Passengers evacuated from Havila Polaris cruise ship due to overheating in Norway
Louise Hill, a 78-year-old originally from Australia and now residing in Italy, expressed her disappointment after all passengers were evacuated from the cruise ship Havila Polaris due to overheating in the propulsion system. Hill had eagerly anticipated this journey along the stunning Norwegian coast, a trip she and her late husband had planned for years.
“It’s very, very disappointing. I don’t know if I can return next year, as I am almost 80,” she remarked.
Lasse Vangstein, the communications director for Havila, acknowledged the impact of the incident on passengers. “We feel terrible for our guests, but we cannot compromise on safety. The safety of our passengers, crew, and the ship is our top priority,” he stated.
Vangstein assured that all passengers who booked full or partial trips would receive a full refund, including unused excursions and any pre-booked packages. For those on shorter trips, alternative arrangements will be considered.
Hill, who set out on the journey alone after her husband’s passing, expressed uncertainty about traveling again. Similarly, other passengers were also adjusting their plans; family man Andreas Leutenegger from Zurich reflected positively on the evacuation process, describing it as calm and orderly despite the unexpected change in itinerary. He remained optimistic about returning in the future.
Charles Lindgren from Minnesota, who had planned a seven-day voyage, decided to make the most of the situation by renting a car to explore Norway. He appreciated that Havila would refund their expenses, admitting it wasn’t the ideal scenario but expressing satisfaction with how the company handled the situation.