'Voyages of Discovery - M/V Discovery severe engine trouble fixed (at last) - Page 13

Ginzinggirl · 08-09-2008, 01:51 PM

Ally & Neil

Firstly thank you for keeping on top of and reporting all the Discovery problems. I am due to sail later this year with them and have written to VOD asking for a response to the ongoing engine problems. They seem to think that ignoring my letter will suffice! I think it is highly unethical for them not to advise people well before their departure that their itineraries are likely to be cut or cut short. If I fail to get a satisfactory response from them soon I will be going to ABTA to voice my complete disgust at their attitude. This website provides me with all the ammunition I need - so thank you!

P.S. I also contend that the reason their fuel surcharge is the highest in the industry is precisely because they are running three engines and full throttle.

**Ally** · 08-09-2008, 02:03 PM

Firstly, welcome to the CruisingTalk family Ginzinggirl

I have to agree with how you have addressed this problem with VoD. There are many many people...travel agents and guests alike...who are still in the dark about the engine problems aboard Discovery. The sooner they come clean and actually post something on their site, the better it will be for everyone...including themselves.

If they are having problems sourcing parts, that is nothing to be ashamed of, they can come out and say...'sorry but we do have a problem, we are trying to get it fixed but in the meantime please accept our apologies for any itinerary changes made as a result'...It's not that difficult to admit that a problem exists.

This will almost certainly ruin what was an excellent company. I know of many who are now seriously thinking of cancelling cruises...even as far in advance as next spring.

My opinion is that VoD should allow non penalty cancellations for those who just are not happy with how things are progressing.

As for the surcharging, I fear that is being used to pay for the extra fuel on the 3 engines carrying the 4th.

**Ally** · 08-09-2008, 02:12 PM

According to her schedule she was due to leave Flam at 1800 local time. It is now 1911 local time and she is still docked in Flam...This will almost certainly make her late into Bergen tomorrow.

Ginzinggirl · 08-09-2008, 04:23 PM

Appears to be on the move at 9.15pm local time.

**neil** · 08-09-2008, 06:45 PM

Hi Ginzinggirl

Pleased to be of assistance.

Got my tug out again !!!

I knew the mv ' Discovery ' from when she was the original ' Island Princess ' of Princess Cruises.

In those day I was hotel manager on her smaller sister princess ship ' Sun Princess ' which had been the P & O cruise ship ' Spirit of London ' .

She was built for the American market in 1972.

P & O Cruises had some of their other passenger ships on American cruises before ' Spirit of London ' was built and I did some of their first American cruises on their original ss ' Arcadia ' to Alaska. ( Photo of her in Alaska below )

P & O bought up Princess Cruises in the days before they became part of the Carnival group .

I just can not understand how Voyages of Discovery can be so inconsiderate to their passengers.

I think the way they are running things is just adding more nails into their coffin !

As I have mentioned before the ship is listed with Greenpeace as a ship to watch, regarding being sold to be broken up, as according to Greenpeace she contains toxic materials.

It is known that one of the P & O Ferries has been out of service for over six months due to engine problems and parts having to be made as no spare parts were available.

This may be why the mv Discovery is still having problems as with only one ship in their fleet she has to be operated.

I have a friend from Australia who was on her last year, in December, on her Antartic Cruises.

They were going again this year but now they know about the engine problems they are going on a 20 day cruise instead on the Classic International Cruises ship ' Athema ' which dates back to 1948 and was the Swedish passenger ship ' Stockholm ' when built.

I agree with Alley in that if the mv Discovery is not doing the advertised cruise you should be able to cancel and get a full refund including insurance !

From the news reports Voyages of Discovery seem to treat the customers, who book with them, with contempt !

To that there is one answer - Spend your money elsewhere !

Neil

**neil** · 08-09-2008, 06:50 PM

Hi

I got distracted and missed adding the photo of ss Arcadia in Alaska to the above post.

Neil

**Ally** · 08-10-2008, 06:35 AM

She made it to Bergen this morning, not sure when she arrived though. Just see her snout against the Saga ship also in port today. Saga were in Molde yesterday.

**neil** · 08-10-2008, 07:08 AM

Hi

The port information has not been updated since Friday so no news on what time she arrived.

Just been up in my paraglider to make certain she was there !

Photo below,

Neil

**Ally** · 08-10-2008, 07:11 AM

Ya know...its funny....yesterday the webcam was playing up in Flam and now Bergen hasn't updated their arrivals schedule......am I being cynical here or is there any connection with the fact that Discovery isn't running right and they are trying to hide her arrival/departure in the ports?

**neil** · 08-10-2008, 07:58 AM

Hi

She has sunk !

Or sailed early !

See picture below timed at 12.45 hrs !

Neil