Expert Travel Lawyers Instructed To Investigate Conditions Onboard

A couple, who got engaged to be married on board a cruise liner but had their celebrations ruined within hours when the groom-to-be fell seriously ill and needed medical treatment, have instructed travel law experts in a search for answers.

Lauren and Danny Bushaway were passengers onboard the Thomson Majesty cruise ship to the Canary Islands with Lauren’s parents and sister in April 2013 when the couple, together with mum Alison Sibley fell ill, which  made what they hoped would be one of the happiest weeks of their lives memorable for all the wrong reasons.

The family, from Merley in Wimborne, have now instructed travel law experts at Irwin Mitchell to take legal action against Tour Operator Thomson Holidays after members of the family suffered from symptoms of stomach cramps, diarrhoea, vomiting and fatigue.

Danny, 23, proposed to Lauren, 24, on the evening of 7 April during the Captain’s Ball on the ship, but within an hour Danny had to return to his cabin as he began to feel ill and both Lauren and Alison were also struck down with similar symptoms.

Danny was alarmed when there was blood in his vomit and both he and Alison had to seek treatment from the ship’s doctor. Danny was given three injections to ease the vomiting he was experiencing and had to remain in his cabin.

Over a year on from the cruise, Danny continues to suffer from stomach cramps due to the illness, which the family believe may have been caused by poor food hygiene.

Clare Pearson, a specialist travel lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, representing the family, said: “This was meant to be one of the most romantic weeks of Danny and Lauren’s lives but unfortunately the illness they suffered left them unable to enjoy any of the facilities onboard and with awful memories rather than happy ones.

“Basic health and safety measures should be in place on all cruise ships to protect passengers from illness and we hope Thomson Holidays will work with us as we investigate the conditions described to us by the family.”

Lauren, who married Danny in November 2013 said: “This trip should have been a perfect way to celebrate our engagement with each other and our family, but just hours after Danny proposed he was confined to the cabin and was unable to celebrate with us all.

“When Mum and I also became ill it was truly horrendous and the celebration turned into a nightmare rather than the romantic getaway Danny had in mind for his proposal.

“We noticed that some of the food was served only lukewarm and the buffet food was left uncovered. We also found that there were not enough hand sanitizers available in key areas around the ship. It wasn’t what you would expect from a cruise liner.

“Nothing can turn back the clock and make amends for our ruined cruise but we hope that with the help of our legal team at Irwin Mitchell we will be able to find the answers we are seeking.”