Passengers from a Princess cruiseship were given a nasty welcome at the Indian Ocean island of Reunion on Sunday when protests by local residents turned violent.

The 77,400-gt cruiseship Sun Princess (built 1995) called at the island, a territory of France, as part of an extended cruise from Australia to Asia and Africa.

Around 30 local protesters attempted to stop tour buses carrying the ship’s predominantly Australian passengers from leaving the port by setting up blockades and throwing bottles and rocks, according to Australian media reports.