A NORTH Yorkshire couple whose Mediterranean cruise came to an abrupt end when their ship broke down 15 hours into its maiden voyage say they can't wait to get back on board.

Joe and Bet Bellamy, from Easingwold, were full of praise for the way shipping company P&O handled the crisis on board the luxury liner Aurora.

They say after the initial disappointment of the news, the passengers made a party of their return - part of which took place on the Manchester United team coach!

Mr and Mrs Bellamy were among 1,647 passengers aboard the £200 million Aurora superliner when it was forced to return to Southampton after aa propeller shaft bearing overheated.

But Mr Bellamy said he had "terrific sympathy" for P&O Cruises because, as a marine engineer, he knew how difficult it was to legislate for such a problem.

He added that he had not seen any passengers upset about the cruise being aborted. "People just accepted it," he said.

The Bellamys are being fully refunded and hope to take their chance to go on another cruise towards the end of the year.

Mr Bellamy recounted the couple's experience, saying: "We were really looking forward to it. It was a beautiful ship and we had a magnificent cabin with a balcony and a French door.

"We got on board at about half-past two and sailed at six. We had a terrific send off with bands playing and a flotilla around the ship.

"We had a marvellous meal that night."

He said that it was not until the next morning, while they were having coffee, that a member of the ship's staff informed passengers he had some "dreadful news".

Mr Bellamy said: "He told us we would have to go back. There was about five minutes of silence. But then everybody just got back to normal and enjoyed the rest of the time they had on the ship. But it was a shame."

The 886ft Aurora, which weighs 76,000 tonnes, was guided into the Mayflower Cruise terminal in Southampton docks by three tugs.

Mr Bellamy said he and his wife were among passengers driven home in a luxury coach used to take the Manchester United football team to matches around the country.

Far from creating an atmosphere of disappointment, he said the ride back on the coach turned into a "bit of a party".

Mr Bellamy criticised the national media's reporting of the curtailed cruise, claiming it was unfair that such a fuss had been created.

He said: "They didn't say anything about the cruise until the problems began, did they? We are just looking forward to the next one."

P&O Cruises faces a £5 million refund bill and has also offered passengers the opportunity of another cruise.