Cruise ship at sea in cyclone territory

Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas is being monitored closely as it sails in Queensland’s cyclone affected waters.

The cruise line is currently off the coast between Yeppoon and Mackay according to MarineTraffic.com but tweeted earlier today that there will be non changes to its itinerary, but will monitor the situation closely.

“Royal Caribbean International is closely monitoring the path and progress of a strong weather system associated with Tropical Cyclone Marcia, currently located on the east coast of Queensland, Australia,” RCI said in a statement to Travel Weekly.

Cyclone Marcia has been graded as a category five today – the highest level – as it made a landfall at Shoalwater Bay, around 70km north of Yeppoon, news reports stated. The Bureau of Meteorology advised the cyclone is moving south bringing gusts of up to 285km/h.

“Rhapsody of the Seas departed Sydney on 17 February 2015 on an 11 night cruise to Queensland and the Great Barrier Reef, with 2094 guests and 781 crew members onboard. Rhapsody of the Seas reduced speed and altered course in order to travel to the east of the weather system and allow safe transit of the ship to Cairns, where we anticipate arriving at approximately 11am on Saturday 21 February 2015, three hours behind schedule,” RCI said.

“The safety and comfort of our guests and crew members is always our foremost concern. All of our vessels are equipped with the latest in navigational equipment and stabilising technology to ensure the absolute safety and comfort of our guests”

According to Yahoo 7, an apparent passenger on board the Rhapsody of the Seas reportedly posted online that the ship’s captain had given a briefing, but this was prior to TC Marcia being upgraded.

“It is currently 5:15am Friday morning here,” wrote the passenger. “So I guess we’ll learn more when everyone wakes up and the Captain gives us an update later this morning.”

“For now though, no need to worry about us; it’s not even very rocky at the moment.”

Meanwhile, regional airports in the cyclone-affected area remain closed and QLD Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warned the residents of Yeppoon and surrounding areas, setting up three evacuation centres overnight.

“Over the next few hours many thousands of Queenslanders are going to go through a harrowing and terrifying experience and I want those people to know we are with you every step of the way, we will be standing by your side,” she was reported saying by Brisbane Times.

“This is a severe cyclone. I want everyone to take all the precautions they possibly can take.”

Image: yahoo news

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Email the Travel Weekly team at traveldesk@travelweekly.com.au

Cyclone Marcia Royal Caribbean Cruises