After 5 months of zero cruise visitors to the French territory within the Pacific, cruise ships are lastly coming again to New Caledonia.
Political unrest and riots in Could of this yr led to a halt in cruise ship visits to the realm that’s east of Australia.
However earlier this month, one of many ports within the archipelago welcomed the primary cruise ship again and celebrated the event.
Nationwide Geographic-Lindblad Expeditions was the primary to ship a cruise ship again to the realm with Orion visiting the Lifou port.
Shortly after this go to, Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean additionally confirmed their future visits again to the realm as effectively.
On November 10, Ovation of the Seas is scheduled to go to Port Nouméa in New Caledonia, and Carnival Splendor will go to the identical port on each November 17 and 19.
December and January’s schedules to completely different ports round New Caledonia are getting busier as effectively, with Princess Cruises, Celeb Cruises, Holland American Line, and Norwegian Cruise Line providing ports of name.
New Caledonia’s Director of Tourism, Eric Meura, commented on the importance of cruise ships coming again to the territory:
“The return of cruises to Lifou is a testomony to the resilience and dedication of our individuals and companions. We’re excited to as soon as once more showcase the wonder and tradition of New Caledonia to the world,” Meura acknowledged.
The Nouméa and Lifou ports in New Caledonia obtained virtually 350,000 cruise passengers in 2023 alone, bringing in an estimated $27 million in income.
The tourism trade is hopeful that the return of cruise ships will enhance the native financial system that was badly damage by the geopolitical unrest.
