UPDATE:
We have had a response from Thomson Cruises and unlike several reports online the ship did not run aground or even get stuck in the Arcade River. The captain of Thomson Spirit was unable to move the ship around into its regular berthing position due to a strong current at the time. The vessel was also operating as normal and at no time was held for one hour and a half.
PREVIOUSLY:
A British cruise ship operated by Thomson Cruises ran aground on Tuesday in Portimao, Portugal.
According to The Portugal News, the Thomson Spirit was sailing along the Arcade River to dock in Portimao, located in the Algarve region of southern Portugal. The vessel ran aground sometime after 8:00 AM and as a result was unable to move for around an hour and a half. At 9:20 AM the ship managed to move again and dock but was only able to perform its turnaround maneuver when it departed at around 6:00 PM.
The 33,930 gross ton vessel was calling at Portimao as part of an 8-day cruise which departed Malaga, Spain on October 16. Thomson operated ship is scheduled to arrive back at its homeport on October 23. The can carry over 1,200 passengers and was built back 1983. The ship has sailed on the Arcade River to dock at Portimao many times before.
Cruise Hive has contacted the cruise line for a statement and further details and will update this post once we get a response.
