Karl WP Beyer January 4, 2023 - There is good news for the roughly 800 passengers on board the Viking Orion. The cruise ship of the Swiss Viking Ocean Cruises AG, coming from New Zealand, was allowed to dock in Sydney/Australia after a long odyssey. Passengers were allowed to go ashore.
The Viking Orion of the Swiss cruise company Viking Ocean Cruises AG was banned from entering several New Zealand and Australian ports because of "sea growth" on the ship's hull. The growth of algae known as “bio fouling” inevitably occurs on ships during longer journeys. The port authorities refused the ship calls at ports in order to prevent non-endemic algae, microorganisms or plant growth from being introduced into local waters.
Sister ship Viking Sun in Bergen Harbour
Sister ship Viking Sea in the Geirangerfjord
The 228 meter long ship set off on a cruise the day before Christmas Eve in Auckland, New Zealand. After a stop in Wellington/New Zealand, scheduled stops in four New Zealand and Australian ports were canceled due to biofouling. The infestation was cleared at Victor Harbor in Australia. During the ship's cleanup, passengers and crew were not allowed to leave the ship. After treating the ship, it was allowed to dock in Melbourne. The travelers were only allowed to leave the ship for a short time. Landings are only planned in Sydney Harbour.
Panoramic Sydney
Sydney's famous opera house
According to the Reuters news agency, the shipping company will compensate the ship's guests. We are talking about vouchers in the amount of the travel price paid. The vouchers will be credited towards future trips.
