Hong Kong: The ongoing spat between passengers onboard who travelled with Costa Cruises last week to Vietnam and the travel agent who booked the trip continues to run and run.
When the Costa Victoria returned to Hong Kong last week after a six-day trip to Southeast Asia around 340 passengers refused to disembark in protest at part of their trip – to Halong Bay in northern Vietnam – being aborted. The passenger standoff came to an end after 17 hours, but this meant the giant cruiseship left on its next voyage some eight and a half hours late.
Over the weekend a Costa spokesperson said the company reserved the right to sue the passengers involved. For their part, the passengers continue to lay the blame for the protest at the door of Miramar Travel, and they are demanding an official apology. Miramar has agreed to pay some compensation to the passengers, although many want a higher payback.
The ship failed to call at Halong Bay due to a sunken vessel ahead blocking access to the bay, one of the greatest cruise sites in Asia. [10/02/14]
