P&O Cruises today advised that it had disembarked all passengers from Pacific Star, which has now departed Auckland.
P&O Cruises Chief Executive Officer Ann Sherry said the ship has been cleared to sail to Brisbane for further inspections and repairs in dry dock.
"We have organised taxi dockets to enable the 900 Auckland residents among our passengers to return home and are arranging flights for the remaining passengers as required," Ms Sherry says.
"Once again we apologise unreservedly for the disappointment and inconvenience caused to our passengers by the cancellation of our cruise."
Ms Sherry said the ship’s 1145 passengers would receive a full refund and a 25 per cent credit on a future cruise. The ship has also waived all onboard expenses incurred by passengers since their embarkation on Tuesday.
Pacific Star had been scheduled to depart Auckland on Tuesday, August 7, but remained in port to enable repairs to a ventilation duct. The cruise was cancelled this morning following a decision that a further review of the problem area was required.
The eight-night cruise from Auckland to Brisbane was scheduled to visit Mystery Island, Noumea and Isle of Pines.