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Pensioners rescued from stranded river cruise ship
Titan has offered customers a full refund after more than 120 passengers were stranded on a Danube river cruise due to torrential rain.
The group of mainly pensioners were finally rescued last night from the Filia Rheni II, operated by Titan Travel for the week-long ‘Danube Waltz Cruise’, after the worst flooding in 100 years.
Although the ship had been anchored near the river bank after leaving Vienna last Saturday, the rising water levels meant the original pontoon was underwater and it was deemed too ‘risky’ to evacuate by dingy.
A new pontoon bridge was constructed and passengers were brought ashore last night in a three-hour operation.
Passengers had to cross over a busy rail line that had to be closed down for the rescue attempt.
Most holidaymakers have caught their existing flights back from Budapest to the UK as the cruise was due to finish today.
Paul Green, director of communications, said: "The early indication was that the rain was going to ease off but then the opposite happened and the water began to rise more.
"It’s difficult to plan for the worst floods in 100 years but in those floods, customers were better off on a luxurious cruise ship with three weeks’ supply of food and wine.
"The feedback has been very positive but obviously there is also disappointment that they haven’t seen what they wanted to see.
"A Titan director was sent to join the ship and we have offered all passengers a full refund or the chance to book another cruise free of charge instead with 15% off a further cruise."
Titan said that there were no medical issues on board the ship, adding that, if necessary, the dingy would have been used to transport passengers.
The cruise ship had just left Vienna last Saturday when the Danube was closed to shipping because the river was so swollen.
The Filia Rheni was one of about 30 moored along the river in Vienna until the water levels drop.
Diane
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