QE2 passengers seek legal advice over Trafalgar 200 cruise
14/07/2005
Alexander Harris are acting for a large number of QE2 passengers who were let down after expecting to be at the 'heart and soul' of the Trafalgar 200 celebrations in July.
We found you very professional as well as approachable, helpful and caring. We can now move on and look forward to a more stable and secure future. I am sure that this would not have happened without yourselves being involved.
Jayne, EveshamPassengers were furious when they found out that the ship would be positioned three miles away from the festivities.
"We are acting for a large number of passengers who were on the QE2," said Simon Taylor of Alexander Harris, specialist travel litigation solicitor.
"Their claims have been formally set out to Cunard and a full admission of liability has been requested."
Passengers expressed anger at Cunard for stating in their brochures and advertisements that the QE2 was to be the fleet flagship for the celebrations.
Passengers approached Alexander Harris after attempts to resolve their complaints with Cunard left them more disgruntled.
"Passengers paid on average £1500 per cabin to see the unique celebrations in their full glory as advertised in the brochure. Instead they barely saw the event at a distance and understandably feel that their trip was mis-sold," added Simon.
"Cunard originally offered passengers a £150 voucher towards their next Cunard cruise. Our clients were wholly unsatisfied with this offer and we are now pursuing claims against Cunard to obtain proper compensation.
"It is important that other passengers understand that acceptance of this voucher may rule out any right to further compensation and we would strongly urge them to seek legal advice before doing so."
A petition of 700 signatures was collected by passengers and handed to the captain when they found out the position the ship would occupy in the celebrations.
Trevor Towill from the Isle of Wight was one of the passengers who instigated the petition in an attempt to get the famous cruise liner to anchor closer to the celebrations.
"The brochure said that we would be at the 'heart and soul' of the celebrations. It said we would be anchored at Spithead, but we were very angry that we would be miles away. We could hardly see anything. Fireworks were way off in the distance and we didn't see the fly-by from the Red Arrows. Instead, we were told that we could watch the enactment of the Battle of Trafalgar via TV screens on-board. We could have done that at home and at far less expense," said Trevor, who paid £2300 for the four day cruise.
Notes to Editors
- All media enquiries should be directed to the media department at Alexander Harris on 08700 77 88 77.
- Interviews are available from clients and solicitor Simon Taylor.
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