Following the conflict at SNCM and incidents in Bastia, the prefect of Corsica has requested ships scheduled to dock on the island to remain at port. Consequently, in Nice, passengers of the Mega Express II from Corsica Ferries are forced to cancel their crossing.
Although the passengers had embarked, both themselves and their vehicles had taken their places aboard the ferry. Feeling frustrated, puzzled, or philosophical, they disembark from the ship. Corsica Ferries offers them the option to stay aboard the Mega Express overnight in hopes of departing tomorrow but at a cost.
Other solutions include providing a list of hotels in Nice or, if they wish to cancel their trip, advising them to call the central office in a few days to inquire about the refund process.
On the pier, the comments remain calm, without anger, and sometimes even amused: “The solution was very simple. They could have just left us off the coast of Bastia and airlifted us. Apparently, there are effective helicopters nearby.”
Admittedly disappointed but resigned, the priority now is to make a decision: to stay and wait for a possible departure or to give up. Pierre is undecided: “We’re going to stay here for now, we will inform ourselves about the real chances of the boat’s departure. If they seem slim, we will head back to Grenoble. For the refunds, I trust Corsica Ferries.”
The conflict in Corsica is intensifying. Passengers who reside on the Côte d’Azur have returned home. The others hope that the situation resolves as quickly as possible so they can head to the Isle of Beauty.
Vincent Trinquat
