PASSENGERS have faced lengthy delays getting off cruise ships docked at Southampton today because of Border Agency computer problems.

Hundreds of holidaymakers returning from a cruise on Independence of the Seas were forced to wait for at least two hours to disembark after the ship returned to the city’s docks.

Fed-up passengers said they had been told over the ship’s PA system the delays were because the computer system used by the Border Agency had “gone down”.

Queues finally began moving when immigration checks were conducted manually.

It is the latest incident in a week that has seen the Border Agency heavily criticised following delays of up to three hours for people arriving in the UK at Heathrow Airport.

The Royal Caribbean-owned Independence of the Seas is not the only cruise ship to have docked in Southampton today.

Cunard's Queen Victoria also arrived in the city today, but it is not yet known if its passengers suffered similar problems.

The Home Office is yet to respond to the Daily Echo’s request for a comment.