Cruise PassengerCurrently sailing on an 18-day Antarctica voyage, the Orion changed course in accordance with ‘Safety of Life at Sea’ procedures to rescue the stranded Delord who had sent a distress call out on Friday after abandoning his yacht.
The diversion meant that a scheduled call into Macquarie Island was cancelled.
“I’m not sure they (Orion) realised how much we really missed the whole experience of actually getting on the ice (because of the conditions around Antarctica), getting on Macquarie Island,” Adelaide passenger Ted Lojszczyk told Australian paper The Daily Telegraph.
“The dollars you spend, it’s an experience once in a lifetime so we wonder what will be put on the table once we actually go and discuss it.”
Orion has flown in two representatives to meet with passengers onboard individually to discuss the itinerary change and resolve any issues they may have.
“In recognition of the inconvenience caused to the passengers from the unexpected diversion from the planned itinerary, Orion has, as a gesture of goodwill, offered the affected passengers a choice of a partial refund or a future cruise credit,” an Orion spokesperson told e-Travel Blackboard.
“In addition due to the earlier than scheduled arrival back in Hobart, Orion’s team have put together three days of touring of Tasmania’s coastal highlights.”
63-year old Delord expressed his thanks through a translator at a press conference in Hobart on Monday.
“Thank you to the Australian maritime authorities and thank you to Orion,” Mr Delord said.
Words: Natalie Aroyan