HAL cancels 3rd Canada/New England cruise

By Jerry Limone

Holland America Line has cancelled a third consecutive Canada/New England voyage due to a technical problem with a propeller. 

The seven-day sailing of the Veendam was scheduled to depart Quebec for Boston on Oct. 11; an Oct. 2 cruise from Boston was cancelled last week.

Since cancelling a Sept. 28 departure from Quebec, HAL had been doing repair work on the Veendam in Quebec. However, on Friday HAL said it had been determined that a complete repair can only be made in a drydock. 

HAL said the ship would sail under its own power without guests from Quebec to Philadelphia, where the drydock work will take place. 

“We are profoundly sorry for the disappointment of our guests who have been impacted by these required repairs,” HAL said.

Guests booked on the seven-day Oct. 11 sailing will receive a full refund of their cruise fare plus a future cruise credit of 100% of their cruise fare paid. In addition, HAL said it will reimburse non-refundable expenses such as missed tours and excursions that were purchased through Holland America Line.

Propeller problems halt P&O cruise

Propeller problems halt P&O cruise

Technical problems force P&O cruise to return home three days early

A P&O cruise vessel is having to return to port in the UK early after a technical issue with a propeller slowed its progress on a holiday to Madeira, the Spanish Islands and Portugal.

The Oriana will return to Southampton Port three days early, and passengers will have the option to disembark when they arrive or remain until the planned arrival date.

They have also been offered a refund consisting of 40 per cent of the original ticket price in cash or 100 per cent in credit to use on a future occasion.

P&O Cruises' director Christopher Edgington was quick to apologise, saying: "Our decision to bring back the ship early has not been taken lightly and I am sorry that our customers' holiday plans have been impacted."

He added that although the repairs were required urgently, passenger lives were never in any danger and they were kept fully informed of the situation at all times