Anthem of the Seas is making its way back to Australia after encountering technical difficulties during a recent voyage to New Caledonia and Vanuatu. The ship, currently unable to operate at full speed due to engine issues, is now expected to arrive in Sydney later than planned, with an afternoon arrival instead of the originally scheduled Tuesday morning.
In addition to the delayed return, the cruise line has announced the cancellation of the vessel’s next planned journey, a 10-day cruise to New Zealand. Guests affected by these changes will be compensated for any necessary flight alterations, and those scheduled for the New Zealand cruise will receive a 25% future cruise credit along with a full refund.
The situation has been compounded by adverse weather conditions that led to missed stops at two out of three ports on the original itinerary. One passenger onboard shared their experience, noting that the ship’s speed reduction was due to the malfunctioning engine and reflected on the unusual circumstances: “There’s no compensation or anything but 120 minutes of internet has been offered to make arrangements for our return home. We missed two out of three ports due to the weather, and the one port we made it to was terrible weather. Ah well, it’s been an adventure.”
As they journey back to Sydney, the passengers still have two-and-a-half days to enjoy the ship’s amenities. After arriving in Sydney, the Anthem of the Seas is expected to head to Newcastle for necessary repairs to address the engine issues. Despite the challenges faced during this cruise, guests have shown resilience and a positive outlook, making the most of their time at sea.