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'Imprisoned' Cruise Ship Passengers Threaten Revolt

Passengers trapped on board after repairs delay round-the-word voyage

By Mary Papenfuss,  Newser Staff

Posted Mar 30, 2009 3:36 AM CDT

(Newser) – Furious British cruise ship passengers on a $12,000 around-the-world voyage threatened mutiny yesterday unless they're allowed to disembark to visit ports. Some 600 passengers on the Aurora have only been allowed to visit three cities in 22 days after the 76,000-ton ship was held up for repairs. Passengers, who formed a protest committee to meet with the captain, complained they were being "imprisoned" on the $300 million ship.

"So many people worked hard for so many years to afford this cruise. It is truly unforgivable," said a passenger. The ship's bad luck began in 2000 when Princess Anne failed to break a champagne bottle struck against the vessel to mark its launch. Some 500 passengers were felled by a stomach bug in 2003. A P&O Cruise line spokesman said the company was offering "compensation packages" to the passengers.

A passenger walks past the name sign on the P&O cruise ship Aurora.
A passenger walks past the name sign on the P&O cruise ship Aurora.   (Getty Images)
The Aurora arrives at Southampton docks in 2003 after some 500 passengers were seriously sickened by a stomach bug.
The Aurora arrives at Southampton docks in 2003 after some 500 passengers were seriously sickened by a stomach bug.   (Getty Images)
Passengers peer from the windows on the P&O cruise ship Aurora.
Passengers peer from the windows on the P&O cruise ship Aurora.   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
Showing 1 of 1 comment
Newser001
Mar 30, 2009 4:07 AM CDT
Disastrous story and its happened to me as well... Yet another reason Carnival Corp / PLC holds far too many cruise properties - 11 flags under one corporation; P&O, P&OA, Cunard, Holland America, Princess, Seabourn, Costa, AIDA, Ibero, Ocean Village, and Carnival... They are a corporate disaster waiting to happen, having far too much overlying influence over the entire industry, as they controll almost every aspect of the industry. They (and others) operate a slave trade; endentured servitude - paying little to no U.S. taxes. Read more about their operations and employees... See CNBC Original, "CRUISE INC: BIG MONEY ON THE HIGH SEAS" for more...

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