Passengers on QE2 lose out as ship remains anchored in deep water
01/07/2005
May I thank you for the way my accident claim has been handled, after my accident my confidence was very low indeed but the sympathetic handling of my case restored my confidence.
John, SheffieldAlexander Harris have been contacted by a number of disappointed passengers from the QE2.
Two hundred passengers who had paid hundreds of pounds for a grandstand view of the Trafalgar 200 celebrations were angry to find themselves far from the action this week as the celebrations got underway.
They had been promised the ship would be at the heart and soul of the celebrations, but when they arrived they were told that the ship would be anchored nearly three miles away from Tuesday's fleet review.
Over two hundred passengers signed a petition to the Captain.
The shipping company, Cunard, said that the captain had decided to anchor the vessel in deep water, and that his primary responsibility was the safety of his crew and passengers.
Prices for places on the ship range from between £800 and £3, 5000 for the five day cruise.
Many of the passengers said that they felt the trip had been mis-sold. One such passenger commented in a national news report:
"We're right out on the peripheral, just a dot on the map."
Trafalgar 200 is a series of celebrations being held by The Royal Navy summer in Portsmouth this to mark the bicentennial of the Battle of Trafalgar and the death of Admiral Lord Nelson.
During the celebrations Her Majesty the Queen attended the International Fleet Review at Spithead.
Ships from all over the world set sail to take part from countries as far away as South Korea and Japan.
Simon Taylor, specialist travel litigation solicitor said today:
"These passengers are obviously disappointed to be so far away from the Trafalgar 200 celebrations. The cruise was sold on the basis that they would be an integral part of the event, and they have paid significant sums of money for that privilege. They may have strong claims for compensation as a result of the cruise being mis-sold to them"
He added;
"The scale of anger and dissatisfaction with the cruise is considerable" and urged people with potential claims against Cunard to come forward.
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