Queen Mary 2: Cunard passenger 'disappointed' at cancelled cruise

The Hampshire resident is among 2,000 passengers who had their holidays scuppered due to a "technical issue" on Cunard's flagship ocean liner.

The ship arrived in Southampton ahead of schedule on Saturday night to be assessed.

She was due to depart for New York on Sunday evening, however, just two hours before passengers were due to embark, an email informed them the transatlantic crossing had been cancelled.

Queen Mary 2 at Ocean Cruise Terminal (Image: Matt Davey)

A 45-year-old woman from Waterlooville, who didn’t want to be named, had been looking forward to celebrating her husband's birthday aboard the famous ship.

She said: “This would have been my first cruise and I think it will be my last.

“Considering it’s quite high end we feel a bit let down by the cruise company because we had a text at 9.45am this morning and when we tried to ring the phone lines were closed.

“So, we weren’t quite sure whether to believe it but we certainly feel really disappointed at how the day has unfolded.”

READ MORE: Queen Mary 2 Southampton to New York voyage cancelled

Laure Delaporte travelled from Paris to Southampton with her husband, only to find out the journey had been cancelled upon arrival.

She told the Daily Echo: “We’ve travelled from Paris to be on this cruise to New York, but we found out half an hour ago it had been cancelled.

“I think we will get to New York one way or another but now it will be by plane which isn’t ideal, so we need to ask some questions and find out what happens.”

In an email to passengers, a Cunard spokesperson said: “Queen Mary 2 arrived into Southampton late last night for assessment of a technical issue.

“Unfortunately, after further investigation, it has been confirmed that this work will take longer to resolve than anticipated and the ship is unable to sail until this is completed.

“Therefore, we are so sorry to advise that voyage M310/A on Queen Mary 2 can no longer continue as planned to New York and is now cancelled.”

Bruce Ohms and his wife admitted “there’s not a lot you can do” as they wandered through the dock’s Ocean Cruise Terminal looking for ways to head home State side.

Mr Ohms said: “We’ve just flown in having spent two weeks in London and Ireland. It’s just not like a plane with a cruise ship because you have 3,000 people to deal with.

“We’ve received an email from the cruise, but it basically leaves you on your own. We wanted to come down here and make sure it wasn’t a hoax! Ultimately, we’re just trying to get back home.”

Cunard said passengers would receive a full refund and a Future Cruise Credit of 20 per cent to be used in the next two years.