Thomson cruise ship

MORE than 1,200 cruise passengers due to leave Liverpool for four days on the high seas have been left stranded – and will spend their entire holiday in Bootle docks.

The holiday-makers, who were due to travel on a mini-cruise to Ireland taking in Dublin and Cork, will instead be left with views of a large scrap heap at Langton Dock.

The passengers, who in total will have spent well over £350,000 between them on the trip, will not get a refund from cruise operator Thomson because the excursion was cancelled due to forecasts of high gales. The travel company said last night that just 75 passengers had decided to return home, but that 1,226 remained either onboard or had travelled to Liverpool city centre, and that spirits on the ship remained high.

Passengers remaining will receive full cruise service on board the Thomson Celebration, including the traditional Captain’s Gala dinner – despite being stranded in the less than salubrious location.

Prices for the “Taste of Ireland” cruise to Dublin and Cork started at £294 per person onboard the 34,000-tonnes cruise liner, which is now stationed at Langton Cruise Terminal, a quayside warehouse with only very basic modification.

Located deep in the dockland, it is difficult for passenger access and in very unappealing surroundings.