Waverley Excursion’s Balmoral has again had her south coast itineraries disrupted by bad weather around the south-west tip of England, which delayed the vessel’s passage from the Bristol Channel and resulted in the cancellation of the Bridport (West Bay)-Yarmouth and Yarmouth-Needles excursions on 21 July.
When she could weigh anchor off Lundy, Balmoral had to sail directly to Ramsgate to then pick up the Thames and east coast schedules. The 21 July cruise from Newhaven and Ramsgate was also cancelled. However, the 23 July-4 August Thames and Ipswich/Great Yarmouth/Southend cruises were a success, with Balmoral then returning to the Solent direct from Tilbury to anchor overnight off Newtown on 5 August.
The disruptions come on top of her delayed return to service for the 2011 season after her refit overran. This is also a make or break year for Waverley Excursions due to rising fuel costs and reduced cruises due to the weather over this past couple of years. But the season for both vessels has been extended to the end of September.
