Cunard has been forced to cancel a 16-night cruise on Queen Victoria due to a mechanical failure.
The 16-night Mediterranean cruise due to depart from Southampton on October 3 has been dropped because the ship needs to undergo emergency repair work in Germany.
The 2,014-passenger ship has suffered a problem with one of its propulsion units meaning a reduction in its usual operating speed of about 10%.
The ship’s next sailing is expected to go ahead before it goes into dry dock for repairs.
The 16-night Adriatic Discovery voyage was due to sail from Southampton and call at Cadiz, Katakolon, Corfu, Split, Venice, Dubrovnik and Malaga.
Affected passengers are being offered an alternative cruise or a full refund. An additional 15% future cruise credit is also being offered in both cases, the line said.
Queen Victoria, launched in 2007, is currently in the Atlantic off Portugal returning from a Mediterranean cruise where it suffered the problems with one of its propulsion units.
Cunard said there was no danger to passengers on board.
The ship is due to return to service on October 17 with a new two-night cruise from Southampton. The ship will then set out on a 23-night Caribbean voyage on October 19 as scheduled.
Cunard said that essential maintenance work needed to be carried out on Queen Victoria.
The line has therefore taken the “regrettable but unavoidable” decision to cancel the October 3 sailing.
“The work relates to one of Queen Victoria’s propulsion units. Although there are no safety issues relating to this maintenance, it does preclude the ship achieving the speeds required to deliver the voyage itinerary and therefore it is necessary to take the ship out of service for a short period,” a statement said.
Cunard president and managing director Peter Shanks said: “We are very sorry to disrupt our passengers’ travel plans.
“We are doing all we can to minimise the impact on our passengers and to help everyone affected find suitable alternative holidays.”
The dry dock work will take place in Bremerhaven, Germany.