Expert Travel Illness Lawyers Investigating Cause Of Illness

Twelve passengers whose cruises on board the Thomson Celebration cruise ship in 2014 and 2015 were ‘ruined’ by gastric and respiratory illnesses have instructed expert travel lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate the cause of their Illness.

Among those affected are Stephen Gray, 52 and Christina Gould, 47, from Rednal, Stourbridge, who both required medical assistance during their time on board the ship in December 2014.

Both Stephen and Christina experienced chest problems during their voyage from Bridgetown, Barbados, which went on to travel around the Caribbean, and both ended up receiving antibiotics via an intravenous (IV) drip.

As well as the chest problems they suffered, they both fell ill with diarrhoea and stomach pains during the two-week cruise on the Thomson Celebration, which left them unable to join planned excursions when the ship docked.

Christina, a carer, continued to suffer with the symptoms on her return to the UK and was forced to enlist the help of family in assisting with her work as a carer.

Another passenger, Michael Collins, from Owlthorpe, Sheffield also suffered gastric illness while on board the Thomson-operated ship during a cruise with his wife at the end of September 2014.

Just a few days into the cruise he began suffering with stomach pains and diarrhoea and was treated by staff on board the ship. His symptoms persisted for a number of days and he collapsed as he disembarked the ship as it docked.

He was taken to hospital and diagnosed with dehydration as a result of the symptoms he had suffered. He spent two days in hospital in Marmaris, Turkey before being discharged to go back to a hotel.

Jennifer Downing, an expert travel illness lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, said:

Expert Opinion

“It is extremely concerning to hear reports of illness problems on board a number of different Thomson Celebration cruises.

“We now represent 12 holidaymakers who suffered illness problems on the ship during voyages in 2014 and 2015. Their holidays were far from the idyllic relaxing cruises they were expecting with some of our clients hospitalised and others having suffered significant gastric symptoms.

“They are all still looking for answers about the ordeal they endured during what was supposed to be a relaxing holiday and we have launched an investigation into what caused their illness.” Jennifer Downing - Solicitor

The concerned passengers reported to their legal team at Irwin Mitchell that food was on occasion served lukewarm, that some of the food was left uncovered and that the use of alcohol gel, designed to prevent the spread of illness through the ship, was not always monitored or enforced after people fell ill on the ship.

Michael, 69, said: “I felt absolutely terrible for the last week of the cruise and suffered with terrible symptoms. The trip was completely ruined as I couldn’t enjoy the facilities or the excursions that were booked.

“I was extremely concerned when I collapsed as I left the ship and the last thing you expect when booking a holiday is to end up stuck in a foreign hospital for two days recovering from dehydration and the significant symptoms I endured.

“We have been left with awful memories of this holiday and we hope by instructing Irwin Mitchell we will get the answers we want about why we fell so ill.”

Stephen recalled: “Both Christina and I suffered from chest pains and tiredness on board the ship and just when we thought the illness problems were over we were both hit with terrible gastric symptoms, which left us both requiring medical assistance.

“The holiday was completely ruined by the illness we suffered and we couldn’t enjoy it as we had hoped to when we booked it. Ultimately, we have been left extremely angry and frustrated at the illnesses we suffered and it appears that it wasn’t just us who fell ill on board this ship.

“We want to know what caused the illnesses we suffered and after others fell ill on previous cruises, if more could have been done to prevent us and others falling ill.”