Passengers aboard P&O Cruises’ flagship Britannia encountered technical difficulties during a Caribbean voyage that necessitated an unscheduled return to Barbados for inspection and repair. The 143,000-ton vessel had sailed from Bridgetown on December 26th on a 14-night itinerary, but subsequent adjustments saw planned calls at Aruba and St Lucia removed from the schedule.
P&O Cruises later confirmed that the ship’s itinerary had been amended as a result of a technical matter requiring assistance ashore, leading to the decision for Britannia to berth in Barbados. The company indicated that the issue was resolved and that the vessel resumed its planned route, calling at Martinique and St Maarten on the originally intended dates. It was also stated that passengers were kept informed throughout and that apologies were offered for the changes to the programme.
Accounts from those on board suggested that the difficulties were associated with elements of the ship’s power and propulsion systems. Among the incidents reported was a loss of electrical power while the ship was alongside in Curaçao, during which lighting failed before emergency systems restored electricity approximately half an hour later.
For more P&O Britannia incidents and accidents, see the ship's CruiseMinus page.