Oceania Regatta is the fifth cruise ship to cancel port calls in New Zealand due to biosecurity laws. So far the strict biofouling laws in New Zealand have forced, Queen Elizabeth, Regent Seven Seas Explorer, Viking Orion, and Coral Princess, to cancel ports.

“Due to local regulations for entering New Zealand's navigable waters, the Regatta is required to complete the necessary biofouling remediation, which has resulted in the cancellation of two ports on the Regatta's current voyage. The vessel is currently en route to Phillip Island (Cows), her next scheduled port call, and is scheduled to arrive on 10 January 2023,” said Oceania's spokesperson.

The Cruise Association of New Zealand has held talks with Biosecurity New Zealand to try to find a solution.

NZCA chief executive Kevin O'Sullivan told Radio New Zealand: "Nothing much has changed, with the exception that there have probably been more inspections this season because of the gap since the boats were last here," he said. "At the end of the day, cruise lines are losing revenue, incurring the wrath of unhappy passengers...it's certainly far from an ideal situation."

Marine growth can become stuck to the ship's hull and therefore New Zealand is particularly strict about ensuring ships clear them before entering its waters. But this round of ship stops surprised many. The laws were changed some six years ago, but long layoffs during Covid may have left some in line to catch up with work, and a lack of skilled labor is slowing the process.

The Coral Princess had to have her hull cleaned just before Christmas and the Viking Orion, which was in the middle of a New Zealand cruise when it diverted from Wellington on Boxing Day for a hull cleaning in Australia.

Queen Elizabeth has had to cancel visits to New Zealand's Fiordland departing from Sydney's overseas terminal today.

Viking issued a statement saying: “Viking Orion arrived in Melbourne, Australia on January 2 (local time) and was received in port. The ship is now back on its scheduled itinerary and is currently sailing towards Sydney, where it is expected to arrive on January 4th (local time). 

Regent Seven Seas also issued a statement: Seven Seas Explorer is currently sailing on a 14-night cruise with guests departing on December 29, 2022 and scheduled to disembark in Auckland, New Zealand on January 12, 2023. Due to local regulations for entering navigational waters of New Zealand, the Seven Seas Explorer's hull cleaning operation is required. The cleaning must be carried out by a company recognized by the New Zealand Ministry of Primary Industries, none of which were available at ports the ship has recently visited or will visit prior to its planned entry into New Zealand waters.

The statement said Regent Seven Seas Cruises' technical teams arranged for the clean-up operation to be carried out off the coast of Adelaide, and the ship sailed to South Australia.