Cruise ships finally return to Port Vila in huge win for Vanuatu after earthquake

• Cruise ships finally returned to Port Vila last night.
• It’s the first time since the city suffered an earthquake in December 2024.
• Ships will use a temporary tendering port to get cruisers onto the shore.

Carnival Adventure arrived in Port Vila last week for the first time since the devastating earthquake seven months ago.

Carnival Adventure arrived to a welcome and an enthusiastic crowd of locals eager to offer their souvenirs and tours.

The Vanuatu Government organised a welcome ceremony for the guests and crew, who will bring a much-needed economic boost to Port Vila.

As Carnival Corporation & plc Country Manager Peter Little said when we announced our return: “We are delighted to be returning to Port Vila, to bring a much-needed economic boost to the city following the devastating earthquake late last year.

“The Port Vila community has done it tough without cruise visitors this year, so it’s great Carnival guests can help lift spirits, while spending money with local businesses.”

Carnival Encounter and Carnival Splendor will then be visiting later in the month, with the ships wasting no time in getting back to business as usual.

Since the tragic December 2024 earthquake, cruise ships haven’t been able to visit Port Vila, Vanuatu. This has meant fewer tourism dollars flowing into the town. The money is badly needed to help rebuild after the devastating earthquake. 

The city had previously announced a temporary port a few months ago, but after consulting with cruise lines, it was deemed not ready to take passengers.

However, many have been hard at work to make the return of ships happen, and now, once again, Port Vila will be able to greet cruise ship passengers, and cruise ship passengers will be able to enjoy the charm and nature of the Vanuatu capital.

The situation in Port Vila won’t yet be quite the same. The road from the cruise terminal to the centre of the city is still damaged, meaning that guests won’t be able to disembark at the cruise terminal like before.

Instead, a temporary tender port has been arranged, so that cruise passengers can still enter the town even as it continues repairing the earthquake damage.

Carnival Cruise Lines President Christine Duffy said: “We are proud to be the first cruise line to return to Port Vila, the harbourside capital and main hub of Vanuatu in the South Pacific, eight months after the devastating earthquake last December.

“On Friday, Carnival Adventure arrived with nearly 3,000 guests. The Vanuatu Government organised a welcome ceremony for the guests and crew, who bring a much-needed economic boost to Port Vila. Carnival Adventure Captain Francesco Bencivenga is pictured doing the plaque exchange.

“The road between the central business district and the cruise port remains closed due to a landslide during the earthquake, so a temporary tender berthing arrangement was in place.”

See our Vanuatu guide here.