British tourists take legal action as cruise illness sees one traveller collapse and left stranded
17/08/2010
Travel law solicitors at Irwin Mitchell have called on a leading cruise operator to apologise for poor standards onboard one of its cruise ships after passengers were struck down with illness, leading to one holidaymaker collapsing whilst ashore and being left behind.
Cruise passengers on board the Costa Fortuna cruise liner reported seeing a large number of people seeking help from the ship’s on-board medical centre, complaining of illness.
Amongst those affected were David Sharpe, 75, and his wife Jean, 72, from Quedgeley in Gloucestershire, who had saved hard to afford the two week luxury Caribbean cruise in March 2010. However, Mr Sharpe fell severely ill towards the end of the first week and later collapsed whilst visiting Nassau.
Mr Sharpe and his wife were then left ashore by Costa Cruises, with his diabetes medication in his cabin. The couple were forced to purchase emergency medication and, through a series of costly taxi journeys, hotel stays and flights, was able to meet the ship at its next port of call.
“I was served prawns one evening, which tasted a bit ‘off’ and within a few hours I started to suffer with sickness and diarrhoea,” said Mr Sharpe. “By the time we reached the next port of call I felt well enough to take a short stroll around Nassau but I think the fact that I had been so ill had taken its toll and had affected my blood sugar.
“I collapsed unconscious in the street and my wife had to find some passers-by to help carry me back to the port. However, by the time we got there the ship was moving off. Everyone was shouting and waving, trying to get some help but it was too late and the ship sailed off without us.”
Mr Sharpe added: “When we finally rejoined the ship I wasn’t offered any medical assistance and the staff were very unhelpful and dismissive. All the trouble we suffered was, in my view, as a result of the food I ate on the ship.”
Amandeep Dhillon, an international travel law expert with Irwin Mitchell Solicitors, who is acting on behalf of the couple, said: “Mr and Mrs Sharpe had their holiday completely ruined. They have been left bitterly disappointed and also out of pocket as a result of what happened. We are now urging Costa Cruises to enter into negotiations with us so that our clients can obtain the justice and compensation they deserve.”
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