Major cruise line cancels trips to island destination over ‘civil unrest’ | Cruise | Travel

P&O Cruises Australia has cancelled its upcoming cruises to Lifou and Noumea on the South Pacific island of New Caledonia over ongoing civil unrest.

The island, which is a French territory, has seen rioting after a law was passed which will allow more French residents to vote in elections there. Indigenous leaders believe the new law will dilute the influence of native people in elections.

Hundreds of people have been injured in the riots and five people have been killed. French police reinforcements have arrived on the island and a state of emergency has been declared.

A spokesperson for P&O Cruises Australia told Cruise Hive: “Due to the state of emergency declared because of civil unrest in New Caledonia, Pacific Adventure will no longer call to Lifou or Noumea.”

It said that guests booked to travel to the island would now spend an additional day at Mystery Island.

Mystery Island is an uninhabited island in Vanuatu’s Tafea province with white-sand beaches and coral reefs.

P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Adventure ship was due to visit Lifou on May 19 and Noumea on May 20.

The cruise company said the “safety of our guests and crew is paramount” and it said guests would be updated if any further changes were needed.

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