Southampton-Newcastle cruise cancelled after | The Independent

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A two-night cruise from Southampton to Newcastle, which was priced at lower than the rail and air fare, has been cancelled “following on from some reported cases of gastro-related illness on board”.

Balmoral was attributable to sail from the Hampshire port to the Tyne on Wednesday night. But the ship returned to the Solent from a two-week Northern Lights cruise to Norway on Wednesday morning with some passengers affected by abdomen complaints.

A spokesperson for the cruise line, Fred Olsen, mentioned: “For the safety and comfort of our guests, we will be completing a deep clean upon our arrival into Southampton, which will cause delays to our planned departure time on this short cruise.

“In addition, sailing with no guests on board will enable this deep clean to be as effective as possible before new guests embark in Newcastle.”

Balmoral is because of sail from the Tyneside port on Friday night, 1 March, on a nine-day Northern Lights cruise to Norway.

The cancelled crusing was a “repositioning” voyage between Southampton and Newcastle. Cruise traces usually promote such journeys cheaply.

Cabins on the vessel have been offered for as little as £99 per individual for the 35-hour voyage, together with all meals and leisure.

The Fred Olsen spokesperson mentioned: “All guests who were due to join us on this cruise have been offered the chance to transfer their booking to Bolette’s two-night spring mini cruise in April, or receive a full refund.”

This departure from Southampton, on 17 April, is to Liverpool. It will take passengers alongside the south coast of England to the western tip of Cornwall, then north by way of the Irish Sea previous Anglesey to the Mersey.

The value of £199 compares with £56 one-way from Southampton to Liverpool on South Western Railway and Avanti West Coast through London on the identical day.

There aren’t any flights from Southampton to both Liverpool or close by Manchester, so Bolette doesn’t supply a direct different to flying from the south coast to northwest England.