As a dream itinerary for football fans, the “Arabia & World Cup Voyage” looked perfect.
The cruise ship Azamara Quest was to arrive in Qatar at 7.30am on Monday 21 November – the day of the first World Cup football matches involving England and Wales.
England’s first game in the controversial tournament kicks off against Iran at 1pm that day, while Wales play the USA at 7pm.
Passengers were told they would spend three days in Doha, capital of the host nation – enabling them to enjoy cultural attractions such as the stunning new National Museum and the Museum of Islamic Art, as well as attending World Cup matches.
Unlike other arrivals to Qatar during the four-week long tournament, they would not need to pay a fortune for scarce flights and accommodation.
Ian Lever, from Bolton, decided it was the best possible birthday gift for his wife, Amanda. In the depths of the Covid crisis, when foreign travel was banned from the UK, he booked the voyage for them both through Imagine Cruising – part of the Dubai-based Emirates Group.
Ms Lever, a therapy instructor, said: “ This was advertised as World Cup voyage and as football fans we booked and have bought four lots of tickets.”
The couple managed to get tickets for both the England and Wales matches on 21 November, as well as two games the following day: Denmark v Tunisia and Croatia v Morocco. They spent more than £700 on tickets.
But less than eight weeks before the intended stay in Qatar, the cruise line announced the entire World Cup element of the Arabia & World Cup voyage had been scrapped – while the cruise was renamed the “Arabia & Dubai Voyage”.
Instead of the three days in Qatar, an extra day will be spent in Abu Dhabi and two more calls will be made at UAE ports.
The initial call at Muscat in Oman – now the only port outside the UAE on the entire cruise – has been curtailed.
Amanda Lever said: “All we have been told is that the itinerary has been changed.
“When my husband explained the situation, Imagine Cruising sent us a form asking which matches we we had tickets for and at what stadium.
“No one has been in touch with any further information.
“We would be prepared to forego Abu Dhabi and stay in Qatar for the three days in a hotel if they would facilitate it.
“Unfortunately when we can’t get anyone to speak with us it’s difficult to guess what they may or may not do.”
Passengers were told in a letter from Azamara: “Travel authorities in Qatar have recently informed…
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