Cruise Co abandons ship
2004-01-19 15:22
Johannesburg - Starlight Cruises - the company that hired the ship "The Olympia Countess" - decided to cancel the rest of the season's cruises on Monday, as her owners had still not resolved their financial difficulties.
The Countess has been "under arrest" in Durban harbour since January 8, awaiting resolution of financial disputes between her owners, Royal Olympic Cruises (ROC), and the European creditors who obtained the warrant for her seizure.
"Starlight (has) no alternative but to act in the interests of the guests to whom it caters, and officially declare the 2003/4 cruise season ended" a media statement read.
Starlight said ROC had given them "repeated assurances" that the situation would be resolved soon, but hundreds of holiday makers had already had their trips cancelled, and others waited anxiously for the outcome.
"While we believe that the ship owners will eventually reach an accord with the disputing parties, we no longer believe that this will happen in sufficient time to salvage any remaining part of the original season", Allan Foggitt said.
He said Starlight regretted disappointing their passengers, but was "gratified that not a single client will forfeit even a single rand of their cruise fare".
Passengers had the option of taking up other, similarly-priced, holiday options, or receiving a full refund, he said.
He requested that passengers fill in a refund form which could be collected at any Starlight office.
- SAPA