UPDATE: THE Norwegian Star may reach Port Melbourne earlier than initially anticipated.

According to an arrivals roster on the Victorian Ports Melbourne website, the cruiseliner is due to dock at Station Pier Outer East around 10.25pm tonight.

The updated time is ahead of estimates posted on the same site today. Earlier reports suggested midnight as well as between 2-3am tomorrow morning.

It’s understood passengers will be able to choose whether to disembark or stay on the ship.

Authorities have not been able to confirm a precise arrival time for the damaged vessel that was forced to turn around on Friday morning when its propulsion system stopped working.

The news comes after stranded passengers on-board the Norwegian Star spoke exclusively to the Herald Sun about the selfless acts of kindness shown by crew members, with some saying they will continue on with the cruise once it docks at Port Melbourne.

Passenger Katrina Beagley said the ship’s crew have gone out of their way to ensure passengers are safe and happy.

“They are trying to grant your every wish,” Ms Beagley said.

“There’s no way I’m going home tomorrow. There are a team of chefs on board, waiting to cook my meals for the next seven days,” she said.

Passenger Carl VanAlstyne said the crew behaved professionally and were very accommodating, despite there being many disgruntled passengers.

“Our waiter treats us as if we were family … The crew are offering computer usage and a concierge has also allowed us to call outside the ship using his phone,” he said.

“The captain has also been giving overhead announcements as to the progress we have made every couple of hours,” Mr VanAlstyne said.

Video emerged online earlier today of passengers chanting “we want answers” and demanding answers from onboard staff.

Stranded cruise passengers demand answers Stranded cruise passengers demand answers

FIND AUSTRALIA AND ZOOM IN ON MELBOURNE TO FIND THE CRUISE SHIP’S LOCATION:







media_camera Norwegian Star getting towed though the heads by two tugboats. Picture: Alex Coppel

On Friday, the Norwegian Star lost engine power at Cape Liptrap and it is predicted the ship will take at least four days for mechanics to repair.

In a letter obtained by the Herald Sun, President and CEO of the Norwegian Cruise Line Andy Stuart said passengers will be given up to $350 for a flight to Auckland and $300 per ticket for a change fee allowance if they wish to fly back home.

“We hope that you will choose to remain on board while the ship is docked and enjoy additional time exploring Melbourne and then continue onto Auckland on a revised itinerary once the repairs are complete,” the letter read.

The Norwegian Star is expected to arrive in Port Melbourne at around 3am tomorrow morning.

It is not known how long the repairs are expected to take.

One authority says the cruise liner made “steady” progress and went through the heads around 3pm today, after being held up outside.

It’s anticipated the ship will dock at Port Melbourne around midnight.

“Now it’s a matter of relevant conditions to help it continue onwards,” Norwegian Cruise Line spokeswoman Anne Wild said.

It’s at this stage not clear whether holidaying passengers on-board will have to clear customs again, should they choose to disembark over staying at least until morning.

“It will be entirely up to the passengers when they disembark and many may decide to stay on-board and continue on with the cruise as well,” Ms Wild said.

Earlier today the cruise liner was idling outside Port Phillip Bay as operators waited for the right conditions to enter the harbour.

According to eye witnesses the ship could be seen sitting off the heads for at least two hours.

It’s understood the cruise liner’s crew needed to wait for a pilot to help navigate the vessel safely to Station Pier, taking factors like tide, wind conditions and traffic into account.

A spokesperson for the Victorian Ports Corporation said the ship would be making a slow approach, and it could be midnight before it docked on the outer eastern side of the pier.

Yesterday, the cruise ship operator apologised to passengers after their ship’s engine broke down, stranding passengers at sea off the coast of Victoria.

The Norwegian Star lost engine power at Cape Liptrap, near Wilsons Promontory.

The ship — which can carry 2348 people — was travelling from Melbourne to Dunedin when the ship’s propulsion system stopped working.

Passengers are reporting cruise ship crew and staff being “abused” by angry travellers.

BNCraceteam tweeted: “feel for the Crew on-board #NorwegianStar who continue to get abused by guests, fix the damn ship! horrendous return to Aus”.

Do you know more? Email us at news@heraldsun.com.au

IDEA TO BUILD MAN-MADE ISLAND FOR CRUISE SHIPS IN PORT PHILLIP BAY

media_camera The Norwegian Star getting towed past Point Nepean Picture: Mike Dugdale

media_camera Passengers seem unfazed as they relax aboard the cruise ship that lost power off the coast of Victoria. Picture: Seven News

Operator Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) have extended their “deepest apologies” to passengers in a letter distributed on board the broken cruise ship.

The letter assured passengers were not at risk, but offered them cash to help them fly directly to Auckland.

“We hope that you will choose to remain onboard (sic) while the ship is docked and enjoy additional time exploring Melbourne and then continue onto on a revised itinerary once the repairs are complete,” the letter read.

media_camera Onlookers watch as the cruise ship is towed. Picture: Alex Coppel

media_camera Passengers still enjoying the sun while stranded off the Victorian coast. Picture: Seven News

But for those fatigued by the delays and hiccups, passengers are being offered “up to $350 per person for a flight to Auckland and provide up to $300 per ticket for a change fee allowance if you wish to fly home immediately”.

“We will also provide you with internet access and the ability to make a phone call as needed to contact your travel agent or airline to make new travel arrangements, should you wish to do so,” it said.

@CruiseNorwegian feel for the Crew onboard #NorwegianStar who continue to get abused by guests,fix the damn ship! horrendous return to Aus — BNC (@BNCRaceteam) February 10, 2017

The news comes after Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) said all passengers were safe and there was no danger to the ship.

“The ship has full power and all on-board services are fully operational,” a spokeswoman said.

“All guest amenities remain open and available and the weather conditions are favourable.

“The ship is in no danger whatsoever and the comfort and safety of our guests and crew are unaffected by this situation.”

All guests will be provided with a full refunded and a 50 per cent discount on a future cruise.

Australian Maritime and Safety Authority is monitoring the situation and is in contact with the ship’s master.

Tug boats have been arranged to pull the 91,000 tonne ship to Melbourne, with the cruiseliner expected to arrive in Port Melbourne tomorrow afternoon.

NCL said details on the ship’s itinerary will be available when the ship arrives in Melbourne and the repair timeline assessed.

“All guests are welcome to stay on-board while the ship is docked and enjoy additional time exploring Melbourne and then continue onto Auckland on the revised itinerary once the repairs are complete,” a spokeswoman said.

@TravelMortician - Guess Whaaaat? We're adrift 70 miles out of Melbourne. 2nd Azipod broke. Getting tow back to Melbourne #NorwegianStar — Mark E Matz (@MarkEMatz) February 9, 2017

Last year the ship experienced problems with its Azipod propulsion system in Singapore.

NCL said the Auckland leg of the cruise will go ahead as planned on February 18.

“Norwegian Cruise Line sincerely extends its deepest apologies to guests for the inconveniences that they have encountered,” she said.

“We thank our guests for their understanding and patience in this very unusual and unprecedented situation,”

“While very rare, mechanical equipment malfunctions do occur and we assure our guests that our dedicated team on board is working tirelessly to deliver the absolute very best guest experience possible during this adjusted cruise.”

In a statement, the Australian Maritime Safety Authority said the ship’s generators were still working.

“There is still power to bow thrusters and passenger facilities,” the statement read.

“This means the master has limited ability to manoeuvre the ship, but will need assistance from tugs to come into port.”

kara.irving@n ews.com.au

@Kara_Irving