Aurora boredom goes on
Some 269 passengers are reported to have left the troubled Aurora cruise ship, as it remains stuck in Southampton docks with engine problems. As reported, the ship was supposed to have sailed on 9 January, on a 103-day round-the-world trip. But 10 days after the supposed departure date, despite free drinks for all those booked on to the cruise while the ship sat in dock, the Aurora has still not sailed. The Daily Mail even reports that a 5pm “sailaway” party “came and went, leaving embarrassed P&O officials making yet more excuses and praying she might be on her way by midnight”. The ship was still in Southampton this morning. The newspaper reports that many have made the decision to abandon ship because it will no longer be visiting several destinations including Japan and San Francisco. One passenger is quoted as saying: “We’re packing it in. We wanted to do Japan and had booked seats on the bullet train. They only told us a few hours ago that we weren’t going there any more. They have treated us very well but there is no point going on.” Those who have decided not to go ahead with the cruise will get a refund; those who are going ahead have been offered partial refunds and discounts off future trips. Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad Ltd
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