Vanuatu Confirms Port Vila Cruise Calls On Track

Published on Nov 17, 2025, 8:27 am CST

7 min read

Key points

Vanuatu's Department of Tourism confirms scheduled cruise calls to Port Vila remain on track
Port Vila continues to rely on temporary tender operations while repairs to the main cruise wharf and access roads progress
The U.S. State Department has lowered its Vanuatu advisory to Level 1 while warning that some Port Vila infrastructure is still under repair
Cruise schedules for late 2025 and early 2026 show regular calls by major lines, reinforcing that itineraries are proceeding
Passengers should plan for tender operations, occasional congestion, and flexible shore plans as the capital continues its recovery

Impact

Cruise Passengers: If your itinerary lists Port Vila in late 2025 or early 2026, you can expect the call to operate but should plan for tendering rather than pier docking
Itinerary Planning: Allow extra time moving between tenders and downtown, and avoid booking tight independent tours or back to back activities that rely on perfect timing
Shore Excursions: Consider cruise line excursions if you want earlier tender slots and easier refunds if weather, sea conditions, or construction force changes
Mobility And Comfort: Travelers with limited mobility should confirm tender accessibility with their cruise line and be ready to choose less strenuous, in town activities
Travel Insurance: Check that your policy covers missed ports and prepaid shore costs in case a late operational call shortens or cancels the Port Vila visit

Cruise passengers booked to visit Port Vila, Vanuatu, now have a clearer signal that their calls are going ahead. Vanuatu's Department of Tourism has moved to calm rumors of renewed cancellations by confirming that scheduled cruise ship visits to the capital have not been pulled and that ships are still using the temporary tender arrangements set up after last December's earthquake. At the same time, the United States has quietly lowered its Vanuatu travel advisory to Level 1, exercise normal precautions, while noting that some roads and infrastructure in and around Port Vila remain under repair.

For travelers, that combination changes the risk profile. The main question is no longer whether Port Vila will appear on the itinerary at all, but how tendering, ongoing construction, and South Pacific weather might affect the timing and comfort of a day ashore. Most ship calls are expected to proceed, and tours should generally run, yet there is still enough operational friction that passengers need flexible plans and realistic expectations.

Port Vila Cruise Recovery After The Earthquake

Port Vila's current cruise setup is the result of a difficult year. On December 17, 2024, a powerful earthquake of about magnitude 7.3 to 7.4 struck near the capital, followed by strong aftershocks that killed at least 14 people, injured more than 200, and damaged hundreds of buildings, roads, and utilities. Landslides and structural damage hit the cruise wharf area and access routes, forcing cruise lines to halt calls while the government focused on emergency response and basic recovery.

In the weeks that followed, major brands diverted ships away from Port Vila, reshuffling South Pacific itineraries at short notice. Lines including Royal Caribbean, Carnival brands, and others swapped Vanuatu calls to alternative ports or sea days as assessments revealed damage to port facilities and the surrounding transport network. The pause lasted for months, cutting off a key source of visitor spending for local businesses that depend on cruise traffic.

To restart tourism while long term repairs continued, Vanuatu's Public Works Department and other agencies worked with private operators to establish a temporary tender port along Port Vila's seafront. Instead of docking directly at the damaged cruise wharf, ships anchor offshore and use ship tenders to ferry passengers to the seafront area, where local authorities and agents manage security checks and tour dispatch under international standards.

The first phase of this restart saw Carnival Adventure and sister ships return in mid 2025 under carefully managed trial calls, followed by vessels from other brands as the tender operation proved workable. Recent port calendars show a steady stream of upcoming arrivals by ships such as Anthem of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas, Carnival Luminosa, Crown Princess, and others through late 2025 and into early 2026, reinforcing that Port Vila is back on regular South Pacific routes even while upgrades continue.

