Paradise.... The cruise ship was on its war to Zanzibar on the coast of Africa
Holidaymakers on a £2,000-a-head Saga cruise were ordered below decks when Somali pirates started to chase their ship. Guests were in the middle of a black-tie dinner when a speedboat drew alongside the ship and the crew feared they were being targeted by pirates.
One passenger said they were told to keep their heads down in case they were shot at and then had to sit on the floor with the doors barricaded.
The Spirit of Adventure was tracked across the Indian Ocean
The number of pirate attacks on vessels in the Indian Ocean has soared recently, with raids netting organised gangs vast quantities of money.The Spirit of Adventure was on its way from Madagascar to Zanzibar carrying 350 passengers - mainly Britons - when the alarm was raised.
The captain sped up and attempted to outrun the inflatable boat, which eventually sped off.
Just three days before the scare, the passengers had been lectured on what to do in the event of a pirate attack.
Susie Browne, 73, from Enford, Wiltshire, told The Telegraph: 'It was a really terrifying ordeal. We were eating dinner and then ordered below deck with our heads bowed.
'The captain sped up and tried to outrun the pirates. We were told they had spotted pirates two miles behind us.
'We were told to keep our heads down in case they shot us through the windows. Then we were told they were up beside us. Everyone was calm.'
'The Spirit of Adventure was about 100miles from Zanzibar when the captain spotted a small vessel approaching the ship at speed on the long range radar.
The Spirit of Adventure was due to arrive in Zanzibar this morning. The Foreign Office said: 'We are making enquiries.'
Hostages.... Paul and Rachel Chandler were captured by Somali pirates as they sailed near the Seychelles on their yacht 'Lynn Rival'
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