CRUISE & Maritime Voyages, the company
bringing Astor to Western Australia at the end
of the year, has been forced to cancel the
inaugural sailing of its other recently acquired
vessel, Discovery, after passengers had already
boarded.
According to reports by British media, the
ship was detained by the UK’s Maritime and
Coastguard Agency following an inspection in
Portland, Dorset.
MCA said the detention notice would remain
in place “whilst the owners and crew
undertake revisions to their safety
management system”.
Discovery was supposed to set sail on a 15-
night cruise to the Northern Lights, in Norway,
but the 657 passengers have been sent home.
The last-minute change comes after an earlier
hitch when the departure was delayed and
switched from Avonmouth in Bristol, apparently
due to bad weather in the Bay of Biscay.
According to CMV, passengers on the
cancelled cruise will receive a full refund, £250
compensation and a 40% future cruise discount.
After the “technical issue” is addressed,
Discovery is expected to sail its next scheduled
cruise on 15 March.
