ANOTHER cruise run by a beleaguered Glasgow-based holiday company has been cancelled, this time just five hours after 1000 passengers had boarded the ship.
Last month the same vessel, the 32,000-ton SS Edinburgh Castle, was delayed, due to technical difficulties, and up to 40 travellers then refused to sail after complaining of flood damage in their cabins. Early this month, the Edinburgh Castle's sister ship, the SS Apollo, also suffered a cancellation.
The firm, Direct Cruises, said the latest hitch was caused by an electrical short-circuit on the liner's main switchboard.
Temporary repairs were carried out at sea, but further work was necessary, the company added.
Direct Holidays chairman, Mr John Boyle, named Scotland's entrepreneur of the year in 1997, was not available for comment yesterday, but managing director Duncan Wilson admitted there had been an ''unfortunate technical problem''.
He said that it would take ''several days to sort out'' and added that passengers would be offered their money back and a free 10-day cruise starting on Friday, with planned ports of call including Cadiz, Malaga, Gibraltar and Lisbon.
The Edinburgh Castle had been due to set sail from Liverpool for a luxury cruise around the Mediterranean.
Passengers were told by the captain on the liner's public address system at about 10pm on Sunday that they should disembark by noon yesterday.
In a statement, Captain Ian Sabet, later added: ''On behalf of Direct Cruises, myself and all of the ship's company, I apologise for any inconvenience caused.
''I am sure that you all appreciate that this decision has not been made lightly. It has been taken to ensure that we maintain our required standards.
''Passengers will be asked to rejoin the vessel on Friday. The shortened cruise will be completely free of charge and passengers will receive a full refund of all monies paid.
''Needless to say, any passengers not wishing to travel will receive a full refund plus any travel expenses incurred.''
However, there were complaints by passengers over the cancel-lation. One couple were said to have booked the cruise as a 30th wedding anniversary celebration. Their daughter was reported to have described the postponement as ''disgusting''.
The Edinburgh Castle first ran into difficulties when passengers refused to sail last month because of damage caused by a burst pipe. Some of those holidaymakers were offered alternative cruises on the Apollo, but it suffered problems earlier this month.
About 900 passengers were told the trip to Casablanca and the Canary Isles had been cancelled after bad weather left workmen too seasick to get the ship ready in time. At the time, it was said compensation claims could top #1m.
Mr Boyle said then that ''honesty was the best policy'' and nothing should be done to compromise the holiday firm's standards.
Direct Cruises was launched last year as a subsidiary of the Direct Holidays company.
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