A group of robbers in southern Chile has stolen around 200 pieces of luggage being transported to one of the new Hurtigruten cruise ships embarking this week on an Antarctica trip. None of the vacationers themselves has been robbed, but around 15 opted to skip the voyage.
Hurtigruten’s MS Roald Amundsen was waiting at the dock in the port of Punta Arenas on Thursday, November 28, ready to sail to Antarctica. A truck that was transporting the guests’ luggage to the ship, however, was hijacked.
Later, the truck was found, but without the bags and suitcases, it was carrying. Hurtigruten spokesperson Hanne Taalesen revealed that the cruise line, best known for its voyages along the Norwegian coast, had never experienced such a robbery, nor had the transport firm it had used for years.
According to Taalesen, Hurtigruten officials assisted the majority of cruise passengers with acquiring new necessary items and clothes for the trip, which can be chilly.
The voyage, fares for which start at around US$5,500 (NOK 50,000) per person, was delayed.
The ship is currently on an 18-day, round-trip Chilean Fjords, Antarctica and Falklands cruise from Valparaiso, Santiago, Chile (Nov 30-Dec 16).
In recent months, Chile has undergone great turbulence with demonstrations and political unrest.
For other MS Roald Amundsen accidents and incidents see at the ship's CruiseMinus page.