| Journal: TWUK | Section: |
| Title: | Issue Date: 08/05/00 |
| Author: | Page Number: 3 |
| Copyright: Other |
P&O pledges to pay Aurora commissions
P&O CRUISES has promised to protect travel agency commissions over bookings on the aborted maiden voyage of its new ship, Aurora.The 1, 870-passenger vessel, which was fully booked, turned back to Southampton only 18hrs into a two-week Mediterranean cruise after a propeller shaft bearing overheated.
It has now gone into dry dock at the Blohm and Voss shipyard in Germany and P&O expects it to be ready to undertake its second voyage out of Southampton on May 15. This cruise is also fully booked.
Managing director Gwyn Hughes said: “This situation was totally unforeseen as all the necessary rigorous tests and checks were completed satisfactorily before Aurora entered service.”
The ship was officially named by the Princess Royal in Southampton two weeks ago.
P&O has offered passengers on Aurora’s aborted maiden voyage a full refund plus a free cruise at a later date.
n See special report on Aurora, page 26
Hughes: totally unforeseen