Are Australiaâ€™s waters cursed?

The MSC Orchestra cruise liner is on its way to Australia. Source: News Corp Australia

IT TOOK eight years for this cruise ship to finally visit Australia.

And in a case of extraordinary bad luck, a cyclone also decided to stop by at the same time.

The MSC Orchestra, carrying around 2500 passengers on its maiden journey to Australia, has been forced to cancel its scheduled stop in Cairns due to Cyclone Nathan. Instead, the ship has slowed and will stop in Brisbane on Sunday.

It had last stopped at Bali on the March 8.

Photos from the ship's webcam show the conditions at the moment.

Conditions on the ship. It's a bit wet. Source: Supplied

It comes just weeks after another cruise ship — Royal Caribbean's Rhapsody of the Seas— was caught up in a cyclone drama in Australia.

The following statement has been released on the MSC Cruise page:

"Unfortunately, due to adverse weather conditions affecting the Far North Queensland region, we regret to confirm that MSC Orchestra was compelled to cancel the call at Cairns, originally scheduled for Friday 13 March.

View from the ship. Source: Supplied

"This change in itinerary was necessary due to the formation of a tropical low storm/cyclone in north-eastern Queensland. This step, taken in consultation with the Australian Maritime Authorities, was necessary to ensure the wellbeing and comfort of all guests and crew members — our number one priority at all times."

Cyclone Nathan remains a category 2 and the Bureau of Meteorology expects it to turn around and head east later today.

Almost 80mm fell in Cairns overnight and heavy rains continue to fall around the region.