Cruise passengers spent New Year's stranded after their ship was rejected by 4 ports because of 'marine growth' on its hull
- Passengers were left stranded on New Year's Eve due to marine growth that stopped ship from docking.
- The Viking Orion cruise ship was turned away from 4 ports and had to get its hull cleaned.
Passengers have hit out at Viking Cruises after they were left stranded off the coast of Australia on New Year's Eve, the result of "marine growth" on one of its ship that left ports refusing the vessel access.
Since setting sail on Boxing Day, the ship has been rejected from four ports, including Christchurch, Dunedin and Hobart, because of the growth, according to the Australian Associated Press.
The vessel had accumulated algae, plants, microorganisms or small animals, known as biofoul, on its exterior, according to Australia's National Maritime Coordination Centre, which ordered it to be removed before it was allowed into Australian waters, per the report.
The ship ultimately headed to Adelaide to get its hull cleaned, and is expected to finally arrive in Melbourne on Monday.
One passenger on the cruise wrote on Twitter that people were "livid" and added it had been a "horrible journey" as a result of spending a day "sitting at sea where 2 boats are cleaning the ship hull."
He added: "Our @VikingCruises trip to NZ & Australia missed 4 of 8 ports b/c of dirty/biohazard ship hull. 800 people, mainly Americans, are upset and angry over negligence. Viking Orion. Disappointing after 2 years of waiting, anticipation, & $$$$. Help please."
Another passenger tweeted that it had been a "trip from hell."
"It's been the most surreal and enraging experience. I guessed this morning before they announced it that we'd be missing yet another port. Now, I just want to get off this ship and go home," she said.
Viking said in a statement that the small amount of "standard marine growth" was being removed on Sunday, and that it was working directly with guests on compensation.
Marko Snajdar, the ship's captain, reportedly apologized to passengers and said the company would contact them with a compensation offer.
Viking Cruises did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.