Cruise ship 'abandoned' in Indonesia sparks epic journey home for Portsmouth man

The Port Solent resident’s dream journey on MV Columbus became a rollercoaster of emotion as well as a navigational nightmare as the liner finally found its way back to the UK after five weeks at sea without a single foot being placed on land.

Oblivious to the harrowing events back home while cruising the ocean waters en route to visiting Semerang, Indonesia, the mood onboard was suddenly awash with fear and uncertainty.

The dramatic turn of events ultimately meant Columbus was forced to travel through waters where pirates operate and undertake drastic transfers of guests via lifeboats miles out at sea.

Travellers were shocked to even spot military personnel hawkishly overseeing refuelling on rare occasions countries allowed the liner at their ports.

‘After nearly five weeks at sea our cruise was abandoned whilst visiting Semarang in Indonesia,’ Peter said. ‘With most ports closed to cruise liners we were not allowed to disembark until we returned to the UK.

‘We were confined on the liner for the whole time - we were like prisoners. There were days when I was depressed and I didn’t want to speak to anyone and would just take myself off to the corner of the boat.

‘Looking at nothing but water day after day is not something ordinary people are used to.’

However, disaster was avoided with there being no outbreak of coronavirus on board.

But this did not stop fears circling, especially when a transfer of around 400 passengers took place with the liner’s sister ship Vasco de Gamma 10 miles from shore at Phuket, Thailand.

The 67-year-old former accountant said: ‘We transferred Australian and New Zealand passengers to our sister ship so they could return to their home countries whilst we received European passengers to return them to the UK.

‘This sort of transfer was unheard of with it carried out via lifeboats miles from shore because the Thai government wouldn't let us into the port to carry out the transfer.

‘We were concerned after hearing the virus was on board but it turned out to be unfounded. The liner managed to stay clear of coronavirus the whole time so the right precautions were taken.’

Despite the chaos, Peter admits he dodged a bullet after having the option to embark the sister ship.

‘As it turned out the people on the Vasco de Gamma were put straight onto Rottnest Island off the coast of Fremantle (in Australia) and held in strict quarantine for two week,’ he said.

Peter had joined Columbus in Auckland, New Zealand on March 13 and was only meant to undertake the voyage to Singapore. It was meant to return to the UK in May having stopped off at idyllic locations across the world.

Instead, Peter ended up navigating across the Pacific, Indian and Atlantic oceans, round the Horn of Africa and up through the Suez Canal and onto the Mediterranean. This brought a unique set of obstacles unimaginable at the outset of the trip.

A diary captured Peter’s thoughts of the day. One entry on March 26, as the cruise made its way through the Arabian Sea, read: ‘Approaching the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa, where pirates are a distinct possibility.

‘Latest rumour is we've got Gurkhas on board, one of my friends claims to have spoken to one, whatever the truth of these rumours, it's clear we have people on board capable of defending us, which is a bit reassuring.’

Speaking to The News, Peter added: ‘All of a sudden there were guards on the deck with hose pipes trying to look inconspicuous for four days.

‘They were heavy guys who were well prepared to make sure we were not caught out.’

But there were other alarming moments including having armed guards on a pier when the liner was refuelling in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The Egyptian military also kept a close eye on the ship in the Suez Canal after travelling alongside it on land.

There were also lighter moments of intrigue on board including during another transfer in Malta where two people - understood to be friends of the country’s prime minister - were allowed to disembark.

Peter’s diary entry of April 5 said: ‘The (couple) had asked to go and been refused, so the wife, who’s in media work apparently, contacted everyone she knew to get publicity for their plight.

‘Eventually the Maltese prime minister, who knew the couple involved, intervened and arranged for them to be taken off on a pilot boat, at the Maltese government's expense. Off course we were surrounded by photographers on the harbour master’s launch as well as TV cameras on the pilot boat. No doubt we'll be big news on Maltese TV tonight!’

Eventually, after five long weeks, Peter returned to the UK 10 days later than he planned on April 14 after Columbus anchored in Tilbury, Essex, before he made it back to Port Solent later that day. But even after finally arriving in Tilbury matters were dealt with in military-style precision.

‘We were marched off the boat in groups of 30 and given masks and gloves,’ Peter said. ‘Our passports were put on a conveyor belt and our luggage on trailers.

‘The port was closed so people had to walk out to get a coach or in a private vehicle. It was like a military operation.’

Speaking of his ordeal, Peter said: ‘We were one of the last cruise ships to get back to the UK but I can’t fault the liner. We were well looked after and they kept the boat clear of coronavirus.’

But Peter, who has now been on three cruises, added: ‘That will probably be my last one.’

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