Allie Hubers Carnival Cruise Line has announced the cancellation of Carnival Luminosa’s March 6, 2025, departure from Brisbane due to the impending impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred. The storm will directly impact the Brisbane area, leading to the closure of the port.
“We are continuing to monitor Tropical Cyclone Alfred”. Carnival Australia stated that “the storm’s current track will directly impact the Brisbane area in the coming days, forcing the port to close.”
Guests affected by the cancellation will receive full refunds for their cruise fare and all pre-purchased items.
“As the safety of our guests and crew is the priority, the current voyage of the Carnival Luminosa will be delayed coming back from the South Pacific until it is safe to return to Brisbane,” the company said.
“The Captain is sailing a safe distance from the storm to minimize discomfort for our guests. We know this is disappointing and we thank guests for their understanding,” Carnival continued in its statement.
Carnival Luminosa will resume its regular schedule on March 9, 2025, with a four-night cruise to Airlie Beach, Australia.
Cyclone Alfred is a category 2 storm
Tropical Cyclone Alfred has been moving slowly and will make landfall near Brisbane by Saturday morning. The Australian coast is bracing for potential flooding, torrential rain, and storm surges during the rare storm.
The storm has already caused significant disruptions, with high tides, heavy rainfall, and strong winds affecting the region. Airlines have already canceled hundreds of flights, and officials have closed Brisbane Airport.
The cyclone has brought waves exceeding 12 meters and has soaked parts of the Gold Coast, Northern Rivers, and Mid North Coast with over 100 millimeters of rain. As of Thursday morning, Cyclone Alfred was still more than 200 kilometers offshore and moving slowly at less than 10 kilometers per hour. Sustained winds at the center are up to 130kmph per hour.
The Bureau of Meteorology has issued warnings for severe coastal hazards, including abnormally high tides and damaging surf for southern Queensland and northeast New South Wales.
After several more trips from Brisbane, Carnival Luminosa will reposition to North America in early May for summer cruises to Alaska and Canada. The vessel will return to Australia later in the year for another winter season sailing from Brisbane.
