Cruise passengers bound for UK in 19-hour delay after ship impounded

Around 500 holidaymakers heading back to Bristol were delayed for 19 hours after their cruise ship was impounded in a Lisbon harbour.

The MV Azores had been due to leave the Portuguese capital for Avonmouth for the last leg of its journey on Tuesday night, but the vessel did not leave until Wednesday afternoon.

The passengers had enjoyed a 15-night trip around Spain, the Azores, and Madeira, and were waiting to return back to Bristol when the ship was impounded.

There was reportedly a legal debate between a former crew member and the ship's owners, who were served with a summons for an allegedly unpaid debt.

The Bristol Post reports that lawyers placed a court order on the ship over a "historic" financial wrangle, and the harbour master refused to let the ship leave.

The ship is operated by Crusie & Maritime Voyages, based in Essex, but the legal dispute was between owners Portuscale Cruise, from which they charter the vessel, and a former member of staff.

The cruise firm finally came to an arrangement with Portuguese authorities and the ship sailed at 2pm on Wednesday.

Passengers were given access to a complimentary bar and helped with onward journeys.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Chris Coates, Commercial Director for Cruise & Maritime Voyages,"The delay of the MV Azores overnight in Lisbon related to a historic local issue with the vessel's owning company, Portuscale Cruises from whom Cruise & Maritime Voyages charter the ship using our own crew.

"This dispute involved a previous crewing issue going back to 2014 and was settled first thing this morning.

"But we had to wait for the clearance documentation to be signed off by the local authorities. The ship is now heading en-route back to the UK."

According to Cruise Critic, he added: "On behalf of Cruise & Maritime Voyages, I would like to extend our sincere apologies for the delay and any disruption caused."

Passengers on the ship have been offered a 40 percent future cruise discount on selected CMV cruises, as well as a 10 percent discount off their onboard spend.