Northern Lights cruise cancelled

The cruise liner Discovery was due to head to Norway but was diverted to Portland in Dorset when a routine inspection didn't quite go to plan. Bob Cruise takes up the story

• UK
• Portland
• northern lights

• UK
• Discovery cruise
• Portland

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has issued a statement following its inspection of the Discovery cruise liner in Portland, Dorset.

It says that the vessel will stay put until safety issues over drills and training have been addressed.

Following inspections on Friday 1 March, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued a Detention Notice on the passenger ship Discovery, preventing the vessel from sailing at this time.

This will remain in place whilst the owners and crew undertake revisions to their safety management system."

• UK
• Discovery cruise
• Portland

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has told us that officials went on board the Discovery at the end of last week as part of a routine inspection, and found a number of issues with 'safety management systems'.

This related to crew familiarisation of the ship and training.

The MCA ordered that the vessel should remain in place until the owners had made a number of improvements.

• UK
• Avonmouth
• Portland

Seven hundred passengers have been told that their cruise, a two-week trip around Norway, has been suddenly cancelled.

The Discovery was originally scheduled to sail from Avonmouth but, due to tidal restrictions, it was re-routed to Portland in Dorset at the end of last week.

24 coaches transferred all passengers to Portland but the Captain then informed everyone on board that the cruise could not go ahead due to 'technical reasons'.

Passengers will all receive a full refund and £250 compensation per person.

The firm says that Discovery should be ready for its next scheduled departure from Avonmouth on March 15th.

• UK
• cruise
• Portland