The travel plans of passengers booked to sail with Island Escape Cruises NZ in Kimberley Western Australia were thrown into disarray after the small-ship operator canceled last weekend’s voyage at the 11th hour.
Island Escape Cruises is a New Zealand-based small cruise brand company that currently owns one luxury yacht - Island Escape (2021-built, IMO 9903994, Marshall Islands-flagged, LOA-length 54 m) which entered service in 2022 operating in the Kimberley since May. Booked guests are now venting their fury on social media at the unexplained suspension of Sunday’s voyage, terminated within 24 hours.
Feedback from impacted customers shared on Island Escape Cruises’ FB page indicates there had been no forewarning that their July 3 voyage would not be proceeding, with some travelers either already in Broome WA, or in transit to the city in anticipation of boarding the 30-passenger ship.
According to the company's website, the 12-day "Wild West Coast" voyage (roundtrip from Broome) had been sold out. As are the subsequent 3 sailings (July 16, July 28, August 10), while 2 further ones (August 22 and September 4) are with “limited availability”.