Lawyer Demands Explanation after Cruise Complaints Soar following Illness Outbreak on Cruise Ship
23/04/2010
Illness Outbreak on Boudicca Cruise Ship
Holiday illness solicitor Clive Garner has demanded an explanation as cruise complaints soared following yet another illness outbreak on the Boudicca cruise ship.
Hundreds of holidaymakers were struck down with the debilitating illness Norovirus on the Boudicca cruise ship's latest voyage.
Clive Garner, who is the head of travel law at law firm Irwin Mitchell, said that the mounting cruise complaints made this a "matter of significant concern". The travel law experts at Irwin Mitchell are currently representing a further 87 passengers who have been affected by illness on board the Boudicca on previous voyages.
Despite the rising number of complaints the owners of the ship, Fred Olsen, are already preparing to let the ship sail again just two days after docking at Liverpool.
According to the company website the cruise ship will be cutting short its current voyage and return to Liverpool due to "operational reasons" although it is likely that this is due to the latest outbreak of Norovirus.
Almost three quarters of the ship's passengers were affected by vomiting and diarrhoea, turning their dream holidays into a nightmare as they were forced to remain in their cabins. Three of the cruise's stops were cancelled meaning that the remaining passengers were also unable to enjoy their holiday schedules.
Irwin Mitchell were contacted by Alan Einig and his partner Veronica who launched a cruise complaint after they were affected by the virus and forced to confine themselves to their cabin.
Alan said: "The ship has currently closed all saunas and swimming pools and all of the self service restaurants are closed also. It’s just not what you expect from a cruise like this. We were looking forward to it, it's very disappointing."
Clive Garner said: "This latest situation is a matter of significant concern. This is the sixth time in as many months that there has been a major outbreak of illness on this cruise liner and there are growing concerns about the adequacy of protection given to passengers, hundreds of whom have been affected so far.
"We are uncertain whether this latest outbreak is due to Norovirus or some other cause. The cause clearly needs to be urgently identified and eradicated.
"Whether this is an outbreak of Norovirus, Salmonella or some other cause, while most of those who suffer illness are likely to suffer short term but highly unpleasant symptoms, many are likely to suffer long lasting and sometimes permanent symptoms."
Mr. Garner also highlighted the fact that some of the former passengers who were affected by illness when on board the ship were still suffering from the after effects of their illness despite the fact that some of them journeyed on the ship as long ago as October 2009.
Back to news