StellaGirl
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CRUISING TRIP OF A DAYTIME
Passengers who booked an expensive round-the-world cruise got less than they bargained for - when they went on a day trip to the Isle of Wight.
P&O ship Aurora should have set sail from Southampton on Sunday on a 103-day round-the-world trip to 40 destinations including Madeira, the Cape Verde Islands, the Falklands and San Francisco.
However, a technical fault meant that the £106m cruise liner was unable to set off, and passengers were offered a day trip round the Solent instead.
The ship, carrying 1,769 passengers, is now undergoing repairs and P&O hope to be able to send it off on a shortened trip within days, though the company needs to wait for the results of tests.
A spokeswoman said: "The passengers have been kept informed, and are aware that sea tests are going on."
All customers were offered the chance to disembark, but only seven chose to do so, the spokeswoman added.
The rest of the passengers were enjoying free drinks at the liner's bars and restaurants while the work was being done.
The price of the round-the-world cruise ranges from £9,800 for a cabin to £41,985 for a penthouse suite.
The cost of a trip to the Isle of Wight is normally £9.40.
The Aurora has had a difficult existence since Princess Anne failed to smash a bottle of champagne on it during its 2000 naming ceremony.
It broke down on its maiden voyage while in 2003 1,000 people on board fell ill with a virus.
Passengers who booked an expensive round-the-world cruise got less than they bargained for - when they went on a day trip to the Isle of Wight.
P&O ship Aurora should have set sail from Southampton on Sunday on a 103-day round-the-world trip to 40 destinations including Madeira, the Cape Verde Islands, the Falklands and San Francisco.
However, a technical fault meant that the £106m cruise liner was unable to set off, and passengers were offered a day trip round the Solent instead.
The ship, carrying 1,769 passengers, is now undergoing repairs and P&O hope to be able to send it off on a shortened trip within days, though the company needs to wait for the results of tests.
A spokeswoman said: "The passengers have been kept informed, and are aware that sea tests are going on."
All customers were offered the chance to disembark, but only seven chose to do so, the spokeswoman added.
The rest of the passengers were enjoying free drinks at the liner's bars and restaurants while the work was being done.
The price of the round-the-world cruise ranges from £9,800 for a cabin to £41,985 for a penthouse suite.
The cost of a trip to the Isle of Wight is normally £9.40.
The Aurora has had a difficult existence since Princess Anne failed to smash a bottle of champagne on it during its 2000 naming ceremony.
It broke down on its maiden voyage while in 2003 1,000 people on board fell ill with a virus.
