Pensioners Passport Palaver

Your passport is fine isn’t it? Well I thought mine was too but after reading a story about an elderly couple from Bolton then you do have to wonder a little. If you have any doubts or have ever had any issue or maybe just an awkward wait or look at passport control it may be worth just checking before you jet off or sail away on your next trip.

My Passport should be ok apart from the horrible Photo inside!

The elderly couple Theresa Stott 78 and husband Norman 84 had been having a lovely time by all accounts on a cruise onboard Fred Olsen’s Boudicca. The three week European cruise had arrived in the Greek Island of Corfu on the 15th June 2016 when the couple were frogmarched off the ship.

Mrs Stott was told there was a problem with her passport and then were escorted off the boat by four men. They were taken by car to an immigration centre, and said they  were sat there with some really suspicious looking characters and did not know what was going on. The officers were looking at them a lot and speaking in their own languages — causing the couple to be in there word “nervous wrecks”.

Once the issue was resolved and no action was taken the couple were allowed to return to the ship. This time however no transport was provided so the Stott’s who both have mobility issues had to walk back to the ship in 40 degree heat. It took the couple 45 minutes and left them exhausted by the time they had returned.

Now it turns out Mrs Stott has been asked questions about her passport before but never had any explanation as to why so she has sent it off to be investigated now she is home. Hopefully that will make sure they never have any kind of issue again.

You have to admire them though as even though the experience was one of the worst of their lives it has not put them of cruising and they have even booked up for another cruise over Christmas.