Passengers have paid up to �42,000 for the cruise

The �106m Aurora was due to head for Madeira but propeller problems forced a delay to the 103-day trip.

Passengers had to stay aboard while the liner conducted tests cruising around the Isle of Wight.

The ship returned to Southampton on Wednesday evening. Repairs will now take until Sunday, with the trip itself not beginning until Tuesday.

Compensation offered

Passengers have been invited to stay on board the ship until that time, with a full entertainment programme laid on.

They will be free to come and go as they please.

Those returning home will be kept fully informed of when the ship is ready again.

A P&O spokeswoman said: "Once the repairs have been concluded, the company will be in a position to confirm the revised grand voyage itinerary."

P&O said passengers would be reimbursed for the trip's lost days and compensation offered.

The 1,752 passengers have paid up to �41,985 for the cruise which was set to visit 40 destinations.

It is not the first time passengers on the German-built liner have encountered problems.

In 2003, more than 1,000 people fell ill with a virus on board.