22 July 2009

Thomson threatened with legal action over cruise outbreak

Thomson has been threatened with legal action by lawyers representing passengers taken seriously ill on board a Thomson cruise in May.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell is representing 17 passengers who were on board the Thomson Spirit liner on a two-week Iberian Delights cruise, which sailed from North Tyneside on May 2.

It says reports from passengers suggest hundreds were struck down by the outbreak.

ââ¬ÅâœWe have invited Thomson to admit liability and hope that they will do so quickly and work with us to fairly compensate our clients,ââ¬~ said Suki Chhokar, partner at Irwin Mitchell.

ââ¬ÅâœIf not, legal proceedings are likely to be commenced, something which we and our clients would like to avoid if possible.ââ¬~

He urged Thomson to ensure lessons were learned from the outbreak to stop future travellers suffering a similar fate.

ââ¬ÅâœWhat happened on this cruise is simply appalling. We are very concerned about the reports of widespread illness and hygiene complaints on board. It certainly sounds like more could and should have been done to reduce the risk of passengers becoming ill.ââ¬~

According to the law firm, passengers were ââ¬Ëœdropping like fliesââ¬â¢ as gastric illness swept through the liner.

It said Madeline Nolan, 51, from Wallsend in North Tyneside, ended up vomiting blood after being struck down by severe stomach cramps, sickness and diarrhoea which left her unable to leave her room for three days as her holiday with husband Tom, 58, descended into disaster.

ââ¬ÅâœHundreds of people were affected ââ¬' the medical centre was inundated with people queuing for medical supplies and a large number of people were also confined to their cabins. It was absolutely horrendous,ââ¬~ she said.

ââ¬ÅâœThere was certainly a breakdown in hygiene standards. The ship in general was not clean, hot food at the buffet was cold, there were flies all over the food, toilets were not cleaned ââ¬' the list was endless.ââ¬~

Lesley Jackson, from Durham, said her holiday had also been ruined as she and her family were struck down by sickness.

ââ¬ÅâœPeople were dropping like flies. As the cruise went on, you could see trays of uneaten food building up in the corridors outside peopleââ¬â¢s cabins,ââ¬~ the 38-year-old mother-of-one said.

ââ¬ÅâœThe buffet was self-service initially, but after it became apparent that people were falling ill, the food was served by members of staff for the rest of the cruise. Hand sanitizers were available for passengers to use but they werenââ¬â¢t manned at first, but once people started to fall ill, their use was enforced.

ââ¬ÅâœI simply donââ¬â¢t think enough was done to protect the health of the passengers aboard the ship ââ¬' and by the time the illness had spread it was too late. What was meant to be a relaxing cruise turned into an absolute nightmare.ââ¬~

Angry travellers have bombarded internet message boards with complaints about the cruise.


By Bev Fearis

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• Passenger cleanliness
  
  

  I was Very surprised to read over the outbreak of illnes on the Thomson Cruise ship The Spirit. Myself and my husbnd have travelled on this ship - and other ships within the thomson Cruise line several times and have never been ill. We have noted that at every port of call the crew and staff always were there on embarkation at every port of call making sure that the antibacterial hand cleanser was used -and especially on entering every restaurant, at every meal time - even when entering from the pool area. The plumbing in the cabin bathrooms seemed tired and in need of replacement - but we always found them spotlessly clean. I must also report that stayed in economy cabins, not in any luxury cabins. We are quite happy to have a cabin on lower midship decks to enable us to make the most of our time and have easy and quick access ashore. The more economical the cruise enables us to have more trips - Maybe passengers should be more responsible for their own personal safety and enforce strict principles of their health and cleanliness within their own cabins.

  By Maureen Kay, Friday, July 24, 2009
• So it's the customers fault the ship was dirty!
  
  

  I'm sure that some passengers do unthinkable things in the pools and jacuzzi, but that does not excuse poor cleaning, dirty toilets, cold and fly infested food. Assuming, of course, that the allegations have any basis.

  By Brian Hawe, Thursday, July 23, 2009
• The cruise debacle
  
  

  Sadly I have to agree with Martin Drew & the probability is that we will see a lot more similar incidences. An excess of aging tonnage, a shortage of experienced crew & severely reduced 'per diems' only exacerbate this problem.

  By Gary Westwood, Thursday, July 23, 2009
• That's Just Cruising
  
  

  Sadly cruise ships are incubators for this sort of bug - not helped by the appalling hygiene of many of the passengers. If strict health and safety procedures were followed most ships pools would be drained and refilled several times a day, and the Jacuzzi would be closed almost permanently, and it isn't the ship's staff and crew that contaminates them. Having worked on ships I would never, ever, recommend a cruise for a holiday if people have any sort of susceptibility to respiratory illness or stomach bugs.

  By Martin Drew, Wednesday, July 22, 2009