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13 September 2012 09:34
The Cunard cruise liner the Queen Victoria arrives at Southampton docks after construction in Venice
A 16-night Mediterranean cruise had to be cancelled after a passenger ship suffered a mechanical failure. The Queen Victoria was due to set sail from Southampton on October 3, but will instead now travel to Germany for emergency repairs. One of the propulsion units on the 2,014-berth liner failed, reducing its operating speed by as much as 10%.
Launched in 2007, the Queen Victoria suffered the propulsion failure during another Mediterranean cruise, but Cunard insisted the passengers on board were not in any danger. Nevertheless, the case underlines the importance of travellers investing in cruise travel insurance, in case of interrupted cruises, lost possessions or medical emergencies.
Customers due to sail on the cancelled cruise have been offered a place on an alternative trip or a full refund, as well as a 15% discount on a future cruise, operator Cunard said. The 2,014-passenger ship was due to embark on the 16-night Adriatic Discovery voyage, with plans to visit Cadiz, Katakolon, Corfu, Split, Venice, Dubrovnik and Malaga. Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks said: "We are doing all we can to minimise the impact on our passengers and to help everyone affected find suitable alternative holidays."
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