Cruise Ship Held in Portugal Over Debt Dispute – 40% Future Cruise Discount for Passengers.

In an unusual situation last week almost 500 passengers were held overnight in Lisbon, Portugal after their ship was denied leave from the port. The Cruise and Maritime Voyages operated MV Azores was served with a court order issued by Portuguese lawyers concerning allegations of an unpaid debt. This led the harbour master refusing to let the ship leave for its next and final port of call in Bristol, UK.

Cruise and Maritime Voyages said the delay was related to a “historic local issue with the vessel’s owning company, Portuscale Cruises.” Eventually an agreement was reached with the Portuguese authorities to allow the ship to sail after a 19-hour delay, MZ Azores docked in Bristol 24 hours later than scheduled.

The reason I mention this is because one of my valued clients was on the aforementioned sailing and despite the issues, booked a future cruise with Cruise and Maritime Voyages through me today. Passengers on board were offered a 40% future cruise discount as a result of the delay and my client took full advantage. She was keen to stress how well they were looked after during the delay and had nothing but praise for the staff and crew of the MV Azores during this ‘unforeseen situation’.

40% discount for having to ‘suffer’ an additional night on holiday – Good work Cruise and Maritime!

All I can say is well done Cruise and Maritime, in the age of maximising profits and passenger capacity it’s good to see a company looking after the one thing that really matters when running a cruise line – the passengers.

Following feedback from my client I for one will be recommending them more in the future.

Bye for now.