VALLETTA (MALTA) (ITALPRESS/MNA) – A group of Maltese passengers spent New Year’s Eve stranded on the Danube River after their cruise ship ran aground while en route to Bratislava.
The 46 Maltese travellers were among around 200 passengers aboard the MS nickoVision, which departed from Passau, Germany, on December 26 for a holiday cruise along the Danube.
The ship had already visited Melk, Vienna and Esztergom, but encountered difficulties due to low water levels while heading towards Budapest. Unable to proceed, passengers were taken by coach to Budapest for a guided tour before returning to the vessel. The next scheduled stop was Bratislava on New Year’s Eve. However, at around midnight, the ship ran aground in shallow waters. A tugboat attempted to free the vessel on Wednesday, but without success.
As a result, passengers welcomed the New Year on board, with a gala dinner, music and entertainment.
A second attempt to free the ship on New Year’s Day also failed. Passengers were later instructed to prepare for transfer by barge to another vessel bound for Bratislava, where they are expected to stay at a hotel.
The cruise company notes that river cruises are highly dependent on weather conditions and water levels, which may require changes to itineraries.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
