Anthem of the Seas passenger forced to shell out thousands
A UK passenger on the aborted Anthem of the Seas cruise from New Jersey to the Caribbean says he had to pay more than $3,350 for onward travel and accommodation after the trip was forced to return to port due to bad weather.
Phil Partridge from Rhino Car Hire was part of a group of 14, including his wife and two young daughers, travelling on the ill-fated eight-day cruise.
However, the ship was forced to turn back to New Jersey after it suffered superficial but extensive damage when it sailed into a storm.
After being confined to their cabin for 18 hours, the Partridge family emerged to find shattered glass on decks, balcony screens ripped off, furniture damaged and lifts out of order.
The ship turned back to New Jersey, arriving three days ahead of schedule, but Partridge said operator Royal Caribbean made no provision for onward travel or accommodation.
"We were left with a $350 taxi ride back to NY, plus three nights hotel costs per family (over $3000!). Being Valentines weekend, finding rooms at all was a challenge!" he said.
Partridge also had to buy a second pushchair for one of his daughters for the unexpected time spent in New York and they had to cope with below freezing temperatures in the city when all the clothes they had packed were fit for the balmy Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean has confirmed that all passengers on the Anthem of the Seas will receive a full refund plus 50% off a future cruise.
Partridge said he would also submit a travel insurance claim for his other expenses.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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