TRAVELSCOPE has defended its health and safety procedures following the deaths of passengers on both its ships.
The Gloucester-based cruise operator’s Athena was due in Falmouth on Wednesday following an ill-feted transatlantic cruise during which a 70-year-old passenger died after falling on steps in bad weather.
The ship was delayed, had to miss ports of call and re-route via Brest in northern France and after the problems were reported in the local press managing director Richard Ford went to the port today to meet disgruntled customers as they disembarked.
In a statement Travelscope, which started selling through travel agents last October, said: “Unfortunately the cruise was affected by bad weather conditions for much of the time, resulting in the itinerary having to be revised for the safety and comfort of the passengers.
“The ship was then subject to delayed entry into the US because of US Customs and Immigration formalities and issues surrounding documentation. In view of the understandable disappointment, passengers enjoyed a number of free shore excursions and a free bar.
“We deeply sympathise with the relatives of the passenger who sadly died on the outbound crossing to Canada. The appropriate authorities have carried out their investigations and we have no reason to believe this was anything other than a tragic accident.”
On Tuesday, an inquest heard how retired teacher Edith Horn, 78, died in June after contracting norovirus on a Norwegian cruise a month after the operator’s other ship, the Van Gogh, was impounded following a previous outbreak.
The Chelmsford coroner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes after hearing Mrs Horn had been given the apporopriate treatement by the ship’s doctor.
In a further statement Travelscope said: “All the precautions and measures were approved and beyond that normally regarded as appropriate by the health authorities.”