Lawyers Investigate Conditions On-Board Ship Where Holidaymakers Became Severely Ill

A couple whose dream cruise turned into a ‘nightmare’ after one of them  fell seriously ill with gastric illness  have instructed travel law experts to investigate the conditions on-board the ship.

Robert and Rona Clements booked the two-week trip on the Thomson Spirit Cruise Ship to celebrate Robert’s 67th birthday in April of this year. The cruise was scheduled to sail around the Mediterranean and stop at different ports including Rome and Alicante. Unfortunately whilst onboard the vessel, Robert began to experience gastric illness including diarrhoea, stomach cramps and spasms.

The couple, from Saltcoats in Ayrshire, Scotland both went to see the on-board doctor, who diagnosed Robert with severe gastroenteritis and both were confined to their cabin for 48-hours due to his illness, and were unable to get off the ship to visit the Colosseum in Rome on Robert’s 67th Birthday, as they had planned.  The couple have now instructed international travel law experts at Irwin Mitchell.

Robert explained that on occasion some of the food, had been served lukewarm and on one particular occasion some of the chicken they ate ‘had not been cooked properly’ and tasted peculiar.

Irwin Mitchell has previously been instructed by 12 passengers who were on board the ship in 2013 who suffered from similar symptoms as Robert and Rona. Investigations in relation to that claim continue to be pursued on behalf of the holidaymakers.

Jennifer Downing, a travel law expert from Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

Gastroenteritis can cause huge discomfort and very unpleasant symptoms.

"We are now looking into the conditions on the ship in order to establish why Robert developed gastric illness. We are concerned at the couples reports that other passengers fell ill and we hope that Thomson will assist in our investigations and work with us to help provide the answers our clients are desperately seeking. Jennifer Downing - Solicitor

Robert, who still continues to suffer from illness and has now had to alter his diet because of his ongoing symptoms, said: “I feel very disappointed that I could not celebrate my birthday properly or as planned.

“The whole trip was ruined by the pain and discomfort I have suffered. Having to stay in my cabin whilst being so close to the Colosseum of Rome - a wonder of the world - was a truly terrible and disappointing experience."