Thousands of holidaymakers are stranded on a stricken cruise ship in Barcelona and thousands more have been told an upcoming trip trip has been cancelled.
Passengers who spent more than £1,000 each are furious after the Norwegian Pearl suffered an engine problem and missed stops in Palma and Monaco.
It is being held in Barcelona for an extra night as it nears the end of a 13-night cruise that began in Amsterdam on June 22.
An upcoming cruise to the Greek Isles and Italy has been cancelled, a costly disruption for passengers now stranded in Rome and scrambling to book hotels or new flights.
Holidaymaker Sharon Walker, who is stuck onboard in Barcelona after arriving on Tuesday, told Mirror Online: "I don't think we're going anywhere."
Are you stranded onboard or has your cruise been cancelled? Email webnews@mirror.co.uk.
Ms Walker, a PhD student in the School of Law at NUI Galway in Ireland, said almost 2,400 passengers are on the 13-year-old ship.
Thousands more were given just three days' notice that their cruise to Greece and Italy had been cancelled.
Ms Walker, 42, said: "We don't really know what is happening. There has been no official announcement.
"Monaco was cancelled yesterday and now it looks like we're not going to leave Barcelona.
"I don't think we're going anywhere. I think we're going to have to make our own arrangements to go home."
As passengers complained about a lack of information, Norwegian Cruise Line told Mirror Online the vessel would remain in Barcelona an extra night before sailing to Livorno, Italy, and on to a port near Rome, where it will conclude its 13-night voyage on Friday.
Many passengers had already booked flights from Rome to return home or continue their holidays.
Ms Walker said passengers were told the ship had suffered an electrical problem which affected its propulsion system.
She said people were growing increasingly frustrated and angry, adding: "A lot of people have been put out by this.
"There are a lot of Americans and some Australians onboard as well, and it’s going to cost a lot of money for the families to fly back."
Ms Walker, who is on holiday with her partner, said Norwegian had offered free shuttle buses to the airport in Barcelona to those who wanted to cut their trip short.
They were told they would get half of their money back and the rest would be credit for a future cruise.
The cruise line is offering just £235 per person in flight expenses.
Ms Walker said: "We were supposed to go to Palma and it was cancelled.
"We were meant to arrive in Barcelona yesterday after stopping in Monaco but Monaco was cancelled.
"We were meant to leave the port in Barcelona this morning for Livorno but we haven't left.
"It looks like we may have to disembark.
"There are a lot of people getting more and more angry as the day progresses."
A passenger who is stuck on board tweeted: “The Norwegian Pearl has now cancelled two ports of call during its voyage without giving passengers compensation.
"Absolutely unacceptable, especially for a vacation this expensive.
"Will never sail NCL again.”
Another passenger wrote: "So we didn't expect this to happen on our cruise this year #norwegianpearl #stranded #us.
"Thousands of passengers stuck on stricken cruise ship in Barcelona."
And one tweeted: "Stuck on Norwegian Pearl in Barcelona. Already missed two shore stops.
"No info from NCL. Learned on internet that next cruise has been canceled.
"Don’t know how to get to Rome for flights home. Come on NCL."
A customer who booked a spot on the next cruise starting Friday, which has been cancelled, wrote: "Really @CruiseNorwegian? Now we are stuck in Rome for 13 days with no hotel.
"My bf and I planned this trip 9 months ago, and this is how you treat your loyal customers?"
A woman from Puerto Rico found out that her cruise had been cancelled before flying to Europe.
She tweeted: "I just got to NY, my flight to Rome is in an hour. I am FROM PUERTO RICO and after 2 hrs in a call with customer service they just said to go back to PR. They can’t solve anything.
"They also said to pay a flight from Rome to Barcelona to take another cruise but also pay the other cruise because the refund we won't have it for another 7-10 days."
Passengers who were due to go on the cancelled cruise were informed on Tuesday and told that they would be given a full refund for the sailing and any pre-booked shore excursions.
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A Norwegian Cruise Line spokeswoman told Mirror Online: “On July 1, 2019, Norwegian Pearl, which is currently sailing a 13-day repositioning cruise from Northern Europe to the Mediterranean, experienced a mechanical issue which necessitates that she travel at a reduced speed.
"As such, she did not call to Palma, Majorca, and instead sailed directly to Barcelona where further assessments were made.
"After review, the ship will now remain in Barcelona an extra evening and will sail to Livorno, Italy, on July 3 [Wednesday] missing her call to Monte Carlo.
"She will conclude her voyage in Rome, Italy.
"Due to necessary repairs, Norwegian Pearl’s upcoming Greek Isles and Italy sailing departing on July 5 [Friday] will be cancelled.
"We recognize the disappointment and inconvenience our guests have experienced as a result of this unforeseen situation and we offer our sincere apologies.
"Our team is working diligently to assist all of our guests, and we thank them for their continued support and loyalty.”
