Marco Polo, the 22,080 cruise ship operated by Cruise & Maritime Voyages (CMV) in the UK,  will be terminating its current Land of the Northern Lights cruise in Antwerp on Thursday 14 March on the scheduled arrival day.

“The ship will undergo a dry docking inspection for minor repairs to her hull after the vessel struck an uncharted object under the command of the local pilot minutes after sailing from Sortland on Saturday evening. CMV have prioritised the comfort and safety of all the passengers and crew,” the company said in a statement.

All passengers will be transferred to Tilbury and London via the Channel Tunnel or ferry by coach scheduled to arrive mid to late afternoon on Thursday 14 March.

The cruise departures 14 March and 28 March will now depart 3 days later and those passengers affected are being advised. All passengers involved in these unavoidable delays and date changes will be receiving compensation, plus special discounts for a future cruise.