Couple Were Among 11 Holidaymakers Who Took Legal Action Against P&O Cruises

Eleven disgruntled holidaymakers – including a couple celebrating their golden wedding anniversary – have received a combined five-figure settlement after their holidays were ruined by illness aboard the cruise ship Arcadia.

The group, all of whom were passengers on board the ship between January and April 2015, instructed expert international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell after widespread illness issues on board.

Cruise company Carnival PLC, operating as P&O Cruises has now agreed to settle the group action for an undisclosed five-figure sum.

Six of the holidaymakers visited the on board medical centre, while others sought medical attention upon returning to the UK. There was a confirmed case of Campylobacter, which is the most common cause of food poisoning in the UK according to the NHS. The campylobacter bacteria are usually found on raw or undercooked meat, particularly poultry.

Others were diagnosed with a lower respiratory tract infection – a contagious condition which affects the lungs and airways. This kind of infection is known to occur on board the ship, with some nicknaming it the ‘Arcadia cough.’ Irwin Mitchell themselves acted for 14 passengers who travelled on the cruise ship in 2012.

One couple on board the Arcadia and part of the group legal action was David and Doreen Dale, both aged 77. They had booked the cruise to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary, which had been in 2014 – however the couple had to save up given the significant cost and booked to go the year after their anniversary.

While on the cruise, both contracted a respiratory tract infection. Doreen fell ill on only the fourth day of the cruise and sought medical attention in Perth, Australia, as well as in the UK once the couple had returned home. The couple had tried to visit the on board medical centre and enquired about seeing the doctor but were told they were unable to. 

While on board they had a number of concerns, including the air conditioning in their room being too cold. When they asked staff on the cruise ship to turn it off, they were informed this would not be possible. 

Doreen, who is now retired and lives in Whitstable, Kent, said: “I am relieved that our legal battle is finally over. Our cruise was a nightmare and we were so disappointed and upset that our 50th wedding anniversary was ruined and we are glad Irwin Mitchell has managed to achieve a successful outcome for us”.

“Both David and I were really concerned by certain things on board the ship, such as air conditioning units that were leaking and the bed linen not being changed daily. It was obvious that people on board the ship were not well as in the evenings you could hear lots of coughing in the theatre.” 

Another retired couple, Nicholas and Kathleen Wood, 70,  were among the passengers that took legal action after Nicholas, 69, was forced to visit the ship’s medical centre after being ill with a lower respiratory tract infection. The infection left Nicholas with a dry cough and feeling lethargic. 

The couple had informed the expert international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell about their concerns over the hygiene standards on board the ship, including dirty furniture in the cabin, stains on sofas and the public toilets being unclean.

Jennifer Downing, the expert international personal injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who represented the group, said: 

Expert Opinion

“Negotiating and securing this settlement for the passengers who suffered illness on board the Arcadia cruise ship in 2015 will hopefully finally provide a sense of closure for them.

“The ordeal these passengers went through and the problems they suffered as a result highlight how important it is that cruise companies ensure passengers are cared for properly whilst on board.” Jennifer Downing - Solicitor

If you have fallen ill whilst on a cruise ship, our accident and illness abroad claims team could help you to secure compensation. See our Cruise Illness Claims page for more information.