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65mph winds have wreaked havoc on Condor’s timetable and the recent impact of Storm Henk has led to cancellations, delays and rescheduled crossings.
One family was due back in Guernsey on the 26 December but delays and cancellations have pushed back their return until the 4 January. It has meant several nights in Airbnbs and hotels.
Marie-Claire O’Connor tells Express how the last few days have played out.
“We were due back on Condor on 26 December,” she said. “[We] got a text on the 24th to say it had been cancelled.
“[We were] told we could go on the 28th - then that got cancelled... and we were told the next sailing would be 5 January.”
Marie, her partner, two children and a dog had to look for accommodation. They put themselves up in an AirBnB.
“I then found out two sailings were put on for the 28th [after we’d booked our accommodation]. We contacted Condor and [were told] they could get us on the 30th sailing as foot passengers, if our van was put on as freight.”
The family made the trip away from their booked AirBnB to Portsmouth for the alternative 30th crossing only to get a text on the 29th indicating that the sailing might be affected by the weather. Later that evening they were told it had been cancelled.
They were put on a 2 January sailing, but this again was rescheduled and the family are now set to return on the 4 January.
“We fully understand the weather is not down to them,” said Marie, “but this surely cannot be classed as a delay.”
She said Condor has offered no compensation and that their travel insurance provider will not cover the several nights of accommodation because “it’s classed as delayed [travel] not abandonment”.
Express put Marie’s experience to Condor. The firm chose not to reply to the specific story but instead provided the following statement:
“The continuing spell of strong winds up to 65mph and 7m waves caused by Storm Henk is causing disruption for rail, air and ferry operators across the British Isles,” said a spokesperson.
“We are therefore rescheduling and cancelling conventional and high speed sailings today and tomorrow morning.
“Whilst conditions are unpredictable, the weather forecast suggests an improvement during Wednesday.
“We therefore intend, provided it is safe to do so, to operate Goodwill and Islander overnight tomorrow [3 January] from Portsmouth, Clipper on Thursday morning and an additional Liberation sailing from Poole is also planned for Thursday.
“Passengers and freight clients affected are being notified and re-accommodated subject to availability.”
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