Third Suspected Outbreak On Board Liner In Less Than Six Months

A retired Nottingham couple struck down with suspected norovirus while celebrating their wedding anniversary aboard the Queen Mary II cruise ship have asked lawyers to investigate.

Pamela and Peter Plummer are reportedly among 266 passengers and 19 crew members affected by the outbreak during a 29-day round trip from Southampton to the Eastern Caribbean in March.

International serious injury lawyers instructed by pair

On their return home, the pair aged 73 and 78, from Nottingham, have instructed specialist international personal injury lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate. The firm notably represents around 80 cruise passengers following outbreak on the P&O’s MS Ventura in 2024 and earlier this year.

The incident was reported to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention’s Vessel Sanitation Program. It’s the third suspected outbreak on board the Queen Mary II – run by the Cunard cruise company - since December 2024.

Jatinder Paul is the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Pamela and Peter.

Expert Opinion

“The news of yet another outbreak believed to be on this particular cruise ship – the third in less than six months - is deeply concerning.

“The effects of gastric illness should never be downplayed and, in some cases, can lead to serious long-term health conditions. Norovirus is particularly unpleasant and can even result in long term complications such as kidney failure.

“While nothing can change what Pamela and Peter have been through, we’re determined to provide them with the answers they deserve. It’s also vital that if any issues are found aboard the Queen Mary II, these are resolved immediately to prevent future passengers falling ill.” Jatinder Paul

Holiday illness: Pamela and Peter Plummer's story

Pamela and Peter, both retired teachers were on the Queen Mary II from 8 March to 6 April, 2025. The holiday costing £8,898 was booked through Cunard to celebrate over 50 years together as they were hoping to meet up with a long-standing sporting colleague of Peter’s in Barbados.

However, nine days into the cruise, the couple fell ill with nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting, abdominal pains and a temperature. In the following days they were advised there was a norovirus outbreak. As a result, they were each in turn isolated to their cabin until they were clear of their symptoms for at least 24 hours and were unable to experience four out of the seven Caribbean islands together.

Pamela and Peter told their legal team that from the outset they reported the cabins on board the ship were tired, dated and unclean.

When they returned to the UK, Pamela visited her GP. The couple are continuing to experience ongoing symptoms following the cruise and are continuing to take their time to recover at home.

Pamela speaks out on 'horrible' ordeal

Pamela said: “We’d been looking forward to the cruise for a long time and couldn’t wait to get to Barbados as it was somewhere important to visit for us both.

“But instead of a dream anniversary celebration, it turned out to be the opposite.  We were confined to our room a lot of the time. We’ve never been so ill in our lives and experienced such violent symptoms.

“This ordeal was horrible. Insects were prevalent as food would be left along our corridor for lengthy periods from others confided to their cabins The launderettes were closed because of the illness spreading so passengers couldn’t wash their soiled clothes causing huge inconvenience and expense to passengers.

“If we were aware of the prior history, we’d just stayed at home. Sadly, however, we can’t go back in time. All we want now are some answers.”

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