Queen Victoria Off to Early Drydocking. Two Cruises Cancelled.

Two cruises have been cancelled, as Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria will be heading to her drydocking early amid propulsion problems onboard the ship. Namely, a bearing on one of the ship’s propulsion units needs to be replaced.

The multi-million refit will be undertaken by the Blohm + Voss Shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, in January 2015 instead of December 2015.

The refit will include installation of scrubber technology as the company aims to minimise its environmental impact, along with cabin outfitting and other maintenance work.

The bearing will be replaced by January 20 making the ship ready for ‘Round World Cruise’. However, as a result Cunard cancelled the ship’s 12-night cruise to the Canaries from 13-15 January, as well as a five-night trip to Amsterdam and Cherbourg from 15-20 January 2015.

“Queen Victoria’s multi-million pound refit will ensure this much-loved ship remains in tip-top condition for her World Cruise in 2015 and beyond,” said Angus Struthers, Cunard director. “While we are sorry to be cancelling the two cruises, we are looking forward to welcoming all those affected back aboard a Cunard ship in the near future, perhaps on Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth, both of which will be sailing in 2015 fresh from their makeovers.”

According to Cunard, affected passengers have been offered a future cruise credit of £100 per person which can be used in conjunction with any alternative Cunard booking made for cruises departing within the next two years.

[mappress]
World Maritime News Staff, August 14, 2014