NEARLY 2,000 passengers who should have been enjoying a luxury sea cruise have spent the first night of their holiday in Southampton docks.

Luxury liner Aurora, above, was due to leave after a 24-hour delay yesterday for a three-month round-the-world cruise.

But about 1,700 passengers had to wait on board in Southampton docks after repairs to the propeller took longer than expected.

The ship was hit by technical problems as it returned to Southampton at the weekend from the Caribbean, limping into port hours later than expected.

That meant the start of the following cruise was delayed by 24 hours. Then passengers faced a longer wait when the Aurora failed to make it out of port last night.

The 103-day trip has now been cut to 101 days, with a visit to St Vincent in the Cape Verde Islands being axed.

A P&O Cruises spokesman said: "She didn't leave yesterday as expected. The technical problem that delayed embarkation for the world cruise is still being rectified and we're hoping that she will be leaving today.

"The problem is with propulsion, it doesn't affect safety. The passengers spent last night on board in Southampton."

The passengers, who have each paid at least £9,799 for the trip of a lifetime, have been offered a refund to the value of one day of the cruise and a £100 "goodwill gesture".