendor earlier today (Thursday) and will enjoy a day in Port Vila before a relaxing four-night cruise home.
The ship is due to arrive in its home port of Sydney on 28 May.
Last week, P&O Cruises’ Pacific Adventure came to the aid of a band of Aussie Rotary volunteers in Port Vila, who were also trapped in the country due to Air Vanuatu’s grounding.
Together, the Carnival Cruise Line vessels have brought 29 Australians and New Zealanders safely home.
“Helping these people get home safely reflects our commitment to community support and humanitarian aid,” Carnival Cruise Line Australia Vice President Kara Glamore said.
“We are so pleased to provide this group a safe and enjoyable return home.”
Air Vanuatu went into voluntary administration two weeks ago, with its liquidator saying it expects the carrier to resume normal operations “as soon as possible”. But the airline’s fleet remains grounded.
Earlier this month, after answering a mayday call off New Caledonia, P&O Cruises’ Pacific Encounter rescued three stranded sailors.
In October last year, Pacific Encounter’s sister ship, Pacific Explorer, rescued a 24-year-old Australian south of Vanuatu after it received a plea for assistance from the New Caledonia Marine Rescue Coordination Centre.
