Two major cruise ships experienced problems late last week and over the weekend.
The azipod propulsion system on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Norwegian Star malfunctioned during the early morning of February 10 local time while the ship was about 20 miles offshore near Melbourne, Australia. While the ship maintained full power to all onboard services and guest amenities, it had to be towed into Melbourne, where guests were able to spend time ashore.
All guests onboard were provided a full refund, as well as a 50 percent future cruise credit. Norwegian provided guests that disembarked in port a credit of up to $350 per person for a flight to Auckland and guests that wished to fly home immediately up to $300 per ticket for a change fee allowance.
The ship is currently undergoing repairs while docked in port and is expected to depart during the afternoon on February 14, arriving to Auckland on February 18 to resume its scheduled itinerary.
Seabourn Encore Collides With Cargo Ship
Meanwhile in New Zealand, the new Seabourn Encore impacted a nearby cargo ship on February 12 while docked in the port of Timaru.
Sudden high winds caused the ship’s aft mooring lines to part and break free, Seabourn said. No injuries have been reported and the ship is fully operational. Seabourn Encore was inspected and cleared to sail by authorities and departed for its next scheduled port call in Akaroa, New Zealand.
The ship is on a 16-night itinerary that departed from Sydney on February 2. The line’s newest ship, it was built last December and carries 600 guests based on double occupancy. Designed by Adam D. Tihany, the all-suite vessel includes a new The Retreat for-charge sanctuary for guests to stretch out and relax in private cabanas, as well as Sushi, a restaurant new to the Seabourn fleet. The ship is currently sailing its inaugural season along the Pacific Rim in Australia and New Zealand, before returning to Europe in April 2017 to spend summer along the Mediterranean.
A sister ship, Seabourn Ovation, will join the fleet in 2018.
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