'Imprisoned' Cruise Ship Passengers Threaten Revolt

Furious British cruise ship passengers on a $12,000 around-the-world voyage threatened mutiny yesterday unless they're allowed to disembark to visit ports. Some 600 passengers on the Aurora have only been allowed to visit three cities in 22 days after the 76,000-ton ship was held up for repairs. Passengers, who formed a protest committee to meet with the captain, complained they were being "imprisoned" on the $300 million ship.

"So many people worked hard for so many years to afford this cruise. It is truly unforgivable," said a passenger. The ship's bad luck began in 2000 when Princess Anne failed to break a champagne bottle struck against the vessel to mark its launch. Some 500 passengers were felled by a stomach bug in 2003. A P&O Cruise line spokesman said the company was offering "compensation packages" to the passengers.
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