> > I find it hard to believe, but some really strange things are going on in Mobile, Alabama. A cruise ship sailed out of there recently with "propulsion problems."
>
> Beat this:
>
> It was billed as the "Grand Voyage", a 103-night cruise to 40 ports in 23 countries on board the Aurora, pride of the P & O fleet. Some had paid up to £42,000 for a cruise taking in destinations as exotic as the Cape Verde Islands and Easter Island. But the only port the passengers saw was Southampton.
>
> Sunday, Jan 9: Aurora, due to sail in the evening, docks with mechanical problems to propulsion motor. P & O advises passengers to arrive a day late.
>
> Jan 10: All 1,759 passengers on board, but repairs not complete. P & O offers free drinks as compensation.
>
> Jan 11: Passengers told that repairs are complete, but must be tested at sea. Aurora sails into Solent.
>
> Jan 12: Aurora returns to its berth. P & O identifies fault but says it will take six days to fix and test.
>
> Jan 13: Passengers told they can leave ship at their leisure, either to go home until vessel is ready or to visit Southampton city centre.
>
> Jan 14: P & O tries to convey image of stiff upper lip among "supportive" passengers, while stressing cruise will go ahead.
>
> Jan 15 -17: Entertainers are brought in to amuse the passengers
>
> Jan 17: Sea trials in Solent (again) and back to Southampton in the evening.
>
> Jan 18: Delayed departure day dawns with engineers still working on the faulty motor. P & O "confident" ship will depart at 5pm. Several more passengers leave. As darkness falls passengers, go on deck to wave goodbye to Britain as band plays on dockside. Aurora does not sail.
>
> Jan 19: P & O acknowledges repairs still under way, but insists Aurora will depart in the evening, after final tests at its berth. 385 passengers lose patience and decide to leave ship. But.... at 8.35pm, Aurora sets sail.
>
> Jan 20: Aurora at last makes it past Isle of Wight and heads into open sea. But once it begins to pick up speed it becomes clear starboard side propulsion motor is still faulty. P & O admits defeat and tells passengers cruise is off. In stormy seas, Aurora turns around and heads back to Southampton.
>
> This ship is only 4 years old. But the omens were bad. When it was launched, the bottle of champagne refused to smash.
>
> Sally"I prefer dry land" M

I'm not going to try to top that! It sort of blows your mind doesn't it? I hope P & O never goes into the airline business.

But the funny thing is that I will probably go right ahead and book another cruise this spring. I have had nothing by good experiences on cruises.
Howard