The Russian-owned cruise ship Lyubov Orlova enters the Narrows into St. John's, where it was placed under arrest. (Courtesy of Dean Porter)

Dozens of Russian and Ukrainian crewmembers from a cruise ship are stranded in St. John's because the owner of the ship owes $250,000 to the Canadian company that chartered it.

Canadian officials placed the Russian-owned ship Lyubov Orlova under arrest when it arrived in St. John's five days ago.

Crewmembers, who have been living on the ship in St. John's, told CBC News they haven't been paid for five months.

"I am a little angry because I have a credit on my house and most of the crew have credits on houses in our country," said Russian Anton Fyederovski, the ship's third mate. "There will be a lot of trouble with banks at home, yes."

The Lyubov Orlova was used during the summer for adventure tourism trips to northern Labrador.

No passengers were on the ship when it was arrested.

There are 49 Russians and two Ukrainians working on the vessel.