MSC Starlight Cruises has offered discounts on future cruises to passengers onboard the MSC Sinfonia, who spent the first three days of the intended five-night sailing out of Cape Town to Walvis Bay and Luderitz in port, due to high winds. Additional compensation is also under consideration.

The ship was scheduled to depart Cape Town last Wednesday, but was unable to leave until Saturday for a shortened 'cruise to nowhere'.

The gale-force winds caused Port Control authorities to lock down the entire harbour while local laws meant onboard shopping outlets as well as the casino remained closed and passengers were forbidden to leave the ship.

However, Sales & Marketing Director, Allan Foggitt, said all other onboard activities operated as normal and, over and above the discounts on future sailings, "MSC Starlight Cruises will certainly look at other ways to make it up to everybody. It is a gesture of goodwill... We are equally disappointed and frustrated."