Demand For Answers Regarding Issues On P&O’s Ventura Ship

A couple, whose special break on board P&O’s Ventura cruise ship earlier this year was ruined by serious gastric illness, have called on legal experts to investigate the cause of the illness on what was meant to be a luxury holiday.

Paul Sutton, 59, from Lancashire, needed tablets and an injection after being diagnosed with gastroenteritis part way into his break on board the vessel with partner Linda Purnell, 61, at the end of March 2017.

His symptoms proved so severe that he was left wheelchair-bound whilst on the cruise ship, and felt embarrassed to be taken in the public lifts on the ship by the porter when only in his dressing gown. Upon his return to the UK, he also needed two days of hospital treatment due to the illness he was suffering from.

Following the problems, the couple have instructed Irwin Mitchell’s specialist International Personal Injury team to determine the cause of Paul’s illness.

Nichola Blackburn, the legal expert at Irwin Mitchell who is representing Paul and Linda, said: 

Expert Opinion

“It has been very worrying to hear the first-hand account of what our clients faced during their stay on board the Ventura and, following their instruction, we are determined to help them gain answers regarding what they faced.

“The case is also a clear reminder of the huge consequences that gastric illnesses can have on those affected, often leading them to suffer long-term issues which in some cases they never fully recover from.

“Everything possible should always be done to protect cruise ship passengers from the risk of illness.” Nichola Blackburn - Paralegal

Paul and Linda’s cruise on the Ventura began on March 21st, with Paul developing illness around six days into the trip.

Linda said: “It was awful seeing how the illness affected Paul and I honestly cannot recall seeing him so ill. While the ship doctor treated him, we were disappointed with how the rest of the staff generally looked after him.

“We’d asked to use the service lift when moving around the ship but were told this was not possible. This was quite humiliating for Paul as it often meant he was in the lift in a wheelchair and in his dressing gown with a disposable sick bowl when other passengers were dressed for meals. He also had a couple of accidents in our room due to his illness and we were less than impressed with how the cleaners handled it. It just did not seem hygienic.”

Linda added that Paul’s struggles continued upon his return to the UK too.

She explained: “Paul was taken to hospital as soon as the ship got back to the UK and was in there for two days. He was placed into an isolation ward and initially was not allowed any visitors, which left us confused as to why the ship staff were still happy for him to use public lifts while on board.

“Once we got home he even took to living in our caravan outside the house as he wanted to avoid passing anything on to my 91-year-old mother who I care for full-time.

“We just cannot believe that what was meant to be a special holiday was ruined in this way, with the issues going on to have a lasting impact. Both of us feel we deserve some answers regarding the illness Paul suffered.”