Dozens of residents hoping for a cruise on a brand new vessel have had their dream shattered.

And some -- including a couple who planned to marry on the vessel -- may find themselves in difficulty in the US after the cancellation of the trip last week.

Around 40 residents were due to go to Boston to board the Norwegian Sky to cruise back to Bermuda, and many more were hoping to carry on with a 15-day holiday to the Caribbean.

But Norwegian Cruise Lines called off the trip last Friday, after discovering that urgent repair work has not been completed -- leaving many people with their holiday plans in tatters.

Some -- if they have not heard the news already -- have left Bermuda for Boston and may turn up at the docks only to discover the ship will not be sailing.

At least one passenger is angry that it was left to the last minute to tell them the cruise was off, when he believes it was apparent days before that the ship would not be ready in time.

The cruise line and local agents Meyer say they told people as soon as the shipyard had made them aware that the vessel -- which had been damaged after running aground in Canada -- was not ready.

One vacationer, Charles Richardson, said many passengers would not be able to re-arrange travel plans at such short notice. Mr. Richardson paid $5,300 for his cruise, but was able to re-book another vacation.

He said: "We knew before Thursday that it wasn't going. If they could have given us two weeks notice, people could have re-arranged their holidays.'' But Meyer president Henry Hayward and NCL hit back, saying they could only call off the cruise when the Quebec shipyard had told them that the vessel would not be fixed in time.

And Mr. Hayward said all customers were called as soon as they were aware and added that it would not take as long as six weeks for a refund.

NCL executive vice president Art Sbarsky added: "Does anybody seriously think we would withhold information about a cancelled cruise? Anything before Thursday would have been pure speculation.'' One cruise passenger also claimed that she was not notified by Meyer that the cruise was off. She only discovered on Monday that the trip was off after calling Meyer to pick up her tickets.

Both Mr. Hayward and Mr. Sbarsky said passengers who had flights booked to connect with the cruise and other out-of-pocket expenses should contact either NCL or the agents, who would consider their claims.

Refunds are being offered to customers and a 25 percent discount off a future NCL cruise -- which will be pro-rata for those who had only booked to cruise from Boston to Bermuda. Meyer customers could use the amount paid towards another holiday.

The Norwegian Sky , which damaged its hull and propellers after running aground in the St. Lawrence River, will depart from Miami on November 14 on its inaugural Caribbean cruise.