Birthday Celebrations Ruined After Problems On Board Cruise Ship

Specialist travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have been contacted for the third consecutive year in relation to illness problems on the Thomson Dream cruise liner, after a couple suffered gastric symptoms during a birthday break on the ship earlier this year.

Patricia Pirt, from Ferryhill in County Durham, has revealed how she needed two weeks off work after being quarantined in her cabin with sickness, diarrhoea, chest pains and a hacking cough during the trip to celebrate her husband Richard’s birthday.

Richard also developed similar coughing symptoms which required antibiotics.

The couple have now revealed their hope for answers regarding the ordeal, after contacting legal experts in Irwin Mitchell’s International Personal Injury team to ask them for help in investigating the problems on the cruise which was booked through Thomson Holidays.

Patricia and Richard also reported concerns with the standard of the ship. They recall that the ship appeared very tired and dated, there was a distinct smell of sewage on the ship and the cabin they stayed in was unclean. 

The specialist travel lawyers, who have vast experience from helping thousands of victims of illness outbreaks across the globe to gain answers and access vital financial support to aid their recovery, are already representing passengers affected by illness problems during stays on the Thomson Dream ship in both 2013 and 2014.

Jennifer Mullins, a specialist lawyer in Irwin Mitchell’s International Personal Injury team, said:

Expert Opinion

“We are very concerned by the first-hand accounts we have received regarding problems on the Thomson Dream ship this year, having already been instructed by people affected on the ship in the previous two years. We have now begun our investigations into the illness issues which Patricia and Richard have suffered, in order to help determine the cause of their illnesses.

“The ordeal Patricia and Richard have faced is an important reminder of how holiday illness can not only have a significant impact upon the holiday itself, but also go on to disrupt work and personal lives as well.

“As such, the seriousness of these issues should not be underestimated and we are determined to ensure that the couple get the answers they deserve regarding these problems.

“We would like to hear from anyone who was on board the Thomson Dream ship at the time and who may also have suffered with gastric or respiratory illness, to get in touch as they may be able to help with our investigations.” Jennifer Hodgson - Senior Associate Solicitor

Patricia fell ill on the second day of her holiday on the Thomson Dream, with cramping, sickness and diarrhoea being the first symptoms to emerge.

She recalled: “The sickness first occurred in the early morning of our second day on the cruise. I managed to make it to breakfast and on a tour on board the ship, but soon after this I experienced sickness, diarrhoea and a high temperature.

“In the evening I visited the on-board clinic for support and was given treatment for my symptoms and put under quarantine for 24 hours. My sickness symptoms eventually subsided; however I was still left struggling with chest pains and a cough.

“The doctor on board eventually diagnosed me with bronchopulmonitis and I then had to attend the ship clinic twice a day for three days for treatment. I was given an intravenous antibiotic and steroid drip and I had to be put on a nebuliser. Following this treatment I was also given oral antibiotics to return home with. All of this meant that I missed out on celebrating Richard’s birthday, so I was absolutely devastated.”

Following the holiday, Patricia saw her GP on her return to the UK where she was told to continue with her antibiotics and sent for further tests.

Patricia added: “I needed two weeks off from my job as a support worker as I was still in a bit of a state.

“You just never expect something like this to happen to you on your holiday and it was hugely frustrating to see a special break like this end up being ruined. All we want now are answers regarding the problems we faced on the Thomson Dream ship.”