Latest Developments

The latest step in that recovery story is confirmation from Vanuatu's Department of Tourism that cruise calls to Port Vila "have not been cancelled" and that current schedules remain intact. The clarification, shared through local broadcaster VBTC and official social channels, directly addresses rumors that recent construction or planning disputes might trigger another round of ship withdrawals. Instead, authorities are signaling that the temporary tender solution is stable enough to support upcoming calls while work on the main wharf and connecting roads continues.

On the safety side, the U.S. Department of State updated its Vanuatu advisory on May 22, 2025, lowering the country from Level 3, reconsider travel, to Level 1, exercise normal precautions, and removing the natural disaster indicator that had been attached after the quake. The same advisory still notes that infrastructure and roads in Port Vila and nearby areas were damaged in the December 2024 earthquake and that repairs are ongoing, which matches on the ground reports of continuing roadworks and construction zones around the capital.

Taken together, these updates paint a picture of a destination that is operational again, but not fully back to pre quake normal. Cruise ships are calling, tours are running, and downtown Port Vila is open for business, yet the city is still rebuilding and the transport network has some weak spots that can slow movement between the seafront, neighborhoods, and outlying attractions.

Analysis

Background: Port Vila's cruise economy relies on high volume, short duration visits where several thousand passengers may try to tender ashore, clear local checks, and join tours within a tight window. When a port shifts from pier docking to full tender operations, every step becomes more sensitive to sea state, boat capacity, and small delays, especially if infrastructure around the landing point is under repair or partially closed.

For passengers, the biggest practical change is the extra time and uncertainty added by tendering. On a flat calm day, tenders can run frequently and clear queues quickly. In choppy conditions or heavy rain, boarding may slow, wet landings become less comfortable, and the bridge can decide to pause service temporarily for safety. That can compress the day ashore, which hits independent travelers hardest, because ship run excursions are usually first in line for early tender slots and have more flexibility if timing slips.

The state of Port Vila's roads also matters. With some routes still being repaired after quake damage and landslides, certain excursions may need to detour around works or accept slower travel times. Operators have had months to adjust itineraries, but travelers should expect occasional congestion or rougher stretches on the way to popular sites such as the Blue Lagoon, waterfalls, or village visits. That does not make these trips unsafe, it simply argues for building more buffer into the day and avoiding tight back to ship deadlines.

Independent travelers who plan to hire a driver at the seafront or book third party tours should be strict about timing. It is sensible to ask guides for their planned latest return time, then pull that back by at least 30 to 45 minutes as a personal buffer. Anyone booking activities that involve longer drives, like cross island tours, should consider starting on one of the first tenders or accept a shorter, more local program if the seas are rough and tenders run late.

At the same time, there are upsides to this phase of Port Vila's recovery. Visitor numbers and ship calls are coming back, and local businesses that endured the quake and long closure now have a clearer pipeline of cruise traffic again. Travelers who do make it ashore often find a more resilient, community focused city, and spending on local tours, markets, and crafts directly supports families and small operators who have been rebuilding homes and livelihoods.

For risk management, the main variables to watch are weather forecasts, any fresh seismic activity, and official notices from your cruise line. Heavy rain or swell in the days before arrival makes tendering more likely to be choppy or delayed. A strong aftershock or significant new landslide could prompt short notice changes, although there is currently no sign of that kind of disruption. In practice, most last minute changes will still come from operational decisions rather than broad safety alerts.

Final Thoughts

Port Vila is back on the cruise map, with Vanuatu's tourism officials, port agencies, and international partners working to keep calls running while the city repairs the damage of the December 2024 earthquake. The new baseline is clear enough for planning, cruise schedules show regular calls through late 2025 and into 2026, and the U.S. advisory now sits at its lowest level, even as roadworks and construction continue.

For cruise passengers, the bottom line is straightforward. Expect to tender, not dock. Plan a flexible day that can absorb slower transfers or weather hiccups. Decide in advance whether you value the protection and priority of ship run tours or prefer the freedom of independent exploring with a generous time buffer. With those adjustments, Port Vila remains a rewarding South Pacific call that is open for business and still rebuilding, not a destination to avoid.