Ambassador Cruise Line CEO Christian Verhounig has responded to the occasions that occurred onboard its cruise ship Ambience this week. The firm halted its Festive Market Getaway cruise after company had already boarded the vessel and cancelled its Christmas and New Year Canary Islands cruise for security causes.
The determination was made following the identification of a problem with the lifeboat stations on board Ambience. Verhounig emphasised that the well being and security of all passengers is the corporate’s prime precedence and made clear that the cancellation of the 2 cruises has nothing to do with a advised poor monetary place.
Safety First Says Ambassador Cruise Line CEO
On December 19, company boarded Ambassador Cruise Line’s cruise ship Ambience for a three-day Festive Market Getaway cruise in Tilbury, UK. However, solely hours after boarding, whereas many company had been having fun with their dinner, an announcement was made that they need to disembark the vessel once more the next day, December 20, at 09:30 AM.
In a response posted to his private Facebook web page, Ambassador Cruise Line CEO Christian Verhounig reacted to the information and defined why the cruise line made such a dramatic transfer.
Christian Verhounig, CEO of Ambassador Cruise Line: “As you know, the last two days have seen Ambassador Cruise Line reluctantly terminate its Festive Market Getaway cruise and cancel its Christmas and New Year Canary Islands cruise for safety reasons following the identification of an issue with the lifeboat stations on board our ship, Ambience.”
“It is never an easy decision to cancel or terminate a cruise, particularly at this time of year, but the health and safety of all who sail with Ambassador is and will remain our priority.”
Verhounig additionally addressed hypothesis that the cancellations had been because of the monetary place of Ambassador Cruise Line, stating that the corporate is financially sturdy with belief preparations and full insurance coverage protection in place.
“I want to reassure you that we are a financially robust business with trust arrangements in place and full insurance cover for incidents of this kind.”
“On a personal note, I am sad that we had no option but to withdraw these itineraries. Events like these never happen at a good time, but technical issues and challenges are unfortunately part of a cruise company’s day-to-day life – and we, at Ambassador, will never compromise on the safety of our guests or crew, however low the risk,” Verhounig continued.
Ambience Passed Inspection in March 2022
In March 2022, the Ambience underwent an outdoor inspection of its lifeboat stations, together with required overload assessments, and acquired a 5-year overload certificates.
Verhounig defined that the cancellations had been associated to the upcoming unbiased survey of the Ambience, which is important to resume its Passenger Ship Safety Certificate. During an inside inspection on December 18, varied security, technical, and operational checks had been carried out on the ship, together with an evaluation of the lifeboat stations.
It was found that the lifeboat stations on the Ambience didn’t meet the required security requirements. Verhounig: “During an inspection of the lifeboat stations on Sunday 18th December, the Surveyor observed a slight movement of one of the sheaves used for guiding the steel wire ropes that move and hold the lifeboats in position.”
“When checking on this movement further, the inspection brought to light a hairline crack on the bracket holding these sheaves in position, and more of these were found in a similar position on other brackets.”
While these points weren’t of a nature that may have prevented the vessel from crusing, and the ship remained totally compliant with all SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) laws, the cracks might have doubtlessly prompted points sooner or later.
To restore the cracks, the vessel has been relocated to the Lloyd Werft Shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany, the place lifeboat-related repairs and extra work shall be accomplished.
Ambience Returns to Operations in January
Ambience is anticipated to be totally operational and return to Tilbury in time for the Cuba and Treasures of the Caribbean itinerary on January 5. The firm will present updates on the progress of the repairs.
The 42 Night Cuba & Treasures Of The Caribbean cruise will go to Ports resembling Funchal, Madeira; Mindelo, Cape Verde; Barbados; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Santiago de Cuba and Havana, Cuba; Grand Cayman, and Ponta Delgada, Azores
Verhounig apologized to all company concerned with the cancellation of the 2 voyages. All company will obtain a full refund and a 25% low cost on a brand new reserving or can select to elevate and shift to a distinct cruise with a 50% low cost.