Couple claims damages over hurricane-disrupted cruise

A couple who were in the Caribbean and Miami when Hurricane Frances struck last summer yesterday filed a judicial protest in the First Hall of the Civil Court holding their tour operator liable in damages.

George and Josephine Magro filed their protest against Mondial Holidays.

They claimed that they had booked a cruise through respondent for the fortnight commencing on August 31, 2004. However their cruise had been totally disrupted by the hurricane and the Magros had suffered great inconveniences.

The Magros claimed the hurricane had been forecast some months previously and Mondial Holidays were aware that the hurricane was imminent, as warnings about it had been broadcast on the media.

As a result of the hurricane, the Magros were not put up in accommodation suitable for the cruise but were forced to stay in shelters together with other persons some of whom were ill.

The accommodation was degrading and the Magros claimed they were lodged in corridors without beds and without sanitary facilities. They had even been attacked by the persons in the shelters.

The Magros claimed that other travel agencies had prepared alternative accommodation for their clients in hotels but Mondial Holidays had failed to do so. They added that they could not understand how the travel agency had failed to provide them with such accommodation and added that Mondial Holidays had refused to compensate them.

In conclusion, the Magros called upon Mondial Holidays to make good the damages they had sustained.

Dr Franco Debono and Dr Charmaine Cherrett signed the protest.