All Policies Include Coronavirus Cover
Call for an instant quote 0345 90 80 161
Open Mon to Fri 09:00 - 17:30
Coronavirus FAQs
Questions about cover for coronavirus? Read our FAQs and find out what our policies can do for you. If you would like to contact us, please note we are currently only available 09:00 to 17:30 Monday to Friday due to reduced operational capacity. Thank you.
17 May 2011 09:19
The cruise ship MSC Opera suffered a power failure off the coast of Sweden (AP)
Hundreds of British passengers have had their Baltic cruise holiday cut short after the ship they were travelling on suffered a power failure.
Passengers were set to return home from Sweden on Monday after the MSC Opera suffered a series of electrical problems.
Tugs were sent to rescue the cruise ship on Sunday after one of its engines exploded.
The stricken vessel was then towed through the Baltic sea with 2,000 people on board.
While passengers have been given a credit voucher for the full amount paid, the incident highlights the importance of taking out cruise travel insurance to cover any such trip.
The ship, which usually sails every 10 days from Southampton, had no power, "very poor hygiene" and its bathrooms were "inoperable", according to Tim Schwabedissen from shipping website vesseltracker.com.
After the explosion on Friday, the captain tried to continue the voyage with the one remaining main engine but "this failed", Mr Schwabedissen said.
"On May 15 tugs were called to pull the vessel to Visby where the battered vessel was due to arrive May 16 morning," he added.
"Meanwhile a team from MSC Cruises was sent to Sweden to assist the passengers."
MSC was unavailable to clarify the situation but issued a statement saying there were "technical problems to an electrical panel".
It said the ship was diverted towards the port of Nynashamn, Sweden, where it was due to arrive at 11am.
"Not being able to offer to its guests the usual standards of service, MSC is organising the repatriation of all guests from Stockholm," it said in a statement.
28 February 2020
From tulip-filled trips to rose-tinged rests, these destinations are the perfect way to see in the new season.
[more...]
04 January 2021
Join us on a journey to Ancient Greece to discover more about history's most revered statue.
Head north for a light show like no other. Discover how you can see the Northern Lights for yourself.
Discover more about the magnificent waterfall perched on the border of Zambia and Zimbabwe.
10 December 2020
Don't sleep on the world's most impressive dormant volcano.
A destination that stands head and shoulders above the rest.
19 November 2020
Take a tour of one of South America's most captivating natural landscapes.
Discover the hidden depths of the world's most recognisable desert gorge.
It's the question on everyone's mind right now - unfortunately, there's still no easy answer...
Discover why planes are more hygienic than you might think.
Dive into Queensland's colourful coral.
02 November 2020
With the global travel industry slowly getting back on its feet, it's a great time for holiday bargain hunters. Here are our top tips for 2021.