10.02.2015
Stephen Gray and his partner Christine Gould booked a two-week trip on the Thomson Celebration cruise liner to visit the Caribbean over the Christmas and New Year period.
However, while on board the vessel, both Stephen, from Stourbridge, and Christine, from Rubery, Birmingham, began to suffer breathing difficulties and experienced coughing fits. Both began to suffer problems with their mobility and visited the on-board doctor, where they were both placed on IV drips and given Oxygen to assist with their breathing.
Their illness came shortly after the engine and the air conditioning units of the Thomson Celebration failed on 22 January. The couple recall that they, and other passengers, began coughing when these were turned back on and they also noticed a strange smell on the ship during the cruise.
Stephen, 51, said: “Our Christmas trip which we had been looking forward to for a long time was ruined by the illness we suffered and the mechanical problems the ship suffered.
“We feel completely let down by our cruise experience and it is appalling that we ended up being placed on a drip on what was supposed to be a relaxing break. Our nightmare didn’t end when we left the ship either, as I was forced to take a week off work and Christine has still not been able to return to her job.
“We hope that our legal team at Irwin Mitchell will be able to help us understand exactly what caused us, and other passengers, to fall so ill whilst onboard the ship.”
Specialist Illness Lawyers Investigating Illness following cruise on board Thomson Celebration
A couple whose dream Christmas and New Year cruise was ‘ruined’ when they both fell seriously ill and had to be placed on IV drips have instructed travel law experts at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of their illness.Stephen Gray and his partner Christine Gould booked a two-week trip on the Thomson Celebration cruise liner to visit the Caribbean over the Christmas and New Year period.
However, while on board the vessel, both Stephen, from Stourbridge, and Christine, from Rubery, Birmingham, began to suffer breathing difficulties and experienced coughing fits. Both began to suffer problems with their mobility and visited the on-board doctor, where they were both placed on IV drips and given Oxygen to assist with their breathing.
Their illness came shortly after the engine and the air conditioning units of the Thomson Celebration failed on 22 January. The couple recall that they, and other passengers, began coughing when these were turned back on and they also noticed a strange smell on the ship during the cruise.
Stephen, a civil engineer, continued to suffer symptoms on his return to the UK and was forced to take a week off work, while Christine, a carer, has not been allowed to return to work until her symptoms improve.Expert Opinion
It is extremely concerning to hear reports of illness on board this cruise ship.
“This was supposed to be an enjoyable Christmas break for Stephen and Christine, but they have been left understandably angry about their experience. The last thing they expected was to be visiting the on-board doctor and suffering with breathing difficulties.
“We are now looking into the cause of the illness to establish exactly what caused the symptoms suffered by Stephen and Christine. We are concerned at the couple’s report that other passengers fell ill and we hope that Thomson will assist in our investigation and help us provide answers our client are desperately looking for.
“We would welcome any passengers who may be able to assist with our investigations to come forward and provide us with their account of events.”
Jennifer Downing - Solicitor
Stephen, 51, said: “Our Christmas trip which we had been looking forward to for a long time was ruined by the illness we suffered and the mechanical problems the ship suffered.
“We feel completely let down by our cruise experience and it is appalling that we ended up being placed on a drip on what was supposed to be a relaxing break. Our nightmare didn’t end when we left the ship either, as I was forced to take a week off work and Christine has still not been able to return to her job.
“We hope that our legal team at Irwin Mitchell will be able to help us understand exactly what caused us, and other passengers, to fall so ill whilst onboard the ship.”
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