- The two-week cruise began on October 24, but ended prematurely due to the storm
- Spanish ports were closed due to bad weather, forcing crews to return to the United Kingdom
- Were YOU on board the cruise ship? Email david.averre@mailonline.co.uk
About 100 holidaymakers were injured on Saturday when a Saga cruise ship bound for Britain was battered by gale-force winds and 30-foot waves as it crossed the Bay of Biscay off the west coast of France.
The passengers and crew of the cruise ship ‘Spirit of Discovery’ faced a harrowing ordeal when they had to cut short their trip to the Canary Islands last week because weather reports predicted a horrific storm.
The ship left Britain on October 24 for a two-week cruise, but on Saturday the decision was made to abandon the last few days and return to Britain to avoid the approaching storm.
But as they sailed through the Bay of Biscay, strong winds and choppy waters overtook them, and around 12:30 p.m. conditions were so rough that the ship’s automatic safety system was activated.
The ship’s engines fired and sent the ship into a sharp turn, causing about 100 passengers to suffer minor injuries as they were overwhelmed and fell to the ground or crashed into furniture.
For the next 18 hours, passengers – including five who suffered more serious injuries – were forced to weather the brutal storm, nursing their wounds as the ship held its position and waited for the worst to pass.
In a letter to passengers seen by Portsmouth outlet The newsSaga Cruises CEO Nigel Blanks tried to calm the traumatized passengers, acknowledging the “extremely frightening time” while insisting the ship remained “safe.”
Blanks also promised details of compensation following the “disappointing ending” of the ill-fated cruise.
The passengers and crew of cruise ship ‘Spirit of Discovery’ (pictured) faced a harrowing ordeal when they were forced to cut short a trip to the Canary Islands last week
1,000 passengers boarded the cruise, 10 percent of whom were injured.
The five more seriously injured passengers were treated at the ship’s medical center and were taken to hospital as a precaution last night after the ship finally arrived in Portsmouth harbour.
In response to questions about the decision to return to Britain via the Bay of Biscay, Saga claimed that continuing the original tour or choosing an alternative route would have meant facing the storm head-on.
The crew initially planned to dock at the port of La Coruna in northwestern Spain, but along the way were told that the port was closed due to bad weather, forcing them to continue north and cross Biscay on way to Great Britain.
The company claims that the vessel was adequately prepared for the expected challenging conditions.
A statement from Saga Cruises said: ‘Spirit of Discovery was unfortunately caught out by challenging weather conditions this weekend as she began her return to Britain.
‘The ship remained safe at all times, but the impact of the storm caused some guests to sustain injuries. All were immediately treated by medical personnel on board.
‘While the weather is clearly beyond our control, we would like to sincerely apologize to all those affected who are now safely on their way home in calmer seas.’