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Hundreds stranded after ‘harmful growth’ found on Viking ship

Cruise
Will Payne
3 January 2023

Hundreds of passengers are thought to have been stranded on a Viking Cruise ship off the coast of Australia after a "potentially harmful growth" was discovered on its hull.

Viking Neptune has 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests

Viking Orion was reportedly denied permission to dock in Adelaide on Monday (2 January) after authorities found "biofoul" – a collection of microorganisms, plants, algae or small animals – attached to the side of the vessel. 

Speaking to the BBC, the Australian fisheries department said the ship’s hull must be cleaned before it can enter Australia. 

"Professional divers were engaged directly by the vessel line/agent to clean the hull while at anchor outside Australian waters," it added.