Christmas Cruise Chaos: Stranded Kiwi and Aussie Passengers Fly Home After PNG Reef Crash
By Lions Roar News Travel Desk (Abstracted from the New Zealand Herald and RNZ News)
CAIRNS, AUSTRALIA (December 31, 2025) – A luxury Christmas voyage has ended in frustration and fear for 80 holidaymakers after the Coral Adventurer ran aground on a remote reef off Papua New Guinea. The ordeal culminated last night as stranded passengers, including several New Zealanders, arrived back at Cairns International Airport via a 2.5-hour emergency charter flight.
The vessel, operated by Cairns-based Coral Expeditions, struck a reef near Dregerhafen Point—about 90km from the city of Lae—in the early hours of Saturday morning.
🌊 “I Thought We Were Going to Sink”
Passengers described a harrowing experience as the 95-metre luxury liner suddenly shuddered to a halt.
- Kiwi Survivor: New Zealand tourist Cliff Inglis recalled the terrifying moment of impact, stating he initially feared the ship was going to sink. “But they came to the rescue in the end,” he told reporters.
- The Impact: Other travelers reported a “jolt” that woke them at 5:30 AM, followed by an announcement from the captain that the vessel was firmly stuck on the reef with a six-degree list to the port side.
- Arduous Journey: After efforts to refloat the ship using a tugboat failed over the weekend, passengers were transferred by tender to a separate passenger boat before boarding their flight home.
🔍 A Ship Under Scrutiny
The grounding is the second major crisis for the Coral Adventurer in just two months, placing the cruise line under intense legal and public pressure.
- October Tragedy: In late 2024, an 80-year-old passenger, Suzanne Rees, died after being accidentally left behind on Lizard Island during a shore excursion. Investigations into that “failure of care” are still ongoing.
- Mechanical Woes: Reports have surfaced that the ship faced significant engine issues earlier in the year, leading to previous cancellations.
- The PNG Grounding: Local authorities in Morobe Province noted that the ship appeared to be using a route known for “high reefs” not typically taken by local operators.
💰 Refunds and Resentment
While some passengers praised the crew’s professionalism, others expressed outrage at the lack of communication during the three-day ordeal.
- Compensation: Coral Expeditions CEO Mark Fifield confirmed that the 12-night voyage (which cost some passengers over $13,000) was officially ended early. Full refunds have been promised.
- Safety Concerns: German tourist Ursula Daus confronted staff at the airport, describing the situation as “chaotic” and vowing never to travel with the company again.
The vessel remains at anchor near the reef awaiting a full hull inspection by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) once it can be safely refloated.
