Furious luxury cruise passengers forced to sleep rough in freezing conditions after being left stranded ashore
PASSENGERS on a luxury cruise had to sleep rough in freezing conditions after being left stranded ashore.
More than 1,000 people dropped off by small boats in Monte Carlo were unable to return to P&O’s Azura.
Choppy waters meant they could not be safely picked up.
The 1,170, who were mostly Brits, were stranded for 24 hours.
They were taken to a basketball court, where many slept on tables.
Others were put on makeshift beds outside or huddled together on the floor.
Mum-of-two Julie Rowson, who was stranded, said: “It was horrendous. It’s spoilt our holiday.
“We were supposed to be spending the day in the most luxurious and expensive place on earth but had to spend the night sleeping on a floor.
MONTE CARLO CHAOS
“I’m very angry and upset. It’s a disgrace. It was very cold. There were a lot of elderly people there.”
The passengers had left the ship for their day out at 10am on Saturday. But they could not return until 10am today.
Customer services adviser Julie, 47, of Cannock, Staffs, said the ride to Monaco on small tender boats was bumpy.
She added: “The P&O people were telling us it was fine to travel but the sea was very rough. When we got there it was lovely. It’s a brilliant place. It was great to see how the other half live.
“In the afternoon we made our way back to go back on the lifeboats to get on the cruise and there were problems.
“There was delay after delay. It was getting very cold.
‘A DISGRACE’
“By 10.45pm we were told we could not travel and we were going to this basketball court.
“We were told there was a swell in the water. We were just given towels.”
Julie has been on holiday with husband Paul, 48, and their children.
The Mediterranean cruise’s next stop is at Cartagena in Spain tomorrow. It ends in Southampton on Saturday.
A spokesman for P&O Cruises said tonight: “Due to unexpected poor sea conditions it was necessary to stop tender operations in Monte Carlo yesterday.
“Shelter and food were provided by the ship’s crew for those guests still on shore.
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“Guests travelled from Monte Carlo to neighbouring Villefranche this morning where the tendering operations were resumed.
“All guests are now back on board. We are so sorry that this happened.
“It’s certainly not what we would ever want for our guests but safety is our absolute priority.”
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