Terror as huge wave casts cruise ship adrift

Four British holidaymakers were today caught up in a cruise ship nightmare in high seas.

They were among 480 mainly Spanish passengers on The Voyager for a seven-day cruise of the Mediterranean when a huge wave hit the bridge in a force 10 gale.

The wave broke the bridge window and damaged the ship's electronics, knocking out its engines and communications.

Several passengers are said to have suffered cuts and bruises.

Coastguards were alerted by a passing ship and rescue tugs and helicopters were scrambled to assist. But after four hours adrift, 65 miles south-east of Menorca, The Voyager's engineers were able to restore power to two of its four engines.

The Voyager, which is owned by Monaco-based V. Ships and on charter to Spanish cruise operator Iberojet, is now making its way to Cagliari in Sardinia for repairs.

A spokesman for the owners said: "The ship is quite able to operate on one engine and the storm is now behind it. We expect it to arrive in Cagliari early tomorrow morning."