Cruise Ship Battered By Cyclone Funa
Passengers Angered By Deliberate Path Into Cyclone
P & O Cruises Pacific Star - January 20, 2008
Cruise Line: P & O Cruises
Ship: Pacific Star (Tropicale)
Built: 1982
Refurbished: 2001
Registry: Great Britain
Size: 35,190 Gross Tons
Length:  669 feet
Passengers: 1,022
Crew: 550

Bow Webcam: > Here

Once again, P & O Cruises has stuck to their policy, that once a passenger boards a cruise, they are on it until the end, good or bad, even when it turns into near destruction of the ship, and the passengers.

Pacific Star, knowing perfectly well that Cyclone Funa was churning the seas,
Between Australia and Vanuatu, sailed right into the high seas, with predictable damage to the ship and the passengers.

Passengers report that cabins were flooding, seated passengers were tossed from their chairs, appliance were flying about, the kitchen tableware was smashed, barware was smashed  and passengers were bruised and battered.
Pleas to seek safe harbor by staying another day in Noumea were disregarded as the captain plowed ahead, determined to keep the ship on schedule, and not make the next sailing depart late. That effort was useless.
The ship was caught in the worst of the storm on Sunday January 20th, arriving a day late to port.

Passengers figured the end was near, were wearing their lifejackets, and screaming in a panic.

P & O Cruises public affairs manager Anthony Fisk said five passengers reported injuries which included suspected sprains, bruises and a rib injury caused when someone fell out of bed. That may not be the final count.

Once again it is clear, all that really matters to P & O is profit, not passenger safety or comfort. Their wild west reckless attitude while sailing of the seas is well documented. When will Australia put their foot down and begin to legislate changes for their cruise industry?