Southampton cruise ship departure delayed due to sickness outbreak
Today’s departure of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines’ Balmoral ship has been pushed back several hours due to a sickness outbreak.
Departing guests have been told to check in fours later in Southampton than originally scheduled.
It comes as there were guests isolated with gastroenteritis symptoms on the previous cruise.
The cruise line told guests checking in today it requires extra time for the turnaround in order to conduct deep cleaning of the ship.
This is a precautionary measure, it says, and there is ‘no cause for concern,’
“A number of guests on board Balmoral reported symptoms of gastrointestinal-related illness during the 10-night ‘Wintertime Landscapes of the Norwegian Fjords’ cruise,” said Dr Kate Bunyan, director of health services at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
“We have immediately implemented measures to help reduce transmission.”
Reports suggested as many as 200 guests and crew may have been taken ill, although the cruise line hasn’t confirmed this.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines says it expects today’s embarkation process to be fully completed by around by 7.30pm.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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