Carnival pays out six figure sum to passengers hit by tummy bug
Carnival has had to pay out more than £100,000 after passengers were struck down with a tummy bug on board the Grand Princess.
More than 45 passengers said their trips were ruined after suffering from sickness, diarrhoea and agonising stomach cramps between April and August 2010 and blamed poor hygiene.
They complained about some food being served cold and left uncovered for long periods of time during the meal sitting and some of the communal facilities being dirty and shabby.
Carnival, trading as Princess Cruises, has agreed to pay damages totalling over £100,000.
Elizabeth Tetzner, a specialist travel lawyer at Irwin Mitchell who led the case, said: "We are delighted for our clients that they have now received a fair settlement from the cruise operator after enduring such terrible times on board the Grand Princess Cruise.
"What is particularly concerning about this case is that it would appear that the ship’s staff were clearly aware of the risk of gastric illness because a number of our clients have reported how they were delayed boarding due to a deep clean taking place.
"But despite this we were instructed by over 45 passengers, the majority of whom had all fallen ill during a four month period.
"Sadly we continue to hear from passengers who fall ill on cruise ships as a result of poor hygiene standards and we remain very concerned that cruise operators have not learned vital lessons.
"All too often holidaymakers suffer illness, sometimes with life changing consequences due to inadequate health and hygiene standards and it is not acceptable."
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