Judge slashes couple's compensation over nightmare on the ocean

Terence and Cynthia Milner paid just over 59,000 for the 15-week maiden world cruise of the Queen Victoria.

But when the ship left Southampton in January 2008 and hit heavy seas in the Bay of Biscay, the metal floor of their cabin began to flex loudly.

From then on they were moved between cabins and the couple, who are in their late sixties, suffered illness and finally left the liner in Hawaii, returning home on the Queen Elizabeth II.

In May 2009, the couple were awarded the compensation by a county court judge in Bradford, West Yorkshire, but Cunard went to the Court of Appeal in a bid to reduce the award.

Cunard's counsel Christopher Lundie said that the award - made up of 2,500 each for the diminution in the value of the cruise and 7,500 each for their distress and disappointment plus 2,000 for Mrs Milner's wasted expenditure on her wardrobe of formal dining gowns - was "manifestly excessive".

He told Lord Justice Ward, Lord Justice Richards and Lord Justice Goldring in London that it was likely to encourage speculative court action and the correct figure was between 2,000 to 3,000.

Today, Lord Justice Ward said that the judge's award was "excessive and disproportionate".

"I am satisfied that a total award of 12,000 is fair and just compensation for the failure of Cunard to meet their guests' legitimate expectations."