While coming to a cruise port after the embarkation window is a surefire way to not be able to board and disrupt one’s travels, boarding delays and cancellations happen periodically for a wide range of reasons.
On May 9, travelers aboard the new 6,700-passenger Disney Adventure ship were forced to disembark for one night into a four-day journey due to a mechanical issue with propulsion.
Disney offered travelers refunds and a future credit for the inconvenience, but the “cruise to nowhere” caused much disappointment as it was one of the first trips the new ship made from Singapore since Disney Cruise Line’s much-anticipated entry into the Asian market.
The latest boarding chaos occurred on May 11 with the luxury Carnival branch Cunard.
Approximately 100 travelers who were waiting to board the 2,996-passenger Queen Anne in England’s Southampton reported “complete chaos” as the ship’s departure was abruptly pushed back from 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. due to a suspected gas leak that ended up being a false alarm.
“A smell of gas that resulted in a brief evacuation”: Cunard passengers briefly stranded
“There was a call for a smell of gas that resulted in a brief evacuation of the gates, but it was soon discovered to be a false alarm and the gates were reopened shortly after,” local gas supplier SGN said in a statement on the situation.
During the period when the suspected gas leak was being investigated, approximately 100 passengers who had arrived at the gate were asked to wait at the nearby VOCO hotel. Heavy traffic of those arriving for boarding also built up in long lines through West Quay road and Itchen Bridge leading up to the port.
Related: Disney abruptly cancels cruise sailing, offers refunds
While they were eventually able to board in a few hours, many described the chaos around feeling stranded and not knowing whether they would be able to take off for the 18-day journey around the Greek Islands.
“It’s a lovely thing, our 20th anniversary, and we were just hoping to get on the ship,” passenger Susan Drecksler, who was waiting to board with her 77-year-old husband Lawrence, described to The Mirror. “Now we’re stuck in a hotel, it’s the no knowledge bit that’s the worst. First they said it could be half an hour, now they’re saying three to four.”
Image source: Cunard.
Queen Anne gas risk clear, ship takes off for Greek journey
The Queen Anne ultimately took off in the evening of May 11 after the potential risk at gates 4 and 5 was cleared and boarding could resume.
ABP, the company which operates Southampton Port, put out a statement saying that it “apologize[s] for the inconvenience this has caused and thank[s] everyone for their patience.”
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Founded in 1840 as a British shipping company, Cunard is owned by Carnival and currently has four cruise ships that run longer ocean itineraries often spanning multiple countries.
The southwestern English city of Southampton is the home port from which the majority of Cunard trips depart. The Queen Anne was added to the cruise line’s fleet in 2024 and so is its newest and most luxurious ocean liner.
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