Couples Reveal Wedding Anniversary Woes And Need For Hospital Treatment Following Breaks

Frustrated passengers who suffered illness whilst on the Azura cruise ship last year, which not only ruined a 30th wedding anniversary celebration but also left one victim needing a week of hospital treatment, have revealed their hope for answers after instructing specialist lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of their illness.

Irwin Mitchell’s specialist International Personal Injury team is representing couples from Leeds and Weymouth who holidayed separately on the cruise ship in May and September 2014, with a member from each party going on to suffer severe gastric illness. One passenger was diagnosed as having contracted E.coli, whilst the other was diagnosed with Shigella. Both are potentially serious bacterial infections.

Irwin Mitchell’s expert travel illness lawyers have stated their determination to fully investigate the cause of the illness that their clients endured during their holidays booked with P&O Cruises, though as it may be too early to determine the source of the illnesses, the lawyers are keeping an open mind as to the cause.

The specialist team have vast experience  having helped many thousands of holidaymakers obtain justice following illnesses suffered whilst on holiday in hotels and on board cruise ships around the world. This includes successfully representing a number of passengers affected by previous problems on board the Azura in 2012.

Expert Opinion

"We are very concerned by the reports we have received from our clients who voyaged on-board the Azura cruise ship, particularly as their cruises were at different times of the year and they both suffered with severe illness symptoms.

"Both cases also show the serious consequences that victims of holiday illness can suffer, with E.coli and Shigella being potentially dangerous infections, which can have a lasting impact on those affected. The victims in each instance suffered symptoms which not only ruined their breaks but also continued to impact on them upon their return to the UK.

"We have now commenced our own investigations and are determined to help our clients understand the cause of their illnesses. As we conduct our investigations, we urge anyone who voyaged on the Azura cruise ship who may be able to provide information to assist us in finding the cause of our clients’ illnesses to get in touch." Jennifer Hodgson - Senior Associate Solicitor

Teresa Day suffered serious gastric illness with symptoms including vomiting and diarrhoea during her holiday on the Azura in September 2014, which was to celebrate her and her husband Michael’s 30th wedding anniversary. The health problems she endured were so severe that she required a wheelchair in order to disembark from the ship. Upon her return to the UK she was also diagnosed with Shigella.

The dog groomer, 50, from Weymouth recalls: “We had saved for such a long time to go on the cruise for our anniversary and were looking forward to it so much. We were completely heartbroken by what we went through and I was shocked to see other people being taken off the ship in a wheelchair in the same state as me. I saw a doctor on board the ship and was given medication, but the problems persisted so I visited my GP when we returned home.

“The illness forced me to take time off work and I continue to suffer with symptoms to this day. I’m just so frustrated this has happened and that I’ll look back on the holiday for all of the wrong reasons.  Having to see a doctor is the last thing you would expect when booking a holiday to celebrate your anniversary; it was devastating.”