Tag Archives: southampton

Propeller problems halt P&O cruise

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Technical problems force P&O cruise to return home three days early

A P&O cruise vessel is having to return to port in the UK early after a technical issue with a propeller slowed its progress on a holiday to Madeira, the Spanish Islands and Portugal.

The Oriana will return to Southampton Port three days early, and passengers will have the option to disembark when they arrive or remain until the planned arrival date.

They have also been offered a refund consisting of 40 per cent of the original ticket price in cash or 100 per cent in credit to use on a future occasion.

P&O Cruises’ director Christopher Edgington was quick to apologise, saying: “Our decision to bring back the ship early has not been taken lightly and I am sorry that our customers’ holiday plans have been impacted.”

He added that although the repairs were required urgently, passenger lives were never in any danger and they were kept fully informed of the situation at all times

Allure of the Seas to be based in Europe for first time

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By Hollie-Rae Merrick 

Allure of the Seas to be based in Europe for first timeThe world’s biggest cruise ship, Allure of the Seas, will be based in Europe for the first time next year as Royal Caribbean International targets new customers.

The cruise line said support from the UK trade had been a key factor in the decision.

UK managing director Stuart Leven said agents would have an opportunity to sell “a unique and innovative ship”, perfect for the family market, when the 6,318-berth Allure, which launched in 2010, starts sailings from Barcelona on May 3, 2015.

He said: “We look at the support from the trade when making these decisions, just as we did when we decided to base Anthem of the Seas in Southampton. We look at the markets that support the brand. The UK has always been supportive of Independence of the Seas out of Southampton and it was an obvious decision to take Allure to the Med and open it to a new customer base.”

Royal Caribbean has produced a mini-brochure about the ship and a marketing toolkit that includes videos, campaign tools and images.

Leven said operating Allure in Europe alongside Anthem of the Seas, which will be based in Southampton when it launches in 2015, demonstrated the line’s commitment to the European market. It will be the first time Allure has sailed outside the Caribbean.

The ship will operate seven-night cruises from Barcelona between May and October 2015, calling at Palma, Marseille, La Spezia and Civitavecchia, where there is the chance to join the ship.

Final voyage for last truly ‘British’ cruise ship comes to an end

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Saga Ruby marked a little piece of history with the completion of its final voyage this week, in what was the last sailing by a cruise ship to be built in Britain.

According to BBC News, no vessel has been constructed in this country in the 40 years since the Ruby sailed out of Swan Hunter’s Tyneside shipyard in 1972.

Previously, it has sailed under Cunard’s flag and the name MS Caronia, but last year it was announced that the vessel would finally be retired.

While it wasn’t expected back in Southampton until after the weekend, poor weather over the Atlantic prevented it from crossing the Bay of Biscay on its return journey, meaning that it arrived home early.

Ruby’s final cruise was a month-long Caribbean affair, which also visited Antigua, Portugal, Madeira and Spain en route to the islands.

All three of Saga’s vessels witnessed delays this week as a result of stormy seas, as did Queen Mary 2, which is preparing to celebrate its tenth anniversary.