News

On the morning of Nov 21, 2024, the Port Authority of Agios Efstratios was informed by the master of the'Blue Star Mykonos', which was performing its scheduled route from Kavala to Myrina – Agios Efstratios – Mytilini – Chios – Vathi – Karlovasi – Fourni – Agios Kyrykos – Mykonos – Syros and Piraeus, that its approach to the port was deemed unsafe due to the adverse weather conditions prevailing in the area. The ship continued its route for the port of Mytilene. Four passengers and two trucks were waiting to disembark on the ship.

70 passengers and crew members of the 'Coral Princess' have fallen ill with norovirus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Nov 19, 2024. The ship, was sailing a month-long route between Singapore and Long Beach with over 2,700 passengers and crew members aboard. 55 passengers have reported being ill with norovirus, according to the CDC's Vessel Sanitation Program. 15 crew members had the same illness. The first illness was reported on Nov. 9, and the ship docked in California on Nov. 17. There were no delays to its arrival, and it embarked on a 16-day journey to Fort Lauderdale on Nov 10. In response to the outbreak, the 'Coral Princess' crew increased cleaning and disinfection procedures, following their prevention and response plan.

On the morning of Nov 21, the Port Authority of Milos was informed by the master of the passenger f'Kydon Palace',which was performing its scheduled route from the port of Heraklion to the ports of Milos and Piraeus, that its approach to the port was considered unsafe due to the adverse weather conditions prevailing. The ship continued its route to the port of Piraeus. At the port of Milos, 44 passengers were waiting to board, four vehicles, a truck and two two-wheelers, while one passenger was about to disembark. The passengers were forwarded to their destination by the care of the ship-owning company.

The legal firm Carter Capner Law is considering a lawsuit that alleges P&O incentivised guests to gamble regardless of their capacity to repay their debts and plied them with free alcohol following the death of a man who jumped overboard the 'Pacifi cAdventure' off Sydney Heads. The firm was investigating a possible suit over “unethical practises” preying on vulnerable passengers in ship casinos in the wake of the incident on May 6, 2024, at 4 a.m. The father-of-three Shane Dixon, 45, fell to his death after amassing a $9,000 casino debt. His body was retrieved by NSW Police Marine Area Command about 10.30 a.m. The man had reportedly lost thousands of dollars over two nights in the ship’s casino. P&O was now accused of incentivising guests to gamble by offering credit regardless of their bank balance and capacity to repay their debts. Despite modifications following the death and subsequent publicity, more still needed to be done. P&O Cruises said they had “Responsible Conduct of Gaming Policies in place on all P&O ships and take those policies seriously”. Carter Capner Law was on the verge of launching a class action against P&O owner Carnival Cruises for the both the recovery of financial losses incurred by former passengers and for “damages for unlawful imprisonment”. The firm alleged that upon arrival back in Sydney the man was held on-board for three hours over his casino debt before threatening to jump overboard and swim to shore, while his partner and three young children waited outside for him. In another alleged case cited by Carter Capner Law, a man claimed he was offered a free cruise with unlimited drinks and a credit limit of $5000 per day despite Carnival Cruises being aware of his previous problems gambling and unpaid debts.

The 'Floating Bridge 6', which crosses the River Medina between Cowes and East Cowes, had to halt crossings on Nov 20, while it has some parts replaced. The operator, Isle of Wight Council, said the ferry needed three new guide wheels and a prow ram cylinder. The ferry was expected to be out of action from 09:00 a.m. - 6 p.m., with a launch service running for pedestrians and cyclists.