New threats to Adonia’s adventure

It is billed as a South American Adventure, and the 87-night cruise which is opening Adonia’s 2012 season is certainly living up to its name.
It got under way only after an unscheduled visit to dry dock in Falmouth for “essential maintenance” and I reported earlier this week on the diplomatic tension which threatens to disrupt calls to Buenos Aires and other ports in Argentina.
Now I learn that tomorrow’s visit to Salvador in the north-eastern Brazilian province of Bahia has been cancelled because of fears for the safety of passengers. Police and firefighters in the city have been on strike since January 31, and troops have been drafted in to maintain law and order.
The UK Foreign Office warns: “There have been reports of increased looting and violence as a result of the reduced police presence.” Ironically, the city, with a population of about 5.5 million, is referred to as Brazil’s “capital of happiness” because of its street carnival and outdoor party atmosphere.
A P&O spokesperson told me: “Following security advice regarding police strikes in the city, Adonia’s call into Salvador on Sunday has been cancelled. Full refunds will be offered to those passengers who had booked shore excursions.”
The 710-passenger ship left Recife on Friday and is expected to arrive in the resort of Buzios on schedule on Tuesday. But its adventures may not be over; Wednesday’s port of call is Rio de Janeiro, whose police began strike action yesterday (Friday).
The Foreign Office says visitors to the city should “follow advice given by authorities.” P&O say they will continue to monitor the situation before making a final decision. Next Saturday, Adonia is due to visit the relatively untroubled port of Montevideo in Uruguay before making a two-day stop in Buenos Aires – with some passengers flying home and others arriving to join the next leg of the voyage.
The United Nations has offered to mediate between Britain and Argentina as tensions rise in the run-up to the 30th anniversary of the Falklands conflict. Argentine Foreign Minister Hector Timerman accused the UK of sending a Vanguard submarine carrying Trident nuclear missiles into the south Atlantic, and his president, Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner said the deployment of frigate HMS Dauntless, and the arrival of helicopter Prince William in Port Stanley were a threat to the region’s security.
P&O must be wondering whether they picked the best moment for Adonia’s South American Adventure – the ship set out from Southampton on Friday the 13th.