58-year-old spent six days in hospital after struggling to breathe

A woman who booked a luxury cruise on board the Thomson Celebration ship with her husband to celebrate their retirement is taking legal action against the cruise operator TUI UK Limited after developing pneumonia on board.

Bernadette Lloyd, from Huddersfield, spent six days in hospital after returning from the 14-day cruise around the Caribbean on board the Thomson Celebration.

She and husband Stephen have now instructed expert International Personal Injury Lawyers Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of their illness. 

Irwin Mitchell has also been instructed to act on behalf of four others who were also passengers on board the cruise ship at the same time as Bernadette and Stephen.

In addition the firm has also been instructed by groups of passengers who suffered illness  on the same ship during voyages in 2014 and 2015, ruining what was supposed to be a relaxing getaway.

“It was a disappointing experience anyway as we had issues with our cabin,” said Bernadette, 58. “On one occasion, the bathroom flooded with dirty water and the air conditioning unit dripped onto our bed throughout the cruise. It wasn’t the way we expected to celebrate our retirement.

“During the last few days of the holiday both Stephen and I felt unwell. By the time we got home Stephen and I were coughing all the time and I just felt tired and weak – as if I was going to pass out. I felt as though I couldn’t breathe. It was frightening.”

Stephen, 65, called an out-of-hours GP to examine Bernadette and the couple were told she needed urgent hospital treatment. They went to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary where Bernadette was admitted and spent six days being treated for pneumonia.

Stephen was prescribed antibiotics for a chest infection.

Expert Opinion

“This was supposed to be a special trip to celebrate a well-deserved retirement. But Bernadette and Stephen’s experience was miserable due to the problems they endured.

“It is extremely concerning to hear of the couples illness suffered whilst on board the Thomson Celebration cruise. What was supposed to be an idyllic relaxing cruise resulted in Bernadette being hospitalised, with pneumonia and Stephen suffering from a chest infection.

“We have launched an investigation into what caused their illness and hope they get answers about how they came to fall ill.” Nichola Blackburn - Paralegal

Bernadette added: “The trip was supposed to be a memorable start to a long and happy retirement, but we won’t be looking back on it fondly. Being so unwell was a very frightening experience, not just for me but Stephen too. I was delirious, I was imagining all sorts of things and I just couldn’t breathe.

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