Somerset couple's fury as cruise ship was 'not fit to sail'
A couple were left furious after a long-awaited cruise was cancelled at the last minute – when officials said the ship was not fit to sail.
Peter Hughes and Ann Gunner had booked the trip on the MV Discovery, at a cost of nearly £3,000, after putting a trip to see the Northern Lights on their list of things to do during their retirement.
-
Ann Gunner and Peter Hughes, from Congresbury in Somerset, who were booked on the ill-fated MV Discovery. Picture: Jo Wakenshaw
But the couple – who spent two nights in dock on the boat – were upset when told the cruise was cancelled after the Maritime and Coastguard Agency raised safety concerns and banned the ship from sailing.
The MV Discovery was originally due to leave Avonmouth, near Bristol, last Thursday but was re-routed to Portland because of the weather and refuelling delays.
Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk
View detailsOur heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.
Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk
Contact: 01858 468192
Valid until: Sunday, May 26 2013
Mr Hughes and Ms Gunner, who booked the 16-night cruise in November, received a call from cruise operators on Thursday morning to say the boat had been re-routed.
The couple travelled to Avonmouth, where they were taken by bus to Portland, arriving at the ship at around 8.30pm.
But when they arrived and eventually boarded the boat, which had recently undergone a refit, they saw the quayside covered in supplies.
Mr Hughes, 65, a retired headteacher, said: “It was obvious the boat was not ready as the quayside was covered in containers of food and other items and the staff were carrying it on board.
“We got to our cabin which was all right, but other guests were complaining they did not have any hot water and others said grey water was coming back into their shower trays.”
The couple went to get some dinner, a buffet which had been put on by ship staff.
“Ann asked for some cheese and biscuits,” said Mr Hughes. “The cheese arrived but she was then told that the biscuits would be here the next day. They didn’t even have any coffee which they said hadn’t been loaded on board.”
The next morning an announcement told guests there was a delay in sailing and that a free bus had been put on to take those guests who wished into Weymouth.
During the day guests on board noticed a number of officials walking around the ship with clipboards.
Staff were also being trained in emergency procedures, including how to lower lifeboats into the water.
Mr Hughes said: “On Friday we were told there would be an announcement at 3pm then 6pm, but it never came.
“Then eventually at 8pm, as we were queuing for dinner, there was an announcement from the captain.
“He said the cruise had been cancelled because the Maritime and Coastguard Agency had refused to grant a certificate of worthiness and we could not sail.
“We were told the ship would be evacuated on Saturday morning.”
After a second uncomfortable night on board, the couple eventually got off the boat and were taken to Avonmouth by bus before having to pay £40 for a taxi to take them home to Congresbury, Somerset.
Ship operator Cruise and Maritime Voyages has offered a full refund and £250 compensation to passengers.
A spokesman for Cruise and Maritime Voyages said: “Due to unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control and notwithstanding the recent dry docking, the vessel has encountered technical problems which prevent her from sailing.”
Comments